Jim Portus, the chief executive of the South Western Fish Producers’ Organisation said that it appeared the fishermen’s injury was a direct result of a naval boarding that went wrong.

For the fisherman was said to have lost his hand during the emergency hauling of fishing gear to allow the recovery of naval personnel who had been thrown into the sea from their rigid inflatable.

Mr Portus added: “ Our members and the producer organisation have been voicing concerns for a very long time about the potential dangers of long-range boardings. The Sea Fisheries Inspectorate and the Navy have always said that the safety of naval personnel is a matter for the boarding team and the Naval Commanding Officer.

"In this case it was a civilian that got injured, probably losing his career.

“Will the Navy be held liable for his injuries?

“We hope so.”

The Royal Navy, he contended had been taking “unnecessary risks” with long-range boardings for years and it was time their officers were subjected to investigation by the MCA and other appropriate authorities.

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