Humber pilot death: Interim report on Francisco Galia's demise published

The Humber pilot who died has been named as Francisco Galia

Marine investigators have provided further details about the death of a pilot in the Humber estuary.

Francisco Galia had been trying to board the cargo vessel Finnhawk when he fell from a ladder into the water.

A spokesperson for the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) said it was still investigating the death on 8 January 2023.

However, in its interim report, it said crew had been unable to raise a platform to recover Mr Galia.

Mr Galia, who was employed by Associated British Ports (ABP), is not named in the two-page report but he was identified at the time of the incident.

Investigators said they were examining:

• The cargo vessel's pilot ladder arrangements

• The personal protective equipment worn

• The pilot vessel's man-overboard recovery arrangement

• The fitness and training of the pilot

The report states that after falling from the ladder, which was attached to the side of the cargo vessel, the pilot landed on the handrail and deck of the pilot vessel, Humber Saturn, before "sliding into the water".

His lifejacket "automatically inflated", the report states.

Mr Galia was quickly brought to the Humber Saturn's recovery platform "but the crew were unable to raise the platform and recover the pilot", the report states.

A second pilot then entered the water and held Mr Galia's head clear of the water, as a Mayday call was sent to the coastguard.

A coastguard helicopter and RNLI lifeboat were sent to the scene at about 13:00 GMT and Mr Galia was taken to hospital but he did not regain consciousness. He died later that afternoon.

The second Humber pilot suffered minor hypothermia and strained arm muscles.

The report states the MAIB investigation was considering "various aspects of the accident to determine the causes and circumstances of the pilot's fall from the pilot ladder".

The full report will be published on completion of the investigation, the MAIB said.

ABP is understood to employ a team of 92 Humber pilots. Pilots board vessels in Grimsby, before navigating them safely through the estuary's treacherous myriad of shifting sandbanks.