After a Royal Marine recruit died as a result of drowning during a training exercise, The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been issued with a Crown Censure.

Recruit Ethan Jones who tragically died during a training exercise (Picture: MOD/SWNS)

(A Crown Censure is issued as an enforcement to Crown Bodies. The Crown cannot be prosecuted for breaches of the law, including Health and Safety Law and therefore the Crown Censure is used in respect of offences which would have ordinarily led to a prosecution with a realistic prospect of conviction.)

The recruits were in the final part of their training where they disembarked a landing craft into the sea and wade to shore. Several recruits were left submerged and therefore had to be rescued. Unfortunately, one recruit was found floating next to the craft and was rushed to the hospital but died days later.

The HSE found that the MoD failed to ensure the safety of the recruits during the training exercise as safety measures and procedures were not properly addressed or planned.

By accepting the Crown Censure, the MoD admitted breaching its duty under Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at work etc. Act 1974.