The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) has issued an investigation report into an incident where a crew member onboard a Bahamas-flagged passenger vessel fell from height onto a lashing platform.
The incident
A crew member onboard a Bahamas flagged passenger vessel fell from height on to a lashing platform between two lifeboats while the vessel was alongside. Nearby crew members heard the fall and a medical response immediately followed. Despite best efforts by the shipboard and shoreside medical personnel, the victim passed away at a local hospital.
Why it happened
The victim remained in the vicinity of the lifeboats lashing platform on completion of an abandon ship drill for an unknown, but non-operational reason. The victim, and others at risk of falling during the drill, was not wearing equipment to protect from a fall. Hard hats and harnesses were available at lifeboat stations but they were not routinely used. Like other crew exposed to the same risk, he wore more comfortable headgear to mitigate the effects of the hot weather.
Conclusions
A postmortem indicated that the victim died from hypovolemic shock as a result of a right kidney puncture and deep abdominal trauma due to the fall. The victim remained on a lashing platform between lifeboats 2 and 4, after concluding his duties during a lifeboat drill and fell from height. With different points of elevation on the platform and the position his body was found, the origin of his fall could not be determined. Review of CCTV during the initial drill indicates crew members, inclusive of the victim, opted to wear headgear that would help mitigate the heat. Safety harnesses and hard hats were provided near the lifeboat stations but were not in use during the drill. The bosun was the only crew member seen with a hard hat on. From the time the Code Alpha was announced by the bridge, the shipboard medical response team and safety officers responded quickly to assess the scene, provide Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and trauma care to the victim before he disembarked via ambulance to the local hospital. Fall from heights onboard ships remain a consistent source of injuries and fatalities for seafarers throughout the global merchant fleet.
Recommendations
The investigation found that on the day of the casualty, a majority of the crew, including the victim, were not wearing hard hats or harnesses. They preferred to wear gear more comfortable for the heat and humidity. The supervisor was the only crew member seen with a hard hat on. During recreation of the drill, the crew were able to effectively carry out their duties with the prescribed PPE donned. The investigation also found that while the victim remained on the lashing platform after the drill for an unknown, non-operational reason, the sign postings in the casualty area were not effective in communicating required protection for crew when working aloft.
Therefore, it is recommended that Anglo-Eastern Management:
- Take action to ensure safeguards in place for crew are effective and appropriate across varying conditions they are required to work in
- Ensure supervisors have robust support systems to enforce appropriate gear requirements
As previously highlighted in Curacao Pearl (2023), The Bahamas Maritime Authority is recommended to:
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Consider conducting a concentrated inspection campaign to highlight and address the risks of falling from height on Bahamian ships.
