Owners of fishing boat sentenced following death of a crew member

Police Scotland has acknowledged the sentencing of the owners of a fishing boat, following the death of a crew member on board, after a gas leak was discovered in one of the vessel’s refrigerated tanks in 2018.

At Peterhead Sheriff Court on Monday, 9 October, 2023, the owners, Sunbeam Limited, were fined £220,000 and the Skipper, James Duthie, aged 66, was also fined.

William Ironside, aged 52, fell ill on-board the Sunbeam, whilst in Fraserburgh Harbour in August, 2018, and he died a short time later. Four others also took ill and received treatment at the time in hospital.

A Police investigation was carried out in conjunction with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, along with the Marine Accident Investigation Branch.

Mr Ironside’s family have issued a statement: “It remains extremely hard for us to come to terms with what happened to William, even after all this time. William was a very much loved husband and father who will never be forgotten.

Detective Inspector Sam Buchan said: “Our thoughts remain with Mr Ironside’s family. I hope this goes some way to bring some sense of closure for them and importantly helps prevent other such incidents occurring in the future.”