A DREDGER sparked an emergency lifeboat scramble from Angus yesterday, just days after its safety was criticised following a crewman’s death.
Scallop boat, the St Amant, called for help around 9.30am after suffering a sudden engine failure 12 miles from Arbroath.
The Ballantrae-registered vessel was at the centre of a Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) report last week, probing the death of Steven Robertson (25), who fell to his death in waters off the Anglesey coast on January 13 last year.
The report said there was an “extremely poor attitude” to safety issues from owner Richard Gidney, of Gatehouse of Fleet, near Kirkcudbright.
Arbroath’s all-weather lifeboat was launched yesterday, but the crew of the St Amant were able to get the engine started before their arrival.
In May last year the vessel ran aground within a stone’s throw of Arbroath Harbour in an area known as the Bar.
Arbroath RNLI were called out on that occasion.
The year-long MAIB investigation into Mr Robertson’s death found the deck of the 58ft St Amant had walls lower than the minimum statutory height at the time of the accident.
An exemption granted to the vessel for the size of its deck walls had not been reviewed in accordance with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) procedures, and the written risk assessments for its operation were also inadequate.
The probe also found precautions that might have prevented the accident were not put into practice, and that Mr Robertson had not been wearing a lifejacket.
The vessel was heading from Holyhead towards fishing grounds in Cardigan Bay when the accident happened.
Mr Robertson was lost overboard between around 12.45am and 1.45am but nobody saw him fall in the water.
He was last seen on board vessel around 1.2 miles west of Anglesey’s South Stack, with an extensive search failing to locate him.
Since the incident, recommendations have been made to the MCA to review aspects of its survey and inspection policy for fishing vessels.
Night Valley Ltd, owned by Mr Gidney, was recommended to take action to improve the safety of the working practices on board and the hazard awareness of the crew. Mr Gidney could not be contacted yesterday.
gbletcher@thecourier.co.uk