Precautionary tales

Second Engineer cut top off his finger removing an exhaust clamp from main engine.

Owner recently fined by UK authorities. Outward bound from Antwerp, unable to disembark pilot at Wandelaar due to adverse weather so decided to disembark at Dover. Did not report this to UK authorities until launch was requested.

Engineer slammed steering flat door against hand and severed finger

Officer trapped fingers between boat hook and ship’s side. Company recognises risk assessment needed and that seafarers are not automatically good boat handlers.

Third Officer working in lifeboat in very hot conditions, went straight to gym and was exercising strenuously in cold air-conditioned environment. Tore ligaments in his back. Doctor attributes this to the sudden exertion and extremes of temperature.

Fire in accommodation void space proved difficult to access and caused considerable damage. Investigation showed that a Deckhand was throwing cigarette ends into void space from his cabin from behind the air conditioning trunk. It was later alleged (by several crew members) that he was being severely bullied, occasionally violently, by an Officer over a number of issues including his cigarette smoking. The Company are investigating this.

Loaded VLCC encountered 40 refugees in a small boat off Mauretania showing distress signals. Called Las Palmas rescue centre who advised that if the Captain thought the vessel was in distress, he should embark them and they could be landed in Las Palmas or Morocco. Took them on board, fed & watered and handed them over to a Moroccan gunboat two days later. Las Palmas and Moroccan authorities ‘extremely co-operative’.

An agent rang the DPA to advise him that she had just spoken to the Captain who ‘didn’t seem quite right’. He had apparently declared undying love to her over her cellphone. The DPA rang the Captain who initially said that all was well but later mentioned he ‘may have had a drink’. Unknown to all, the Mate had telephoned the DPA a few hours earlier and advised him that Captain was drinking heavily.