Humber pilot was 'not fully fit' before sea death

A Humber pilot who died while attempting to board a ship in the estuary should not have been declared fully fit for duty, an investigation has found.

Francesco Galia - described as "respected and experienced" - probably suffered a "cardiac event", causing him to let go of a ladder and fall into the water on 8 January 2023, states a report published by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).

Investigators also found that a defective recovery platform, used to recover him, had "reduced his chance of survival". Galia, 67, was in the water for 40 minutes, states the report.

The Associated British Ports (ABP) said it had "engaged fully" with the MAIB throughout its investigation.

Galia's medical history showed he had a heart attack at work in 2011 and a stroke while at home in 2018.

He also suffered from high blood pressure, knee pain and obesity.

The report found that a seafarer's medical certificate issued to Galia six months before his death "should not have declared him fully fit for duty" due to his chronic health conditions.

The MAIB said Galia's colleagues had raised "concerns about his fitness" and had tried to "dissuade him from working" on the day of the incident.

"The investigation found that it was probable that the pilot suffered a cardiac event that caused him to let go of the ladder and fall," the report states.

Galia fell from a ladder "without warning" as he tried to board the cargo vessel Finnhawk at around 13:00 GMT.

He landed on the deckhouse and safety rail of the pilot vessel, Humber Saturn, causing him back injuries before he then fell overboard.

Galia spent about 40 minutes in the water before he was recovered by an RNLI lifeboat and flown to hospital by the coastguard helicopter where he was pronounced dead, states the report.

Other findings of the report found that he experienced "prolonged semi-immersion" in the sea due to the fault with the recovery platform.

Andrew Moll, MAIB's chief inspector of marine accidents, said: "Pilot transfers are challenging and potentially hazardous and fortunately most are conducted without incident.

"Tragically, however, on 8 January 2023 this was not the case and a respected and experienced marine pilot lost his life."

A recommendation has been made to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to provide guidance for ships to carry alternative means of rescuing a person.

ABP has been recommended to update its pilots' personal protective equipment (PPE), where necessary, and to improve their survivability in cold water.

The company said it had introduced an improved medical standard for its pilots and upgraded its pilot vessels' ability to recover an unconscious person from the water following the incident.

An ABP spokesperson said: "ABP maintains a relentless focus on safety, and ABP will continue to work with the rest of the ports industry to ensure that any further relevant lessons identified in this report are acted upon.

"Our thoughts remain with Francesco Galia's family, friends and colleagues."

A Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said: "We will carefully consider MAIB's recommendations within our ongoing work of enhancing and upholding safety standards to ensure those working around vessels can do so safely and with confidence."

An inquest into Galia's death is scheduled to take place in Hull on 13 April.

Listen to highlights fromHull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look Northor tell us about a story you think we should be coveringhere.

Download the BBC News app from the App Storefor iPhone and iPad orGoogle Play for Android devices