Gareth Willington and Daniel James Willington · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 29th April 2016 I opened an investigation into the death of Gareth Willington and on the 24th October 2016 I opened an investigation into the death of Daniel James Willington. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 10th November 2016. The conclusion of the inquest was accidental death in relation to Daniel James Willington and misadventure in relation to Gareth Willington.

(1) On 28th April 2016 Gareth Willington and his son Daniel James Willington left their homes to go out on their fishing boat called Harvester leaving Milford Haven Docks in the early hours.
(2) At 14.30 hours that day the coastguard received calls in relation to a fishing boat in difficulty near Aberdeiddy.
(3) The emergency services were alerted and a full scale search was commenced in the area.
(4) At 18.00 hours Mr Gareth Willington was recovered from the sea and taken to Withybush General Hospital where life was pronounced extinct.
(5) The body of Mr Daniel James Willington was not recovered.
(6) A report from the MAIB concluded that Mr Daniel Willington had become entangled in the back rope and Mr Gareth Willington had come to his assistance resulting in both men going overboard.
(7) Neither crew member was wearing a personal flotation device at the time of the accident.

That the wearing of personal flotation devices whilst on deck is not mandatory. The report from the MAIB in their report no 22/2016 states “the benefits of wearing PFDs on the exposed decks of fishing vessels are incontrovertible”. Legislation requiring the compulsory wearing of personal flotation devices on the working decks of fishing vessels while at sea would lead to a reduction in the number of deaths at sea.