A TRAWLER firm has been fined £10,000 for safety breaches after a man died at sea.

Mike Parkin, 40, a deckhand on the Gemma Fidelis, operated by Locker Trawlers, was killed when cables being used to haul a catch aboard came loose and hit him, delivering a "tremendous blow" to the neck and shoulder.

The blow fractured his ribs and he was pinned down before he was dragged over the side of the boat and drowned, partly as a result of his injuries.

The incident, on October 23, 2001, was the first in which a man had been lost at sea from the port of Whitby, North Yorkshire, since 1947, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Locker Trawlers, based in Whitby, pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that the Gemma Fidelis was safely operated under the terms of the Merchant Shipping Act 1935.

Skipper John Hall, 56, pleaded guilty to failing to ensure safety as the master of the vessel and received a two year community rehabilitation order.

Mr Parkin, of St Peter's Road, Whitby, who left behind a widow, Alison, stepson, Richard, and a daughter, Laura, was described in court as a highly experienced deckhand.

He was part of a four-man crew on a two-day fishing trip in rough seas about 18 miles north of Whitby.

Adrian Waterman, prosecuting, said blocks which held the cables in place were in a poor condition.

An inspection showed they were heavily worn and rusted, while a locking pin was missing.

The Gemma Fidelis had received a certificate from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency that stated safety equipment was in place, but the inspection did not cover fishing equipment.

Mr Waterman said the boat had lurched forward just before the cables came loose and on seeing Mr Parkin trapped, Mr Hall put it in reverse in an attempt to relieve the pressure on him.

Unfortunately, the result was that he was pulled into the sea.

Graham Duff, in mitigation, said Locker Trawlers had a good safety record and the Gemma Fidelis had received constant repairs.

In imposing the fine, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge Peter Fox, ordered costs of £1,250 to be paid.

He said: "The life of a sea fisherman is a hazardous one and it follows that those responsible for the safety of such men should be alert to any likely dangers and take appropriate measures to minimise the risk."