Crew were pulling and setting single pot crab gear over the starboard side. A crewmember was replacing bait in a trap when the buoy line for that trap became entangled in the propeller. He held onto the trap and was pulled overboard with it.

The crewmember was not wearing a PFD. He seemed unaware of a line floating nearby, probably as a result of panic from the effects of cold water on his body. Another crewmember jumped overboard and secured him with a line. The crew were able to pull him onboard after only 11 minutes in the water, but he could not be revived.

• Where possible, install a lifeline or other guarding to prevent crew from entering the water.
• Wear a personal flotation device (PFD) if there is any risk of falling overboard.
• Practise emergency drills so that all crewmembers are able to recover a person overboard as quickly as possible.
• Ensure that someone on the vessel is trained in first aid and CPR.

For more information on cold water immersion, see the WorkSafe bulletin "Cold Water Immersion" available on WorkSafeBC.com.