The skipper of a French-registered fishing vessel has been fined €500 over a defective boarding ladder which broke as a fisheries inspector began climbing it during an inspection in Irish waters.
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) said Alberto Barreiro Faria, master of the Faro Picamillo, was convicted at Bantry District Court on September 23rd.
Barreiro Faria, who has an address in Spain, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with legal requirements to provide a boarding ladder which facilitated the safe boarding of a fisheries inspection officer and to ensure the ladder was in good order.
Ladder Rope Broke During Inspection
The offence was detected during an inspection in Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by inspectors operating from the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) patrol vessel Ocean Guardian.
The court heard that a side rope on the boarding ladder deployed by the fishing vessel’s crew broke just as an EFCA inspector began climbing it during a routine inspection.
With assistance, the inspector was able to return safely to the patrol vessel’s Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB).
The court heard evidence highlighting the importance of the condition of boarding ladders to the safety of inspectors working at sea.
Vessel Detained at Castletownbere
Following the incident, the Faro Picamillo was directed to Castletownbere and detained by An Garda Síochána.
The skipper was subsequently charged following a direction from the Director of Public Prosecutions, leading to the conviction and €500 fine.
SFPA Stresses Inspector Safety
An SFPA spokesperson said the health and safety of sea-fisheries protection officers and inspectors performing their duties was “of the utmost importance”.
“Vessel owners and fishing masters must comply with their responsibilities to take all steps to always ensure the maintenance and provision of compliant and safe boarding ladders for inspectors,” the spokesperson said.
“To this end, boarding ladders must be regularly checked.”
The SFPA also commended the inspectors involved, along with SFPA officers and An Garda Síochána, for their roles in the enforcement process.
