Northern Territory Police are preparing a report for the Coroner in relation to the death of a man at sea.

Police received a report on Monday night that a deckhand had died after an accident on board a fishing trawler.

The trawler immediately began the 22 hour trip to return to Darwin, having been approximately 180 nautical miles from the coast in the Timor Sea.

“Initial investigations suggest the 41-year-old became tangled in ropes as fishing traps were being launched from the trawler.” Said Detective Senior Sergeant Peter Malley.

“The man went overboard and when he was recovered by the crew he was deceased.”

“At this early stage of investigations, police are treating the death as a workplace accident and don’t believe it to be suspicious.” Said Detective Senior Sergeant Malley.

An autopsy is expected to be conducted later today to form part of the report for the Coroner.

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