Man died after fall from 'unsafe' tall ship gangway

A sailing ship, where a volunteer fell and drowned, did not have a safe means of access from its gangway, a report has stated.

Mark Glover, 64, fell from the boat's gangway as he was returning to the Pelican of London moored in Sharpness Docks, Gloucestershire.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) report said Mr Glover was above the legal limit for duty on board a sailing ship when he fell and drowned on the evening of 2 October 2023.

The report recommended the vessel's owners, Seas Your Future, to review policy and procedure for dealing with drugs and or alcohol. The charity has since improved handholds and rigging to their gangway.

A report into the death said the vessel's drug and alcohol policy did not specify parameters for crew returning from time ashore.

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.

The report said Mr Glover, a professional seafarer and a volunteer relief cook, 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 3 October 2023.

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.

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