Enhanced safety protocols for enclosed spaces: lessons from recent fatal incidents at Indian ports

Eda Zenic -

The Directorate General of Shipping, India issued shipping circular No. 23 of 2024 addressing safety measures following two fatal incidents at Indian ports.

The objective of the circular is to underscore the inherent dangers posed by enclosed spaces onboard vessels and to emphasize the need for strict safety protocols to prevent similar accidents in the future.

Incident Summaries

Incident 1:

  • Location: Krishnapatnam Port
  • Date: March 1, 2024
  • Vessel: Bulk Carrier, RUI NING 21 (IMO No. 9595694, Flag: China, Built: 2010, Gross Tonnage: 40,913)
  • Cargo: Indonesian Thermal Coal
  • What Happened:
    • The vessel was discharging cargo using shore cranes. During operations, the ship's duty AB (Able Seaman) noticed the booby hatch of Cargo Hold No. 5 was open, even though it had been secured with a seizing wire. Upon inspection, two individuals were found unconscious inside the hold.
    • Despite immediate rescue efforts, both stevedores were unresponsive and later pronounced dead at a hospital.
  • Causes Identified:
    • The booby hatches were inadequately marked and secured only with a wire lash, allowing unauthorized entry by shore personnel.
    • The stevedores unknowingly entered a hold that was oxygen-deficient and contained high levels of methane, leading to their deaths.

Incident 2:

  • Location: Paradip Port
  • Date: April 23, 2024
  • Vessel: Bulk Carrier, ULUSOY - 11 (IMO No. 9586411, Flag: Turkey, Built: 2011, Gross Tonnage: 43,717)
  • Cargo: Thermal Coal
  • What Happened:
    • A stevedore was assigned to clean Hatch No. 4. However, he did not report back after his shift ended. He was later found unconscious in a sealed manhole of the cargo hold, inside an enclosed space known as the Australian ladder section.
    • The ship’s first aid team arrived but found no signs of life. The stevedore was declared dead, and his body was handed over to his family after a postmortem.
  • Causes Identified:
    • The victim entered the Australian ladder section without proper authorization and precautions. This area, being an enclosed space, was oxygen-deficient and rich in toxic gases, making escape difficult in an emergency.

Analysis of Causes

Both incidents occurred due to unauthorized entry into enclosed spaces that had not been adequately checked for atmospheric safety. The enclosed spaces, especially those involving Australian ladders, were found to accumulate toxic gases such as methane, which can be deadly when inhaled. Inadequate marking of booby hatches and insufficient communication between shore personnel and ship staff contributed to these fatalities.

Access Control:

  1. All enclosed or restricted spaces on vessels should be locked and access should be controlled by ship personnel.
  2. Booby hatches of unused cargo holds must be kept closed and secured.
  3. Any entry into enclosed spaces by shore personnel must be authorized by ship staff, with all access points clearly marked.

Interface with Shore Personnel:

  1. A structured communication process between the vessel’s crew and shore personnel must be established. This includes discussing all aspects of cargo operations and agreeing on safety measures via a defined checklist.
  2. This interface should also include clear instructions on the dangers of enclosed spaces and the specific procedures for safely entering such spaces.

Medical Equipment and Training:

  1. Ships should ensure that necessary medical equipment, such as oxygen resuscitators, is readily accessible on the main deck.
  2. Crew members must be trained in the use of this equipment and in providing first aid, including CPR.

Enclosed Space Entry Procedures:

  1. Port representatives and stevedores must adhere strictly to established enclosed space entry procedures.
  2. Before any entry into such spaces, the ship must ensure that the area is safe, properly ventilated, and that appropriate medical equipment is available.

Briefing to Shore Gang:

  1. Ports must provide thorough briefings to shore personnel, covering the nature of the cargo, the layout of the vessel, restricted areas, and the dangers associated with enclosed spaces.
  2. Shore workers should be explicitly instructed not to enter any enclosed space unless they have been authorized by the vessel’s staff.

Medical Services at Ports:

  1. Ports should ensure that adequate medical services, including emergency paramedics, are available at loading and unloading berths to respond quickly to any incidents.

Training of Port Workers:

  1. Ports are responsible for ensuring that all stevedores and port workers receive comprehensive training on the hazards of enclosed spaces and the specific dangers posed by different types of cargo.

Maintaining Updated Records:

  1. Ports must maintain an updated list of all stevedores working on board each vessel, including their contact details and emergency contact information for their next of kin.

Enforcement and Compliance

The circular makes it clear that these recommendations are mandatory for all vessels and ports in India. Non-compliance with these guidelines will result in appropriate disciplinary actions or penalties. Ports are required to develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Safety Protocols for stevedores to prevent future incidents.