Report says lifejacket could have saved Carna fisherman
Galway Bay fm newsroom - The Marine Casualty Investigation Board is recommending that fishermen and women wear lifejackets at all times when out on the water.
The recommendation is made in the report into the death of 43-year old Gerard Folan at Dooyeher, Carna at Mac Dara Island off the Galway Coast last year.
Gerard Folan had gone out on his boat, the 'Carraig Ainne', at 12.30p.m on April 23rd last year to check lobster pots off Deer Island west of Mace Head.
When he didn't return, the alarm was raised and an air and sea search was launched after 9 o' clock that night.
His body was discovered the next morning at Mac Dara Island near Carna.
The post mortem examination revealed that he drowned with elevated levels of ethanol as a contributory factor.
Apart from recommending that fishers wear lifejackets at all times, the Board recommends that anyone going out on the sea must comply with legislation regarding the consumption of alcohol and drugs.
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board concluded that Gerard Folan fell overboard while the engine was still running and was not wearing a lifejacket.
It says, had the engine stopped, with the use of kill cord, he would have easily swam back to the boat, as he was a strong swimmer.
The Board also concluded that there was undue delay in raising the alarm, when Gerard Folan had not returned by 4p.m.
It also wants the 'Code of Practice for Fishing Vessels' amended to include a requirement for a kill switch and extendable cord.