Trawler captain Kevin Scott Lee fined over deckhand death

The captain of a Queensland fishing trawler has been sentenced over a “tragedy” where a deckhand went overboard, never to be seen again.

A 57-year-old Tin Can Bay captain was fined $6000 in Gympie Magistrates Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to neglectfully risking the safety of a person on a fishing trawler.

Kevin Scott Lee, master of the fishing trawler K-Vern, was charged after the loss of 48-year-old deckhand, Muhammad Mahsan.

The court heard two of the K-Vern’s crew members, including Mr Mahsan, went on deck in wet weather and gusty conditions, while they were about seven nautical miles (or 13km) off Pt. Arkwright at about 3:30am on May 16, 2020.

The ropes and fishing nets, which were allegedly torn, were in need of attention.

Mr Mahsan, an Indonesian national who was not wearing a lifejacket or harness, was over the side of the boat while recovering the net, where he slipped and fell into the choppy waters below.

After a desperate search attempt from both the trawler crew and authorities, Mr Mahsan’s body was not found.

The major search for a missing Sunshine Coast fisherman began again at first light in morning.

Lee, as master of the ship, was responsible for his crew’s safety and ensuring that his crew members were wearing life jackets.

Police previously reported the trawler’s captain deployed a life ring, life jacket and emergency radio beacon into the water.

Lee had about 30 years of experience as a master of a vessel and it was not his usual practice to have crew members on deck without safety measures, the court heard.

He had been very remorseful since the incident, and had attempted to assist the family of the deceased.

He and his crew also often made visits to his memorial regularly to light a candle, including on his birthday.

“It’s a tragedy,” Magistrate Chris Callaghan said.