Mowi Scotland fined £800,000 over death of salmon farm worker who drowned after being crushed by boat

A salmon farming firm has been fined £800,000 over the death of a worker who was crushed and drowned when he fell into the water during a boat transfer.

Mowi Scotland Limited was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £60,000 after Clive Hendry, 58, was killed at Ardintoul fish farm within Loch Alsh in February 2020.

Mr Hendry was seriously injured after being struck by vessel Beinn na Caillich during a “touch and go” transfer to a floating structure known as a sea cap.

A technician on board the boat ran to Mr Hendry’s aid when he saw him “struggling and distressed” while trying to hold onto the sea cap’s ladder, however the assistant fish farm manager slipped out of his lifejacket and into the water for around 20 seconds.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said despite the efforts of colleagues, emergency services and medical staff, Mr Hendry could not be resuscitated.

Fife-based Mowi Scotland pleaded guilty to health and safety breaches at Inverness Sheriff Court on Tuesday.

Debbie Carroll, head of health and safety investigations at COPFS, said: “Clive Hendry was much loved by his partner and a well-liked and respected man by friends and colleagues. Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.”

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The incident happened as Mr Hendry attempted to step through a gate on the boat to the ladder on the barge.

An investigation by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency found that Mowi Scotland did not have an effective system in place in regards to the safe transfer of employees from a vessel to a structure such as a sea cap.

The court heard the firm also failed to provide supervision to ensure lifejackets were properly tightened and secured.

Since Mr Hendry’s death, unsecured “touch and go” transfers have been stopped and life-sized mannequins are now used to “add reality” to man overboard drills.

Ms Carroll added: “Since this incident the company has introduced new risk assessments and has put into practice safe systems of work.

“Had these been in place at the time then Mr Hendry’s transfer from the Beinn na Caillich to the sea cap would have taken place without incident and he would be alive today.”