PELICAN OF LONDON

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Report: Death of cook oculd have been prevented

On Sep 12, 2024, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published its report into the drowning death of a cook on board the 'Pelican of London' on Oct 2, 2023, in the port of Sharpness (Gloucestershire), which could possibly have been prevented. The cook fell between two stools after a night out when he boarded the ship via the gangway upon his return. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch investigated and made recommendations in a safety bulletin. The sailing training vessel was moored at the quayside in Sharpness for maintenance. Mark Glover (64) was a volunteer cook. He had been ashore that evening and had probably been drinking. Upon his return, Glover, an experienced seaman, tried to board the ship via the gangway. However, he lost his balance when he tried to take the last step of the gangway onto the ship. He was not reported missing until the next morning. On the afternoon of Oct 3, police divers found his body in the water at the quay. The MAIB noted that there were no specific rules on board the ship regarding the use of alcohol and drugs. The crew members had no guidelines on how much alcohol was still acceptable and when it was no longer responsible to come on board in an apparent state. The gangway was a second risk factor. The mandatory safety rope as a hand guide was not adequate: the rope was too slack. Furthermore, the net to catch someone who unexpectedly fell was not properly installed. It served more as a slide than as a safety net For good safety, the handrail must be at least one metre high. The safety net under the gangway must be carefully installed under the entire span between the quay and the ship. Full report: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66dee82b0f4ba0621b08665c/2024-10-PelicanOfLondon-Report.pdf

Report into fatal fall accident published

Mr. Glover, a professional seafarer and a volunteer relief cook, was above the legal limit for duty on board the 'Pelican of London' when he fell to his death into the dry dock of Sharpness Docks in Gloucestershire, on the evening of Oct 2, 2023. A Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) report into the death said the vessel's drug and alcohol policy did not specify parameters for crew returning on board from recreational time ashore. The report recommended the vessel's owners, Seas Your Future, to review and amend the fleet policy and procedure for dealing with drugs and or alcohol. The MAIB said drug and alcohol policies in place did not help crew members recognise the limits that applied to crew returning from recreational time ashore. The report also found there was no safe means of access to the vessel from the gangway and on board training and risk assessments did not mitigate the risk of fall from the area. Seas Your Future, a charity who take young people from disadvantaged backgrounds on tall ship voyages, were also recommended to amend and review their policy and training for the rigging and approval of the gangway when used and their risk assessment procedure. Glover had lost his balance as he went to step down from the inboard end of the gangway onto the top step of the bulwark ladder when returning on board the vessel. His fall was neither prevented by the guard rope or by the gangway net. Under the influence of alcohol, and likely suffering from cold water shock, he was unable to climb out of the water and rapidly succumbed to drowning. The report also said how his absence was not noted until the following morning, with a search later taking place. His body was recovered by police divers on the afternoon of Oct 3. Following the incident, Seas Your Future have made a number of changes - including introducing an approval process for rigging and making the gangway safe, fitted bulwark stanchions to provide secure handholds when joining and departing the ship and revised the drug and alcohol policy. They have also made amendments to the SMS and emergency procedures, including for missing persons.

Medevac off Newhaven

The RNLI Newhaven’s lifeboat 'David and Elizabeth Acland' and her volunteer crew were tasked by the HM Coastguard on May 18, 2021, at 4.57 a.m. after the 'Pelican of London', had reported a medical emergency. The casualty, a 29 year old crew member was receiving medical attention for a compromised airway from a medic on board. The Lifeboat launched, proceeding towards the last reported position of the vessel, approximately 15 miles Southwest of Newhaven Harbour. The Rescue helicopter 175 was also scrambled from Lee-on-the-Solent. The HM Coastguard requested the tall ship to steer a new course, heading towards Newhaven, closing the distance, to shorten the interception. The tall ship had set sail from Folkestone on May 17, beginning a 13-week voyage to circumnavigate the UK with Darwin200 2021. She was heading to Poole avoiding the worst of the storms as she set off with some new trainee crew who had joined in Folkestone. One of the new crew members fell ill in the early hours, and his condition deteriorated such that at just before 5am it was assessed that his life was in danger and the decision was made to medivac immediately. Weather conditions of Force 3 to 4 west by south-west, with good visibility and moderate sea state of two metre swell. The rescue helicopter was in the process of lowering the high line onto the port quarter of the 'Pelican of London' prior to sending down the winchman. The lifeboat stemmed the vessel’s starboard quarter approximately 50 metres off, until the helicopter was clear. The lifeboat prepared to transfer two crew from the lifeboat onto the 'Pelican of London' to assist the winchman in casualty care, first attempting an approach towards the starboard quarter of the vessel. It became evident the vessel’s outriggers on the side of the hull would cause considerable damage to the lifeboat. The approach angle was adjusted ahead towards the beam of the vessel, allowing little more than a metre of clearance to the stern of the lifeboat from the outrigger. Two crew members of the lifeboat were successfully transferred to assist with casualty care. The lifeboat stood off, awaiting a situation report. The decision was made to winch the casualty off by helicopter. The rescue helicopter made an approach to the port quarter and executed another hi-line transfer to get the winchman and casualty up to the helicopter. The two lifeboat crew on board Pelican of London assisted the hi-line extraction of the casualty. The rescue helicopter departed the scene at 6.25 a.m., taking the casualty directly to Brighton General Hospital (BGH) for further care. Once helicopter operations were completed, the RNLI Coxswain, Lewis Arnold, requested the 'Pelican of London' to alter their course down sea, for safe-transfer of his crew back onto the lifeboat. The transfer was successfully made. The lifeboat departed the scene at 6.35 a.m., returning to Newhaven. The 'Pelican of London' resumed the passage to Poole, where she berthed in the evening of May 18. B Report with video: https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2021/may/26/tall-ship-mayday-for-newhaven-lifeboat