Transport Malta’s Marine Safety Investigation Unit has issued an investigation report into the fatality of a crew member and the collapse of two other, due to heat exhaustion on board the Maltese-registered bulk carrier, ELPIDA GR in the port of Mesaieed, Qatar, on 27 July 2023.
The incident
On 27 July 2023, Elpida GR was berthing at the port of Mesaieed, Qatar. Whilst the first mooring lines were being passed ashore, the bosun and two other crew members of the forward mooring station collapsed, one after another. These crew members were brought to the accommodation, where they were tended to by other crew members. After the vessel was moored, the chief officer reported that he, too, was feeling unwell.
All four crew members were transferred to a shore ambulance by shore service boats and taken to a local hospital. The bosun was declared deceased by paramedics, and this was confirmed at the hospital. All four crew members were diagnosed to have suffered from heat exhaustion. The safety investigation concluded that it was highly likely that the long hours of physical work on deck, in hot and humid weather conditions, had contributed to the crew members’ collapse.
The MSIU has issued one recommendation to the Company, aimed at ensuring that the crew members are provided with a comfortable environment on board.
The MSIU has also issued two recommendations to the flag State Administration: to submit a paper to HTW Sub-Committee, to include emphasized seafarer training on the on-site treatment of heat stroke / hyperthermia casualties on board, in the relevant IMO model courses, and to issue an Information Notice, recommending that the relevant medical guide(s) which are referred to in the STCW Code and the IMO model courses on first aid and medical care, are also carried on board Maltese registered vessels.
Analysis
Purpose
The purpose of a marine safety investigation is to determine the circumstances and safety factors of the accident as a basis for making recommendations, to prevent further marine casualties or incidents from occurring in the future.
Cooperation
During this safety investigation, MSIU received the necessary assistance and cooperation from the Ministry of Transport, Qatar.
Conclusions
Findings and safety factors are not listed in any order of priority.
Immediate Cause of the Occurrence
- The crew members suffered from heat exhaustion, with the bosun suffering from a heat stroke that led to his death.
Conditions and other Safety Factors
- The high atmospheric temperatures and humidity levels, around the time of the vessel’s berthing, would have affected the crew members.
- In view of their long work periods for the cargo hold cleaning operations, as well as the uncomfortable warm temperatures within the accommodation that would not have allowed the crew members to rest properly, it was not excluded that several members of the cleaning team had also experienced
fatigue by the time the vessel was berthing at Mesaieed. - It appeared that the crew members were not aware of all actions that needed to be taken, in the event of a heat stroke casualty, particularly the requirement to cool the casualty’s body with water and ice. Furthermore, the circumstances at that time did not allow the crew members to refer to the available medical publications on board, and find this information there.
- While it is understood that all crew members had received relevant training in first aid and medical care, the safety investigation noted that training to assist a casualty of heat stroke appeared to be included neither in the IMO model course for elementary first aid, nor further emphasized in the IMO model course for medical care. Furthermore, whilst the course on medical first aid addresses treatment for heat stroke, its compendium did not appear to include the relevant section from the International Medical Guide for Ships.
Other Findings
- In view of the effects of climate change, it is likely that there may be an increase in such occurrences on board vessels, particularly when considering
that the reason for crew members’ exposure to the sun and heat are due to the nature of the tasks on board, itself. Furthermore, acclimatization can take
several weeks and it is highly unlikely that crew members on board a vessel will get an opportunity to acclimatize effectively. - The carriage of The Ship Captain’s Medical Guide is a mandatory requirement for Maltese-registered vessels, whilst the International Medical Guide for
Ships is not listed as a mandatory publication to be carried on board Malteseregistered vessels. The compendia of the IMO model courses on first aid and
medical care contain extracts only from the latter.
Actions taken
Safety Actions Taken During the Course of the Safety Investigation
Following the occurrence, the Company took the following actions:
- reviewed and revised its safety management system (SMS) manual, to include a section on ‘working in hot environments’ and a related checklist, together
with precautionary measures to be taken; - issued a circular to its fleet, containing information and instructions relating to heat illnesses; and
- prepared and distributed posters across its fleet, to raise awareness on dehydration.
Recommendations
In view of the conclusions reached and taking into consideration the safety actions taken by the Company during the course of the safety investigation,
The Company is recommended to:
10/2024_R1 ensure that its vessels are adequately equipped to provide a comfortable environment for the crew members, through regular visits by the
Company’s representatives and / or communication with the master, especially when the vessel is trading in regions of high / low temperatures.
The flag State Administration is recommended to:
10/2024_R2 submit a paper to HTW Sub-Committee to the IMO, proposing the inclusion of emphasized seafarer training on the on-site treatment of heat
stroke / hyperthermia casualties on board, taking into consideration the predicted effects of climate change.
10/2024_R3 issue an Information Notice, recommending that the latest edition of the International Medical Guide for Ships and its supporting publications (or the newly-published International Medical Guide for Seafarers and Fishers, if appropriate), are also carried on board Maltese-registered vessels.
