The UK MAIB has issued a call for immediate action to improve safety procedures following its investigation into the deaths of three stevedores aboard the bulk carrier Berge Mawson on June 27, 2022.
The investigation, led by Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents Andrew Moll OBE, found that the stevedores were working in a cargo hold access space, unaware of the severe dangers posed by coal cargoes and the risks associated with entering enclosed spaces. The report highlighted that the workers had not received adequate training to recognize and mitigate these hazards, contributing to the tragic deaths.
Moll emphasized the importance of ensuring that stevedores and other shore workers are properly trained to handle the specific risks associated with working on board bulk carriers.
Although the Berge Mawson’s crew was well-trained in emergency response for enclosed space incidents, their drills did not account for the presence of shore workers. In the confusion and urgency to collect rescue equipment, the crew left the entry point to a hazardous space unguarded, leading to further fatalities when two stevedores entered the area in a misguided attempt to rescue their colleague,
… said Moll.
The investigation also pointed to significant gaps in industry safety guidelines. Despite international guidance, data from InterManager reveals that of the 257 enclosed space fatalities between 1999 and 2024, 67 (26%) were stevedores or shore workers.
The UK MAIB calls for urgent changes to bulk carrier and terminal operating procedures, stressing that shore workers must be equipped with the proper knowledge and skills to work safely in hazardous environments. Enhanced safety drills and protocols, including those that account for the potential presence of shore workers, are critical to preventing further loss of life.
