The Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator has concluded an investigation after a sailor fell and died on board bulk carrier Asteris.
What happened
On 17 April 2024, the Republic of the Marshall Islands-registered Asteris, a geared, five-hatch, bulk carrier, managed by Seamax Marine Inc., was underway in the South China Sea on a ballast voyage. Work being done on board during the day included washing the cargo holds. The hatch covers for all five cargo holds had been partially open since that morning to ventilate the cargo holds.
At approximately 1700, the ASD2 and OS2 were tasked with starting to wash Cargo Hold No. 4 before stopping work for the day at 1800. It was planned for the ASD2, who was wearing a safety belt with a single lifeline, to work inside the cargo hold while the OS2 remained on deck next to the booby hatch to tend the hose and control the flow of water by opening and closing the fire hydrant to which the hose was connected.
The ASD2 directed the OS2 to turn the water on a few minutes after he entered Cargo Hold No. 4. The OS2 heard a loud “bang” from inside the cargo hold as he was returning to the booby hatch after opening the fire hydrant. He climbed down the ladder leading from the booby hatch to the catwalk at the top of the cargo hold. From the catwalk he saw the ASD2 lying motionless on the tank top. The OS2 immediately exited the cargo hold and raised the alarm.
A rescue was conducted per the ship’s enclosed space entry rescue plan. Approximately 30 minutes after the OS2 first raised the alarm, the ASD2, whose head was bleeding, was removed without further incident from Cargo Hold No. 4 and transported to the ship’s Hospital where he was administered first aid. The ship diverted toward the nearest port so the ASD2 could be disembarked for medical treatment. The ship rendezvoused with a rescue boat just after midnight on 18 April 2024 and the ASD2 was safely disembarked a short time later. The ASD2 was reported to have died while on the rescue boat en route to shore.
The safety belt and lifeline that the ASD2 had been wearing were both intact and the clip on the lifeline was operational when examined after the incident.
The investigation
The marine safety investigation conducted by the Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator determined that the lifeline on the ASD2’s safety belt had not been connected to a strong point when he fell. This was due to either the fact the safety harnesses and safety belts on board the ship were fitted with a single lifeline and clip, which required that the lifeline be disconnected when moving it from one strong point to another, or that the ASD2 had not connected the lifeline to a strong point. The Administrator’s investigation also determined that the Company’s SMS did not address the Company’s expectations for securing lifelines when climbing vertical ladders or working on an elevated platform.
Lessons learned
The lessons below were identified:
• The importance of ensuring lifelines are connected to a strong point when climbing a vertical ladder and while on an elevated platform.
• The use of safety belts to protect against the consequences of a fall from height is contrary to the recommended best practice, which is to use a safety harness.
• To maintain continuous, positive fall prevention, it is necessary to use a safety harness with two lifelines and clips or a safety harness connected to a fall arrester.
Read the report: RMI: Asteris Investigation Report