Precautionary tales

Bosun suffered back injury stowing rope ladder. He had stowed this alone many times without any problem but this time it was wet and heavier as a consequence.

Whilst at mooring stations, Bosun took the opportunity to grease forward winch mechanism whilst winch was operating. Glove caught in mechanism. ‘Degloved’ hand (i.e. removed all skin).

Found tin-appearance Japanese fire suits to be unsuitable as not meeting SOLAS requirements. These are standard issue from most Asian yards but have long been suspected as cooking the wearer rather than protecting them.

Two cases of ‘whistle blowing’. A conflict between the Chief Engineer and Third Engineer culminated in the dismissal of the Third Engineer after he was found to be asleep on duty. In a US port, the agent collected the Third Engineer to take him to the local airport. Three hours later however, the Third Engineer returned with the USCG who advised the Captain that the vessel was to be investigated for alleged dumping at sea. All computers, hard drives etc were taken ashore for analysis, the oily water separator dismantled and all garbage bins inspected for paper evidence. The statement from the sacked Engineer stated that….’ I have suspicions but have not actually seen anything…..’. Not proven.

In a second incident, an Engineer cadet told a class surveyor that be believed his Chief Engineer was bypassing the separator but couldn’t prove it. Investigated by class and the Company and not proven.

This Company insists that a copy of every completed page and the current page are sent into the Company with the vessel’s monthly report.

North Africa – own vessel in collision with fishing vessel. Clear visibility and good radar picture. Captain and bridge team claim fishing vessel deliberately collided with own vessel to make insurance claim, but voyage data recorder showed that a small alteration of course of less than 5 degrees had been made several minutes earlier in contravention of the collision regulations as regards as safe distance, despite there being adequate sea room.

Theft of cash in an Arctic port. Police attended on arrival with customs and immigration officers etc. Captain received cash from agents and was then distracted by police questions as he was counting it. At some time between the first count and the final count, five one-hundred dollar bills had disappeared.

Crew recovering tender. Crew member stood between ship’s side and tender to secure lifting hook, against company procedures. Ship rolled and crewmember crushed, pronounced dead on scene.

Third Engineer took short cut down from generator during overhaul and slid down casing to deck. Slipped and fell injuring shin and face. Did not report accident. Ten days later, leg had swollen. Medevac. Extensive tissue damage had become gangrenous and required amputation.