TWO fishermen died because they had lit a gas cooker on their boat in order to keep warm overnight, an investigation has found.

Skipper Mark Arries, 26, and crewman Edward Ide, 21, were both poisoned by carbon monoxide as they slept on board their scallop dredger in Whitby harbour nearly three weeks ago.

The pair, both fathers from Northumberland, were found dead in their bunks by fellow fishermen who became alarmed when the two failed to appear in the morning.

And following the initial findings of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch guidance and advice has been issued to other fishing crews with a warning to be vigilant.

The tragedy took place on January 15 on board the 38ft Milford Haven-registered Eshcol as the two-man crew took an overnight break from fishing.

Mr Arries, a father-of-two from Blyth, and Mr Ide, who had a four-month-old son and came from Amble, had moored the vessel alongside Pier Road.

The preliminary investigation has found they lit the grill of a butane cooker fitted in the wheelhouse to warm both the wheelhouse and the adjacent sleeping area.

When they were not seen as expected the following morning, crewmen from fishing vessels tied up close by forced open the wheelhouse door.

They found the gas grill was still lit, the wheelhouse was full of fumes – and the two men were dead in their bunks.

The MAIB intends to issue an in-depth report once the full investigation is completed but has revealed that the Eshcol was not fitted with a carbon monoxide alarm.

The initial report pointed out: “Gas cookers are designed for cooking, not domestic heating. Accommodation areas need to be heated, especially during the winter months and, for this, appropriate, purpose built heaters are required.”

It said fossil fuel-burning appliances, such as cookers, need to be checked and maintained to ensure they and that carbon monoxide could quickly build up to lethal levels in poorly-ventilated spaces.

The report added: “Carbon monoxide is a lethal gas, which has no smell, no taste, is colourless and is extremely difficult for human senses to detect.

“Crew need to be vigilant and recognise the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can include headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, confusion, stomach pain and shortage of breath.

“Carbon monoxide alarms are not expensive and should be fitted.”