Safety Alert: Fatal fall from hatch coaming into hold

On 10 April 2024 an Able Seafarer Deck on bulk carrier M/V EUROSTAR (IMO 9546203) fell from the hatch coaming into a hold during cleaning operations.

The vessel was underway when the deck crew was instructed to carry out cleaning of Cargo Holds No.1 and No.2, washing down hatch coamings to remove cargo remnants.

The crew was divided into two teams: one working on the port, the other starboard side of Cargo Hold No.2. An Able Seaman Deck (ASD1) was positioned on the starboard hatch coaming, assisted by an Ordinary Seaman. ASD1 instructed the OS to go and inform ASD2 to clean both sides of the hatch coaming simultaneously. The OS went to inform the ASD2 accordingly and shortly thereafter, the OS returned to ASD1’s location but did not find him on the cargo hatch coaming. Looking down into Cargo Hold No. 2, the OS observed ASD1 lying on the tank top.

Emergency response was immediately initiated. The casualty was lifted from the hold on a stretcher and transferred to the ship’s hospital, where first aid and oxygen support were administered. The ship rendezvoused with a Royal Thai Naval vessel for additional medical care but the injured crew member was declared deceased.

Conclusions and lessons

Absence of continuous supervision and an on-scene officer at the time of the fall.
The buddy system was interrupted when the OS was sent to communicate with the port-side team, leaving the ASD1 momentarily unobserved.
No secondary/backup fall-arrest line during connection/disconnection of the harness to the securing point.
Equipment integrity uncertainty where there were indications of worn/frayed strap and reliance on an extension rope rather than a verified approved sling/anchorage, coupled with the disposal of the harness post-incident.
Wet surfaces and vessel motion during cleaning, increasing slip risk.
Execution gap between documented SMS controls (permits, RA, Tool Box Talk) and actual practice on deck.

Probable cause

The probable cause was a fall that likely occurred during attachment or repositioning of the safety harness without a backup safety line, in conditions with wet surfaces and insufficient on-scene supervision.

ICHCA notes

Readers are likely to find a gap between documented safety controls (work as imagined) and actual practice on deck (work as done) a familiar conclusion. Organisations have, rightly, put considerable effort into implementing their SMSs. However, genuinely engaging those who are involved in the work is critical to the success of the SMS. For the SMS to work, people need to feel that it is meaningful to them, that it is worth sticking to and doing right every time, all the time.

The report of this incident was published by the Liberia Maritime Authority 24 December 2025. It is not currently available on the LMA web site and is therefore attached to this alert. The images and content are copyright Liberia Maritime Authority.

For the full Report Click Here

Amanda Cooper2026-03-10T11:08:18+00:00March 10th, 2026|