Hong Kong issued a note after a fatal accident onboard a container vessel

The Marine Department of the Government of Hong Kong has issued a note after a fatal accident onboard a Hong Kong-registered container vessel.

A fatal accident occurred on a Hong Kong-registered container vessel while it was en route to Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The weather worsened, causing the vessel to roll and pitch heavily.

An Electro-technical Officer (ETO) was found unconscious near the gangway on the port side of the main deck. Despite being airlifted to a local hospital, the ETO was declared dead on the same day.

Shipowners, ship managers, operators, masters, officers, and crew are advised to learn from this incident.

Investigation

The investigation identified the following factors contributing to the incident:

1. The shipboard toolbox meeting did not comply with the "Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers" by properly identifying hazards and associated risks.
2. The ETO disregarded the toolbox meeting's instruction to avoid inspecting the room in adverse weather without permission from the Master.
3. The ETO failed to adhere to the requirements of the Code and the shipboard "Safety Management Manual" while working in adverse weather.
4. The shipboard training for the ETO on SMM procedures, specifically regarding "Work on Deck in Heavy Weather," was ineffective.
5. The ETO lacked safety awareness when working outside the accommodation block in adverse weather.

Prevention

To prevent similar accidents in the future, the following actions should be taken:

• a. Before starting work, strictly adhere to the Code's requirements by identifying hazards and associated risks in toolbox meetings.
• b. Follow the Code and shipboard SMM guidelines when working outside the accommodation block in adverse weather.
• c. Ensure effective shipboard training on SMM procedures, particularly regarding working on deck in heavy weather.
• d. Improve the crew's safety awareness when working outside the accommodation block in adverse weather.

Shipowners, ship managers, operators, masters, officers, and crew are urged to pay attention to these lessons.

This note was issued on 20 June 2023.

For more information, please see the documents below (available only to subscribers):

A Fatal Accident Happened Outside the Accommodation Block under Adverse Weather