A man died after his fishing boat capsized on Monday close to Mountbatten breakwater in full view of bank holiday visitors to a Plymouth beach.
According to the Marine Accident and Investigation Branch (MAIB) the 52-year-old was thrown into the sea off Plymouth when his 20ft (6.1m) registered fishing vessel, Laura Jane, ran into trouble at about 13.30 BST on Monday. Investigators have asked any witnesses who may have taken photos or video footage of the accident to contact them (see below).
The local man, named as Robin from the floral tributes which were put at the Barbican’s Boathouse Cafe, was pulled from the water and airlifted to hospital, but pronounced dead. He had reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest.
A number of other vessels which were out in the Sound had gone to the Laura Jane’s aid, while RNLI and other emergency services personnel, including members of the Royal Navy raced to the scene.
The MAIB is investigating the cause of the capsizing. Devon and Cornwall Police said the man’s relatives had been informed.
The Laura Jane was later towed to Batten Bay beach, near Mount Batten.
Investigators have asked anyone who can help them to please contact via: maib@dft.gov.uk
or by telephoning a 24-hour reporting line: 023 8023 2527.