Humber pilot Francesco Galia was 'not fully fit' before sea death

A Humber pilot who died while attempting to board a ship in the estuary should not have been declared fully fit for duty, an investigation has found.

Francesco Galia - described as "respected and experienced" - probably suffered a "cardiac event", causing him to let go of a ladder and fall into the water on 8 January 2023, states a report published by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).

Investigators also found that a defective recovery platform, used to recover him, had "reduced his chance of survival". Galia, 67, was in the water for 40 minutes, states the report.

The Associated British Ports (ABP) said it had "engaged fully" with the MAIB throughout its investigation.