A deckhand was killed on a UK scallop dredger after a derrick chain failed without warning, causing heavy gear to fall nearly 11 metres during routine operations in the English Channel, according to The Fishing Daily, citing a report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).

The victim, 35-year-old Denver Teleron, died late on 6 October 2023 while the vessel Honeybourne III was operating about 16 nautical miles south of Newhaven.

He was struck on the head by a towing block after a 32mm chain link in the port derrick quick-release assembly fractured.

Despite immediate first aid and a large-scale rescue response, he was pronounced dead shortly after midnight, The Fishing Daily reports.

Chain failure during gear recovery

The MAIB found that the failure occurred as the dredging gear was being hauled tight against safety chains.

Shock loads exceeded regular working forces, while the chain was forced to bend sharply over a static pin, creating extreme stress in the outermost link, which failed catastrophically.

Wear, design and inspection faults

Investigators identified severe wear on the chain, static pin and associated components, even though the gear had been replaced the year before.

Onboard inspections were repeatedly rated “satisfactory” but lacked clear criteria and were conducted without formal training. Similar chain failures had previously occurred within the same fleet.

Safety system and oversight gaps

The MAIB also highlighted wider safety management failures, The Fishing Daily notes, including crew routinely working beneath suspended loads and the use of non-approved safety helmets.

The report further criticised regulatory oversight, saying survey regimes did not adequately assess lifting gear condition or inspection competence.

Following the fatality, the vessel’s owner has changed lifting arrangements, strengthened inspection regimes and updated safety procedures.

The MAIB has issued sector-wide recommendations urging operators to review chain-over-pin systems to prevent similar accidents, according to The Fishing Daily.