Marina fined after worker injured during boat lift

The incident happened at St Olaves Marina Limited on 17 May 2023, which resulted in the amputation of the man’s finger.

The man, who was employed by Northern Divers (Engineering) Limited, was injured while assisting with a work boat being lifted by a telehandler operated by St Olaves Marina staff. As the boat was being raised, the man’s hand was crushed by the telehandler forks which resulted in the fourth finger on his right hand being amputated.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) determined that St Olaves Marina Limited had failed to implement suitable measures to control the risks involved in lifting operations and that staff had not received appropriate training for such tasks.

The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 states that employers must take effective measures to safeguard their employees and persons not employed by them from the risks created by their work activities.

St Olaves Marina Limited, of Beccles Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The company was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £5,700 in costs at Norwich Magistrates Court on the 3 October 2025.

HSE inspector Christopher Booker said: “Every year, a significant proportion of accidents, many of them serious and sometimes fatal, occur as a result of poorly planned and managed work activities.

“In this case, a wholly avoidable incident was caused by the failure to conduct and carry out a simple lift plan. Had the company suitably planned the lifting of the boat, this life-changing injury would not have occurred.”

This HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Karen Park and paralegal Melissa Wardle.