Deckhand killed after fishing gear failure on Peterhead registered Honeybourne III, investigation finds

A deckhand was fatally injured on board a Peterhead fishing boat after being struck by suspended gear, an investigation by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has found.

The MAIB report found that on October 6, 2023, 16 nautical miles south of Newhaven, England, a section of chain supporting the Honeybourne III’s fishing gear failed, allowing the towing block to fall suddenly to the deck.

The falling equipment struck deckhand Denver Teleron, 35, from the Philippines, who was working below at the time, causing fatal injuries.

Investigators identified a number of safety issues linked to the failure.

The report concluded that high loading and bending forces acting on the outer chain links of the quick-release assembly, where the chain was led over a static pin, significantly increased stress within the links.

It also found that the strength of the chain on the port quick-release gear was likely reduced due to the hardness of the material.

The investigation further found that the vessel’s on-board inspection regime for lifting equipment did not identify any obvious defects in the quick-release arrangement prior to the accident.

As a result of its findings, the MAIB has recommended that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency take action to reduce the risks associated with using a chain led over a static pin as the sole means of supporting a suspended load.

The recommendation calls on the MCA to conduct a “focused inspection campaign” on board relevant UK scallop dredgers and beam trawlers.

The MAIB said Honeybourne III’s owner, Macduff Shellfish (Scotland) Ltd, had reviewed and amended its procedure for the management of lifting equipment inspections on board.