MAIB Report Highlights Safety Failures in Bulk Carrier Sailor’s Tragic Death

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) in the UK recently published a report on the tragic death of a sailor on the bulk carrier Equinox Seas during scheduled maintenance at a shipyard. The incident occurred on April 17, 2023, when a crew member fell 10 meters into an open ventilation shaft where a fan had been removed for maintenance. Despite being rescued and taken to the hospital, the sailor succumbed to his injuries.

The investigation revealed that the sailor had crossed a barrier leading to the fan room, potentially due to reduced alertness at the time of the accident (around 1:50 p.m.). Records showed that the sailor’s working hours exceeded the scheduled time in the days leading up to the incident, indicating a possible factor in the accident. The safety controls in the ventilator room were deemed insufficient, and risks associated with fan removal were not properly assessed or mitigated.

The MAIB’s investigation highlighted deficiencies in safety management onboard Equinox Seas during its time at the shipyard. Ineffective communication and coordination between the shipyard and the ship’s personnel contributed to safety lapses that went unaddressed. Recommendations were made for the ship management company Equinox Maritime to enhance its safety management system, while the shipyard, ONEX Syros Shipyards in Greece, was urged to update its safety management to effectively manage the risks posed by its workers in coordination with the ship’s crew.

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