A port worker died after becoming entangled in ropes connected to a ferry’s mooring lines at Cairnryan Harbour in Scotland, according to findings from an investigation into the incident.

John Hamilton, a 60-year-old port services operative, was handling mooring lines on the quay while they were being recovered aboard the Superfast VII ferry.

During the operation, Hamilton became entangled in two ropes connected to the vessel’s mooring lines. He was lifted from the quay, struck a metal structure and then hit the vessel’s hull before falling into the water.

Initial findings indicated that Hamilton had followed the required safety procedures before the accident occurred.

Sheriff Garry Sutherland said the incident could have been prevented if additional precautions had been taken during the mooring line recovery process.

According to the findings, the vessel’s crew should have stopped retrieving the mooring lines when Hamilton entered the operational area. The person responsible for bringing the lines onboard should also have monitored activity on the quayside.

Sutherland described Hamilton as a respected and experienced port services operative who was highly regarded by family and friends.

The sheriff concluded that the fatal accident resulted from an unfortunate combination of several factors during the mooring operation.