Death of man who drowned in harbour was accident

The death of a fisherman who drowned after falling off a ladder into Douglas Harbour was an accident, an inquest has ruled.

The body of Lee Scott was recovered from the water by divers on 13 November following a five-day search operation.

The 46-year-old, who lived in Douglas, lost his footing as he made his way off a friend's fishing boat on the morning of 8 November as he collected equipment from the vessel.

Coroner James Brooks said Mr Scott was likely to have been weighted down by the items he was carrying when he fell into the water.

The inquest heard Mr Scott had phoned his friend to ask if he could borrow some fishing equipment and was told he could collect it from the other man's boat, the Manx Maiden.

CCTV footage showed him arriving at the harbour shortly before 09:45 GMT carrying a black bag, which he left on the pier near to his own vessel.

He was then captured walking along to the area his friend's vessel was berthed before climbing down a harbour ladder to get onto the boat.

The inquest was told that Mr Scott had a "difficult relationship with alcohol" and had gone for a drink at the nearby Old Market Inn shortly before making his way to the harbour.

Toxicology reports showed his alcohol levels were more than twice the legal limit for driving at the time of his death.

He was reported missing on the morning of 9 November by his then partner who had not heard from him.

Evidence from a diver who recovered Mr Scott's body from the harbour stated lead rope, a fire extinguisher and two bags containing fishing tools and safety equipment, including a lifejacket, were found on the seabed in the area.

The items were spotted beside a piece of the lower section of a harbour ladder, which was rusty and had broken off, the inquest was told.

In her evidence, Mr Scott's mother Joan Scott described her son as a sociable person who was "kind and considerate".

"My life will never be the same without Lee. I hope he rests in peace in heaven," she added.

Mr Brooks said he was "satisfied" that Mr Scott had been able to board the boat on 8 November to collect the items but had fallen into the harbour when attempting to climb off the vessel carrying them.

Given the weight of the equipment, his intoxication levels, and the likelihood that the lower part of the ladder was already missing at the time, he had lost his footing and was weighed down by the items after falling into the water, the coroner added.

He concluded the death was accidental.

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