Wayne Evans, 30, hit the headlines last year for his Houdini-style escape after he was pulled overboard while fishing off the coast of Newlyn on the trawler Ocean Spray.

The quick-thinking father-of-four survived the 40ft plunge into freezing waters by removing his oilskins, kicking off his boots and desperately swimming towards the surface.

But yesterday, skipper Peter Laity was fined £600 ordered to pay £500 costs for employing the deckhand despite knowing he had not taken safety training.

Laity pleaded guilty at Camborne Magistrates' Court to employing Mr Evans when he knew that he had not completed courses required by the Fishing Vessels Safety Training Regulation.

David Fenner, of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), said: "The MCA are satisfied at the outcome and hope that skippers, owners and crew understand the importance of completing the mandatory safety training courses.

"It is essential to make sure crew are adequately trained and experienced for the job.

"It was very fortunate indeed that the man overboard was recovered onboard and did not sustain further injuries - the incident highlights the importance of crew training and wearing a lifejacket."

Mr Evans was dragged off the boat and into the water on December 9 last year as the crew were shooting the last of the nets.

As he tried to solve a problem with the gear, 18 nautical miles south east of Newlyn, he was taken overboard by the anchor for the nets.

Recalling the moment he launched his desperate fight for survival, Mr Evans had said: 'I felt like Houdini trying to take chains off underwater.

"But in my head I was screaming to the sea, 'You won't take me tonight. You won't claim me like this'."

He went under and surfaced with the nets while the crew were trying to find him.

article copyright WESTERN MORNING NEWS