The captain of a historic tall ship has spoken of the moment a passenger fell to his death.
A 75-year-old man from Hockley died in the accident on Dutch clipper the Albatros near Maplin Sands while on a sailing trip on the Thames estuary.
He was climbing the rigging and was about to fasten himself with a safety belt when he fell, Capt Ton Brouwer said.
Two crew members dived in after him and looked after him until a Southend lifeboat arrived to lift him out of the water.
The man, who paid £58 for the trip, was taken to Shoebury seafront where a paramedic crew were waiting for him. He was declared dead at the scene.
Capt Brouwer said the man had asked for permission to climb up the rigging to take some pictures.
He said he was reluctant to let him at first, but approved it after the man agreed to wear a safety belt and promised to keep fastening himself to the rigging.
He said: "It was very calm weather. A crew member was watching him to make sure he did things right. We took every safety precaution we could. We have done it often."
Published Tuesday August 24, 2004
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