Clipper Group company Seatruck Ferries has halted the use of forward cargo spaces on two of its ro-ros after a crewman lost his life in a crushing accident in July.
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released its initial findings into the incident on the 1,830-lane-metre freight vessel Clipper Pennant (built 2009) on 20 July in Liverpool.
The bosun suffered fatal crushing injuries during cargo loading operations, MAIB said.
The accident occurred after the seafarer directed a tractor unit driver to push a semi-trailer into its stowage location, between a semi-trailer that had already been lashed and the bulkhead at the port forward end of the upper vehicle deck.
As the semi-trailer was being manoeuvred, the bosun had positioned himself between the moving semi-trailer and the vessel's structure, MAIB found.
"Where tractor units are being used to position semi-trailers, there is an extreme risk of crushing injuries, particularly where the semi-trailer is manoeuvring close to the ship's structure, with limited means of escape for crew on deck," the report warned.
The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency's Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers (COSWP) says personnel should keep out of the way of moving vehicles, particularly those that are reversing, by standing to the side, and where possible should remain within the driver's line of sight.
Guidance ignored?
The Clipper Pennant's own deck safety and procedures guide stated: "During the loading of trailers, crew members must not stand behind the trailer. Never walk behind a moving vehicle or position yourself outside the sight of the tug driver."
MAIB said use of the port forward cargo stowage spaces has been temporarily suspended by Seatruck, pending further investigation and assessment.
The agency has asked operators to review their cargo-handling procedures to identify hazards in spaces where there may be limited areas for escape.
MAIB also recommended that these spaces not be used unless appropriate mitigating measures can be put in place.
Seatruck chief executive Alistair Eagles said: "All of us at Seatruck were deeply saddened by the incident on the Seatruck Pennant in which one of our crew lost their life.
"We have cooperated fully with the MAIB and other authorities, and we note the publication of their initial findings. Safety is our number one priority and we re-assessed all of our cargo-handling procedures following the incident."
Eagles said internal investigations are continuing and, during this time, the particular cargo space on the Clipper Pennant and its sistership remain out of use.
He added: "All crew have been re-trained in cargo-handling safety."
A full MAIB report will be published at a later date.
Series of accidents
The accident called into question Seatruck's safety record after earlier incidents.
In May 2019, a third officer on the 2,166-lane-metre Seatruck Progress (built 2011) died when he was hit by a trailer on the loading ramp as the vessel was being unloaded in Liverpool.
In December 2018, a bosun on the 1,830-lane-metre Seatruck Pace (built 2009) died after a fall from height while docked in the port.
Seatruck's 1,057-lane-metre Arrow (built 1998) also grounded in fog off Scotland in 2020.
The company has been contacted for comment.
