A standard maintenance task aboard the fishing vessel Antarctic Discovery escalated into a hazardous situation when decomposing fish waste was inadvertently pumped into the machinery space, resulting in four workers being hospitalized, according to a recent investigation by New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC). The incident occurred on February 21, 2025, during maintenance work at Lyttelton dry dock, where two apprentice fitters were working near a tank filled with decaying fish offal and seawater.
Investigators opined that one worker likely activated an unmarked start button for the offal pump, causing a discharge of hazardous waste and releasing hydrogen sulfide, a toxic gas linked to decomposing organic matter. The two apprentices managed to escape, but the vessel’s superintendent and the chief and second engineers were not as fortunate; they collapsed upon entry to the compartment and required rescue by crew members using breathing apparatus.
TAIC highlighted significant safety failures, noting that nearby equipment that could have posed a risk was not isolated before maintenance commenced. Furthermore, the bow thruster machinery space should have been treated as a confined space due to its enclosed nature and potential hazards. The investigation underscored the need for effective communication and coordination among organizations working on the vessel, as overlapping responsibilities can jeopardize safety.
While Australian Longline Pty. Ltd., the vessel’s owner, has taken corrective actions, TAIC recommended further improvements to enhance the management of safety-critical systems and dry dock safety. The commission emphasized that their investigation aimed to bolster transport safety rather than assign blame, with the intent of preventing similar incidents in the future.
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