Fatalities onboard GPS Battler workboat

Lessons learned

UK MAIB issued a combined report on the investigations of Two fatalities connected with the operation of the workboat GPS Battler off Almeria, Spain on 13 August 2014 and in Marin, Spain on 6 January 2015.

On 13 August 2014, the master of the UK registered workboat GPS Battler drowned soon after the open tender returning him from the marina in Almeria, Spain, to his anchored vessel, was overwhelmed in choppy seas. The tender flooded rapidly and started to submerge. The master initially swam clear but soon lost consciousness and could not be revived. GPS Battlers mate, who was with the master, was recovered from the water uninjured. The semi-submerged tender later foundered while being towed to the shore. There was no pollution.

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Less than 5 months later, on 6 January 2015, a mate joining GPS Battler fell into the water from the quayside in Marin, Spain while waiting for the access arrangements to the vessel to be made safe. The mate was soon motionless and the crew were unable to recover him from the water. The mate was eventually recovered on board a rigid inflatable boat operated by the Spanish coastguard. He had been in the water for almost 1 hour and he had drowned.

The investigations identified that elements of the safety management system on board GPS Battler were not followed. Notably, the alcohol consumption by the deceased and other crew members, which was a factor in both accidents to varying degrees, was contrary to the workboats drug and alcohol policy. The deceased in the first accident was 25% over the UKs drink-drive limit and the deceased in the second accident was almost four times over the limit. Both accidents highlight the difficulties encountered in implementing effective safety management and safe systems of work on small boats such as workboats.

Following the accidents GPS Marine Contractors Ltd, GPS Battlers operator, has taken action aimed at improving the effectiveness of the safety management system on board its workboats, including workboats operating out of area. It has also taken action to better monitor crews adherence to its drug and alcohol policies. A recommendation has been made to GPS Marine Contractors Ltd which is aimed at ensuring the effectiveness of the actions it has already taken.

Conclusions

Accident in Almeria

The open tender was usually used in sheltered waters and was not suitable for use in the choppy seas outside Almeria’s breakwater.

GPS Battler’s crew were not authorised to use the tender and were unaware of its limitations.

The trip to Almeria using the tender was not properly planned. The master was unable to communicate with the crew left on board, and an anchor watch was not maintained in accordance with the workboat’s SMS.

The master and mate’s consumption of alcohol while ashore was contrary to the vessel’s drug and alcohol policy.

The master was over the UK drink-drive limit for alcohol, which probably contributed to him taking a more relaxed approach to risk when making his decision to return to GPS Battler.

The master’s likelihood of survival was reduced by not wearing a lifejacket.

The actions of the crew on board the workboat were positive and timely.

Accident in Marin

It is considered that the mate was not trying to board the vessel when he fell into the water.

The mate was intoxicated and tired and probably either stumbled or lost his balance.

The mate probably suffered from cold water shock when he entered the water. He was not a strong swimmer and he lost consciousness very quickly.

The bosun’s decision-making during the rescue attempt was probably influenced by his consumption of alcohol.

The mate had been in the water for 28 minutes before external assistance was requested. However, this was unlikely to have significantly affected his chances of survival.