Concerns raised 6 Failure to close the pier to public access when unsafe conditions are present View source Harbour currents making swimming to safety difficult View source Lack of access ladders or a refuge area for people in the water View source Lack of railing protection alongside harbour and pier sheer drops View source Inadequate lighting on the pier View source Unaddressed trip hazards around the harbour wall View source See 3 more concerns
Responses linked to these concerns
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AI-generated summary
James Francis PARSONS · Prevention of Future Deaths report
This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.
Report summary
James Francis PARSONS died by drowning at Porthleven Harbour on 23 April 2022 after falling from the harbour wall into the water. The report identified safety concerns including sheer drops without railings, trip hazards, poor lighting, the absence of access ladders or refuge areas, and the pier being open to the public during the festival.
Read the report on judiciary.uk
× Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Porthleven Harbour & Dock Company; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to close the pier to public access when unsafe conditions are present
Wider context from the report “There were safety issues revealed at Porthleven Harbour, particularly in the evening when festival goers will have been drinking alcohol. Sections of the harbour wall feature sheer drops into water with no railings and trip hazards. The pier presents a particular risk due the absence of railings on one side with a sheer drop into water, and being poorly lit. For anyone falling from the pier, swimming to safety will be difficult due to current and the absence of access ladders or refuge area. The pier is sometimes closed to access by the public but was not closed at the time of the festival .
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Porthleven Harbour & Dock Company; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Harbour currents making swimming to safety difficult
Wider context from the report “There were safety issues revealed at Porthleven Harbour, particularly in the evening when festival goers will have been drinking alcohol. Sections of the harbour wall feature sheer drops into water with no railings and trip hazards. The pier presents a particular risk due the absence of railings on one side with a sheer drop into water, and being poorly lit. For anyone falling from the pier, swimming to safety will be difficult due to current and the absence of access ladders or refuge area. The pier is sometimes closed to access by the public but was not closed at the time of the festival.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Porthleven Harbour & Dock Company; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Lack of access ladders or a refuge area for people in the water
Wider context from the report “There were safety issues revealed at Porthleven Harbour, particularly in the evening when festival goers will have been drinking alcohol. Sections of the harbour wall feature sheer drops into water with no railings and trip hazards. The pier presents a particular risk due the absence of railings on one side with a sheer drop into water, and being poorly lit. For anyone falling from the pier, swimming to safety will be difficult due to current and the absence of access ladders or refuge area . The pier is sometimes closed to access by the public but was not closed at the time of the festival.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Porthleven Harbour & Dock Company; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Lack of railing protection alongside harbour and pier sheer drops
Wider context from the report “There were safety issues revealed at Porthleven Harbour, particularly in the evening when festival goers will have been drinking alcohol. Sections of the harbour wall feature sheer drops into water with no railings and trip hazards. The pier presents a particular risk due the absence of railings on one side with a sheer drop into water , and being poorly lit. For anyone falling from the pier, swimming to safety will be difficult due to current and the absence of access ladders or refuge area. The pier is sometimes closed to access by the public but was not closed at the time of the festival.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Porthleven Harbour & Dock Company; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Inadequate lighting on the pier
Wider context from the report “There were safety issues revealed at Porthleven Harbour, particularly in the evening when festival goers will have been drinking alcohol. Sections of the harbour wall feature sheer drops into water with no railings and trip hazards. The pier presents a particular risk due the absence of railings on one side with a sheer drop into water, and being poorly lit . For anyone falling from the pier, swimming to safety will be difficult due to current and the absence of access ladders or refuge area. The pier is sometimes closed to access by the public but was not closed at the time of the festival.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Porthleven Harbour & Dock Company; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Unaddressed trip hazards around the harbour wall
Wider context from the report “There were safety issues revealed at Porthleven Harbour, particularly in the evening when festival goers will have been drinking alcohol. Sections of the harbour wall feature sheer drops into water with no railings and trip hazards . The pier presents a particular risk due the absence of railings on one side with a sheer drop into water, and being poorly lit. For anyone falling from the pier, swimming to safety will be difficult due to current and the absence of access ladders or refuge area. The pier is sometimes closed to access by the public but was not closed at the time of the festival.
” Open source report
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Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Existing railings, signage and lifebuoy aids are considered sufficient to address harbour safety risks.
Verbatim wording from the response “Over the years, the Harbour & Dock Company has given the utmost priority to safety aspects of the Harbour and continues to do so each year. We are satisfied with the measures we have in place which include railings, signage and lifebuoy aids. Being a popular holiday destination, Porthleven attracts thousands of visitors each year without incident which clearly demonstrates the Harbour is a safe environment.” Source location Response from Porthleven Harbour Dock Company
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation The Festival is responsible for health and safety matters during festival events, working with Cornwall Council’s Health and Safety team.
Verbatim wording from the response “We work very closely with the Porthleven Food Festival and have done since the Festival’s inauguration 15 years ago. Each year, Porthleven Harbour & Dock Company grants a right for the Festival to use the Harbour Head, the Shipyard and other areas within the Inner Harbour over the 2-3 days of the festival. This is granted on the basis that the Festival take responsibility for all health and safety matters, and to that end, they work closely with Cornwall Council Health & Safety team to put these measures in place. In the 15 years since the Festival was established, we are not aware of any major incidents or injuries and certainly no persons entering the water even though alcohol is a feature of the Festival.” Source location Response from Porthleven Harbour Dock Company
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Information checked against published PFD reports and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations