Marina fined after worker loses finger during boat lift

A Norfolk Broads marina has been fined following an incident in which a man lost part of his finger during a boat lifting operation.

The injury occurred on 17 May 2023 at St Olaves Marina Limited, located on the River Waveney near Great Yarmouth, on the east coast of England. The man, employed by Northern Divers (Engineering) Limited, was helping with the lifting of a work boat using a telehandler operated by St Olaves Marina staff. As the boat was being raised, the worker’s hand was crushed by the telehandler forks, leading to the eventual amputation of the fourth finger on his right hand.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) — Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety — found that the company had failed to implement adequate measures to control risks during lifting operations and that staff had not been given appropriate training for the task. The HSE said the incident was “wholly avoidable” and occurred because of the failure to carry out a simple lift plan.

St Olaves Marina Limited, of Beccles Road, Great Yarmouth, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, which requires employers to take effective steps to protect both employees and others from risks arising from their activities. The company was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £5,700 in costs, along with an £800 victim surcharge, at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on 3 October 2025.

The marina was purchased in April 2025 by Norfolk Yacht Agency for £2m.

HSE inspector Christopher Booker says: “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.”