Death of fisherman in rope tragedy ‘an accident’

CREW ON a Yorkshire Coast fishing boat struggled in vain to save the life of a colleague who had been pulled overboard by a rope putting crab and lobster pots into the sea, an inquest has heard.

A jury returned a verdict of accidental death on Darren Morley, 41, who had been a member of the crew of the Scarborough fishing boat Enterprise.

The fisherman died when the tragedy happened off Robin Hood’s Bay last November. His widow, Donna, said in a statement at the hearing at Scarborough Town Hall: “I had always dreaded getting a knock on the door (from the police) but I never thought it would happen.”

Ronald Ford, the boat owner, who had been in the wheelhouse, said Mr Morley had been a crew member for two years and risk assessments had been regularly carried out. “It is understood that you don’t stand near ropes when shooting pots,” he added. “I got hold of the rope to try to pull Darren out of the water but the boat began to turn. We all pulled as hard as we could.”

Liam Fishburn, a fellow crewman, said he had previously told Mr Morley about stepping out of the safe zone.

A rescue helicopter and lifeboats from Scarborough and Whitby were launched and Mr Morley, of Seamer Street, Scarborough, was hauled back on board. But attempts to save him failed.

Adrian Lambert, an inspector with the Marine Accident Investigation Bureau, said: “It was not surprising that he was unable to prevent himself being dragged into the sea and the crew had no time to cut the rope. The deckhands had been very quick to respond to pull Darren to the surface.”

Speaking after the accident, friend Chris Townsend, who is manager of TG Wood Fish Preparation and Wholesale, said: “Everyone in the harbour is in shock. He was a good lad and everyone liked him.”

A number of people paid tribute on social media at the time.