DMAIB – Officer of the Watch

Seaman Killed Due to Rescue Boat Hook Failure – Investigation Report

This investigation report refers to an accident that took place during a drill with the vessel’s rescue boat. When the second of the two crewmembers entered the boat at the embarkation level, the jaw end of a swivel connected to the rescue boat’s hook failed due to a damaged split pin, and the boat fell approximately 18 meters to the sea with the two crewmembers on board. One able seaman (AB) was killed instantly when the boat hit the water. The other crewmember was severely injured but with the prospects of a full recovery.

This accident investigation report refer to the collision of a Bulk Carrier and a Containership. More specifically, on 5 June 2012 at 22:34:40 hours, the Hong Kong flagged bulk carrier SPRING GLORY and the Danish flagged container ship JOSEPHINE MAERSK collided in the eastern approaches to the Singapore Strait, approx. 7 nm NE of Horsburgh Lighthouse. The collision caused damage to both ships and to the cargo of JOSEPHINE MAERSK. In JOSEPHINE MAERSK a fire in the electrical installations of some refrigerated containers was caused by the collision. No one was injured and there was no pollution of the environment.