The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published the report of its investigation into the death of a crewmember that fell down a pump room hatch on the Liberian motor tanker ‘Inga’ at Pembroke on 7 July 2000.

SYNOPSIS
At 14:37 British Summer Time on 7 July 2000, the MAIB was informed of a serious injury to a crewmember on board the Liberian oil tanker ‘Inga’ while alongside Texaco No 2 berth at Pembroke, Milford Haven. The MAIB was later informed that the crewmember had been pronounced dead. Two inspectors were despatched to the scene that afternoon and an investigation began.

The incident occurred while the vessel was berthing after a short period at anchor. The deceased was one of the vessel's two pump men, and was noticed to be missing from his mooring station by the manifold.

After a brief search, his body was discovered lying on the bottom plates of the pump room directly below an unguarded hatch. It was quickly realised he was badly injured. Shore paramedics were called and he was declared dead at 15:30.

The pump room hatch was found to have been kept open by the crew as a regular practice when at sea. This was to assist with ventilation, heat, and lighting of the space. Only one pump room fan was fitted. Without this fan running the cargo pumps could not be started. The opening of the hatch effectively reduced the running hours of the fan.

There were no eyewitnesses to the pump man falling down the hatch, but it is believed that he sat on the lip of the hatch to examine a blister on his foot and overbalanced.

Safety recommendations have been made to the owner concerning guarding the hatch when it is open and keeping it closed except when being used for the purpose for which it is designed.

RECOMMENDATIONS
’Inga's’ owner, Clipstone Navigation, is recommended to:

1. Ensure the pump room hatch on board ‘Inga’ is guarded when open. A simple grating/cover plate on the interior lip would suffice.

2. Review and implement onboard procedures to remove the necessity for this hatch to be opened except for the purpose for which it was designed.