THE jury at the inquest on a British sailor who drowned off Greenore Port, Co Louth, has recommended that every possible safety precaution be taken at the port.
The recommendation was made as it returned a verdict of accidental drowning in the death of Mr Michael Gill (25), of Hull, Humberside, England at the port on November 30th last.
Dundalk Coroner's Court heard that the dead man and another crew member had gone ashore from the Klazina C on the night of November 29th and were drinking in a local bar. They returned at half past midnight. Crewman Adrian Baker said he has no recollection of events after they left the pub, but thinks lie climbed back on to the boat via tyres down the side of the quay next to it. He told the deceased to wait until he got the gangway in place. The next thing he remembered was hearing a splash and he could not see the deceased.
The master of the vessel, Mr Roger Hawkes, said that there were about two feet between the ship and quay.
The jury also recommended that lighting be reviewed at the port and that every ship and vessel using it take every possible precaution.