Penzance skipper fined after 'man overboard' incident
A Penzance fishing boat skipper has been fined following a "man overboard" accident in December last year.
Wayne Evans, a 30-year-old deck hand on the Penzance registered Ocean Spray, was pulled under the water by a fishing net anchor.
He suffered a fractured rib and soft tissue damage to his legs and arms.
Skipper Peter Laity pleaded guilty at Camborne Magistrates' Court to employing Mr Evans knowing he had not completed the relevant safety courses.
Pulled on board
The court was told the vessel was shooting its nets off Newlyn when there was a problem with the gear.
It was as Mr Evans attempted to solve the problem that he was pulled into the sea.
Despite the darkness and a moderate swell, he managed to work his way along the net line to the trawler where he was pulled back on board.
Laity was fined £600 and ordered to pay £500 in costs.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said it hoped the outcome of the court case would remind skippers, boat owners and crew of the importance of mandatory safety training courses.