A seafarer died on a Royal Caribbean cruiseship because safety rules were not followed, according to the Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA).
The ordinary seaman was working on the exterior of the solarium windows of the 78,717-gt Vision of the Seas (built 1998) when the accident happened at the Italian port of Livorno in September.
He fell 9.1 metres (30 feet) from deck nine and, although he survived the fall, an attempted rescue did not reach him before he was overcome by the sea.
The BMA investigation revealed that the area was not adequately prepared to support maintenance work, nor was a satisfactory fall-prevention device provided. The crew could only secure themselves by improvising techniques.
When the seaman fell, he was not connected to the ship’s structure by two lanyards attached to his harness or wearing a flotation device, as required by safety regulations.
Senior leadership
The report said a flotation device could have saved the man’s life.
“Despite both options, a life jacket and a life vest, being readily available onboard, the decision was made by the senior leadership and endorsed by the deck department personnel that a flotation device of any sort would not be worn,” it said.
“There is no doubt that had a flotation device been worn, positive buoyancy would have been maintained and as such the recovery of the OS [ordinary seaman] from the water would have been achievable.”
The BMA has recommended that Royal Caribbean provide secure installations for maintenance of the solarium exterior and require maintenance crew working at height to wear flotation equipment and to attach themselves to a secure anchor point.
It also asked the company to review its safety quality management system.
