Transport Malta issued an investigation report on the fatal fall of a crew member onboard the bulk carrier MV Alma while in the Atlantic Ocean in heavy weather. While there were no witnesses, the investigation did not exclude the possibility that the crew member either lost his stepping or balance due the rolling and pitching motions of the vessel.
The incident
On 22 November 2019, a bulk carrier was experiencing heavy weather conditions, while in Atlantic Ocean on a voyage from Rouen, France, to Cuba. In the evening of same day, while bosun was on deck ‘A’ of accommodation, he heard something falling, coming from vicinity of accommodation stairway. On looking down stairway, bosun found electrical engineer lying on his back near bottom of stairway on poop deck. Electrical engineer seemed unconscious and bridge and master were eventually informed. Vessel was diverted back towards Brest, France. In early hours of next day, condition of electrical engineer deteriorated and efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.
Probable cause of the fall
Reportedly, crew member was walking down stairway from his cabin on deck ‘A’ to poop deck, when bosun heard him falling down stairway. In absence of any witnesses, safety investigation could not identify reason why fatally injured crew member was heading towards, poop deck. However, it was possible that he had intended to go down to either mess room or recreation room.
Conclusions
- It is highly likely that fatal injuries were suffered during a fall down stairway, while electrical engineer was descending it;
- Safety investigation hypothesized that crew member either lost his stepping or balance due the rolling and pitching motions of vessel, and subsequently toppled down stairway;
- Crew member may have not been holding onto handrail, while descending stairway;
- Death of electrical engineer was caused by a severe head trauma;
- Positional asphyxia may have contributed to fatally injured crew member’s death;
- Fatigue, consumption of drugs / alcohol, design and condition of stairway, and footwear worn by fatally injured crew member were not considered as contributory to this accident.
Actions taken
Following accident, company circulated internal investigation report on this occurrence among its fleet of vessels. Internal investigation was carried out in terms of requirements of ISM Code. Investigation report emphasised importance of serving crew members to exercise caution while using vessel’s stairs, especially when vessel is experiencing rolling and pitching motions, and to hold onto handrails for support.
Source: Safety4Sea