Walking across open hatches can be an invitation to tragedy. When the hatch cover is icy then the chances for disaster are even greater, as a new report from the UK Maritime Accident Investigation Branchmakes very clear.
On 17 December 2011, an able bodied seaman (AB) fell approximately 25m into a partially open hold on the container vessel Tempanos while it was berthed in the port of Felixstowe. The AB, Jose Gonzalez, died of multiple injuries.
There were no witnesses to the accident, but the available evidence indicated that he probably slipped on a patch of ice while walking across a hatch cover that was partially covering an open hold.
The investigation found that it was occasional practice for some crew members on Tempanos to walk across hatch covers above partly open holds. Although there was clear guidance available regarding safe cargo operations on container ships, it was not always communicated to vessels calling at Felixstowe.
Tempanos’s safety management system did not contain sufficient guidance or instructions to the crew about the hazards of walking on partially open hatch covers. A recommendation has been made to the ship’s management company to
review its safe working procedures. The container terminal’s managers have also been recommended to conduct safety meetings with the crews of container vessels prior to commencing cargo work.
review its safe working procedures. The container terminal’s managers have also been recommended to conduct safety meetings with the crews of container vessels prior to commencing cargo work.
Says the MAIB report: “The disparity between the container terminal staff’s understanding of safe working practices and that of the vessel’s crew, illustrates the need for closer co-operation. It is accepted that the container trade relies on fast turnaround times, but achieving the necessary level of co-operation need not be an onerous burden. It was normal practice for container terminal staff to visit the vessel in order to discuss cargo work, and an additional discussion on safe working practices would not add significantly to the turnaround time. Such a discussion should focus on the behaviour expected of the crew and the demarcation of responsibilities.
Felixstowe/Chile: Inquest date set for ship fall seaman
An inquest is set to take place on Monday on the death of Chilean crew member who fell 25 metres on board a ship berthed at Felixstowe port.
Jose Gonzalez-Ortega, 30, was an Able Seaman aboard MV Tempanos and died on December 17, 2011 after sustaining multiple injuries as a result of a fall into a cargo hold. A Marine Accident Investigation Bureau report found that it is likely he slipped on ice and fell. Mr Gonzalez was part of a crew of 24 Chilean and East European nationals on the vessel. The inquest will be held at Ip-City Centre in Bath Street, Ipswich.
THE Marine Accident Investigation Branch report concluded:
n There is little doubt, from his injuries and the position in which he was found, that AB Gonzalez died from falling into the cargo hold, most likely at some time between 6.42am and 6.45am
n It is considered that AB Gonzalez fell from a hatch cover adjacent to the opening above hold three
n It is likely that there was ice on parts of the hatch covers above hold three, making their surface slippery underfoot
n Without any witnesses to the accident, it is not possible to establish what AB Gonzalez was doing prior to the fall. Reportedly conscientious in his duties, he could have been engaged in a number of activities to monitor the cargo operation. In these circumstances, it would have been quite possible for him to have slipped on a patch of ice and fallen over the edge of the hatch cover
n It was reported to be common practice for some crew members to walk across holds where the hatch covers were partly open. Tempanos’s safety management system (SMS) did not control this risk sufficiently well
n There was no requirement in the vessel’s SMS for the crew to wear high visibility clothing on deck during cargo operations despite industry guidance to the contrary
n To improve safe working practices, a brief discussion should be held between the ship’s crew and container terminal staff prior to the commencement of cargo operations
n Greater effort is needed, both from container vessel and terminal operators, to incorporate advice from the International Cargo Handling Co-ordination Association and other organisations on safe working practices into their routine working procedures
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