The men, who sustained minor injuries, were carrying out work as part of a port state control check on the 37,000-gt Saga Sapphire (built 1981) in March, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) said.

MAIB added: "On the order to release the tricing pennants, the forward crewman, who was a first cook, was unable to remove the drop-nosed pin securing the tricing pennant hook release lever in the closed position."

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