The UK Marine Accident Investigation Department (MAIB) has launched its report on a tragic incident aboard the sail coaching vessel Pelican of London, the place a volunteer aid cook dinner fell to his dying from the ship’s gangway on October 2, 2023.
The investigation has revealed critical security issues and prompted suggestions for improved insurance policies and procedures.
In line with the MAIB report, the aid cook dinner fell from the highest of the vessel’s gangway right into a flooded drydock at 11:08 PM whereas inebriated. His absence went unnoticed till the next morning, and his physique was recovered by police divers within the early afternoon of October 3.
The investigation uncovered a number of issues of safety, together with an inadequately rigged gangway that failed to supply protected entry to the vessel. “The association of gangway guard ropes and security web didn’t stop the aid cook dinner’s entry into the water,” the report acknowledged. Moreover, the vessel’s on-board coaching and danger assessments had been discovered to be inadequate in mitigating the chance of falls from the gangway.
The report additionally highlighted issues relating to alcohol consumption amongst crew members. The aid cook dinner was discovered to have a blood alcohol degree of 190 milligrams per decilitre, nicely above the authorized restrict for responsibility.
The report particulars the occasions main as much as the tragic incident. On September 28, the aid cook dinner acquired a handover and induction temporary earlier than beginning his duties. Within the following days, he was noticed ingesting closely at a neighborhood bar. On the night time of October 2, he joined his colleagues on the bar, consuming no less than 9 double whiskies over almost 3 hours. He was the final to depart the bar at 22:51, returning to the ship alone. This sample of alcohol consumption finally contributed to the deadly accident that occurred later that night time.
The vessel’s drug and alcohol coverage didn’t specify pointers for crew members returning on board after leisure time ashore.
In response to those findings, the MAIB has issued suggestions to Seas Your Future, the charity working the Pelican of London. These embody reviewing and amending insurance policies and procedures for gangway association, danger evaluation, and alcohol administration.
A spokesperson for Seas Your Future acknowledged, “We’re deeply saddened by this tragic incident and are dedicated to implementing the MAIB’s suggestions to make sure the protection of all people aboard our vessels.”
The MAIB report will be discovered right here. The company additionally produced a security flyer to the delivery business with the report, signposting steerage on the best way to safely rig a gangway.
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