The Marine Casualty Investigation Board has recommended that the Minister for Transport issue a notice reminding operators of fishing vessels of the dangers of fishing alone.
It also recommends reminding fisherman of the importance of wearing lifejackets and a Personal Location Beacon, and having a suitably protected knife on their person while on deck during fishing operations.
The recommendations follow a MCIB investigation into an incident in which the skipper of a boat sustained serious injuries to his leg last year.
The skipper was on a routine trip to lift, bait and shoot lobster pots in Dingle Bay, Co Kerry.
His leg became entangled in the pot ropes and the because the boat was in gear the rope tightened around the Skipper's leg and he was pulled towards the rear of the boat.
He was unable to free himself as the rope around his leg was under tension and he remained stuck in this position until he was rescued around four hours later.
The Skipper suffered serious injuries to his left leg and was treated in hospital.
The MCIB said this was not an uncommon incident but it was exacerbated by the Skipper being alone onboard and not having a knife to hand and not having a PLB on his person to raise the alarm immediately.
