Last updated at 19:27, Thursday, 19 May 2011

Three Maryport fishermen, who drowned after their scallop dredger capsized off Scotland, had returned to the area with new trawling equipment fitted to the vessel after a successful catch earlier in the day, an inquiry heard this week.

The fatal accident inquiry into the deaths of Aquila skipper Tony Hayton, 45, and crewmen Peter Hilton and Martin Sanderson, both 52, heard from Marine Accident Investigation Branch inspectors.

Captain Michael John Evans, lead inspector, told the hearing at Fort William Sheriff Court that the crew fitted new tooth bars to their dredging nets before returning to the Bo Faskadale area, where the tragedy happened.

He said: “The teeth scrape along the bottom and dig into the sand deeper and potentially catch a lot more.

“Although you’re increasing the chances of a good catch, you’re also increasing the chances of a snag.”

The branch’s report said that after the Aquila’s trawl wires had snagged on rocks, Mr Hayton put the boat’s gearbox into neutral before it capsized in July 2009.

Capt Evans said: “He was aware of the snag and was responding in the correct way. However, the high level of upward pressure on the bottom of the boat due to the conditions, coupled with the snag, meant this did not have an affect on the outcome.”

He said a delay in a helicopter reaching the scene of the accident had not had affected the outcome.

The delay came about after co-ordination responsibility was handed from Clyde Coastguard to Stornaway Coastguard.

He said that, if the first helicopter called by Clyde Coastguard had not been stood down, a helicopter would have reached the scene about 23 minutes earlier.

However, he said the investigation concluded that “while regrettable, it is considered unlikely that this delay affected the tragic outcome of the accident”.

Clyde Coastguard called a helicopter within minutes of receiving the 999 call. However, they stood it down after realising the incident was located within Stornoway Coastguard’s jurisdiction.

Capt Evans, who was the last of the Crown witnesses to give evidence, said the purpose of his investigation was not to apportion blame or liability but to prevent future accidents and increase safety.

The inquiry is due to continue on June 6 and 7 and is expected to hear from Dr Frank Golden, an expert in seamanship safety.

First published at 19:22, Thursday, 19 May 2011
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk