A tragic incident occurred about ten years ago involving the cargo ship Nefryt, resulting in the death of two crew members and hospitalization of fifteen others. Captain Kuba Szymanski of Intermanager highlights the crucial lack of information often faced by crew members, pointing out that the responsibility for proper freight documentation falls not only on the ship’s captain but also on the cargo senders. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) now acknowledges this shared responsibility, empowering masters to demand safety data for specific freight.
The incident involved the crew of the Nefryt suffering from poisoning due to phosphine gas exposure, likely resulting from inadequate ventilation of the air conditioning system. Szymanski emphasizes that 6% of fatal accidents onboard happen in accommodations, raising concerns about safety practices in the maritime industry. The failure to report and investigate these incidents hinders improvements in safety measures, as reiterated by Szymanski.
Following the Nefryt’s journey to the Ivory Coast and subsequent health troubles among the crew, medical evaluations revealed phosphine poisoning. This toxic gas poses severe health risks, underscoring the need for stringent safety protocols and reporting mechanisms to prevent future tragedies at sea.
