Lifejacket might have helped save drowned skipper

A skipper who drowned after his small boat capsized might have had more chance of survival if he had been wearing a lifejacket, an official report has concluded.

Sandy Alexander, 69, drowned when the creel boat Lexi Rose ran into difficulties in shallow waters off Macduff in September 2023.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) said his boat propeller probably struck a rock.

The MAIB said his chances of survival would have been “improved” had he been wearing a personal flotation device (PFD).

Mr Alexander was fishing on the Banff-registered Lexi Rose close to shore at Melrose Point, east of Macduff, when the accident happened.

Mr Alexander – a lobster fisherman from Fraserburgh with more than 40 years of experience – was found dead in the water.

He had suffered a significant head injury, and had drowned.

The report said there had been a call on very high frequency (VHF) radio channel from Mr Alexander, which said: “Lifeboat, lifeboat, lifeboat. We’re ashore, engine stopped, need a lifeboat.”

Soon afterwards, Mr Alexander said: “I need a lifeboat, she’s going, she’s going.”

The MAIB said it was possible that – despite favourable wind conditions – Mr Alexander had been caught out by the sea swell.

The outboard motor’s propeller probably struck a rock and detached, the investigation found.

The report said it was unlikely that Mr Alexander had enough time to take emergency action.

Mr Alexander was a non-swimmer who was known to occasionally wear a PFD while fishing.

The report said: “The skipper’s chances of survival would have been improved had he been wearing a PFD.”

The MAIB said, given existing industry guidance on the risks of single-handed fishing operations, no safety recommendations were being made in the report.