More people could have died on fishing boat

A fatal accident onboard a fishing boat in an Aberdeenshire harbour nearly resulted in multiple deaths, an investigation has found.

A report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has made safety recommendations after the “tragic accident” in Fraserburgh.

William Ironside, 52, died, while several other men fell ill while working on the Sunbeam in August.

The MAIB report contains recommendations for the boat’s owners related to entering and working in refrigerated saltwater (RSW) tanks used for storing fish onboard.

Their investigation found Mr Ironside, a second engineer, had been found lying unconscious inside one of the Sunbeam’s RSW tanks on 14 August. It is thought he had entered the tank to sweep out residual seawater as part of preparations for a deep clean.

Three of the boat’s crew, who climbed inside to try to resuscitate him, also became dizzy, confused and short of breath.

One was able to climb out of the tank unaided, while a further two members of the crew wearing breathing apparatus pulled out the others.

Mr Ironside could not be resuscitated and died.

The presence of a toxic refrigerant gas used in the RSW tank’s refrigeration plant was detected.