A string of failings was identified after an investigation into the death of a crew member on board an Isle of Man-registered vessel.

The investigation into the tragedy, which happened in Sweden, was carried out by the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) on behalf of the Isle of Man Ship Registry.

A report has now been published identifying six failings following the death of bosun Antonio Competente, 51, who fell from the BW Group bulker World Prize.

The vessel, carrying 19 crew members, was three nautical miles east of the port of Ronnskar while preparing for a pilot transfer.

The report says two pilots were on board to guide the vessel from its berth. They were due to leave around an hour later, and the crew prepared the pilot ladder for their disembarkation.

As the ladder was lowered, Mr Competente lost his balance and fell overboard.

The report said: 'The bosun straightened up, appeared to lose his balance and fell headfirst through the unguarded opening at the top of the pilot ladder.

'The bosun glanced off [a crewman's] left shoulder as he fell, before striking the lower platform of the accommodation ladder and falling into the sea.'

The vessel turned around and launched its rescue boat. Crew located Mr Competente and attempted to bring him aboard, but he sank beneath the surface. His body was recovered from the seabed by police divers the following day.

A post-mortem found he had suffered head injuries but ultimately died from drowning.

The MAIB report identified a number of failings following its investigation.

It described the procedure used to rig the pilot ladder on board the World Prize as 'unsafe', adding that it had become normalised practice.

The report also raised concerns that crew members working near an unguarded deck edge were not equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment to prevent falls or arrest them should they occur.

It found the risk mitigation measures set out in the permit-to-work system used to manage safety on board the World Prize had not been strictly followed, while supervision during the rigging of the pilot ladder was 'ineffective in ensuring it was conducted in a safe manner'.

The report also concluded there was too much emphasis on safety documentation rather than ensuring procedures were followed in practice.

It also highlighted concerns over a lack of training in recovering an unconscious person from the water.

However, all of the issues raised in the report have since been addressed and no further recommendations have been made.

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