Report on investigation of marine accident regarding fall overboard from cargo ship Nysand LJIE on departure from port at Forus 24 October 2008
Marine report 2010/09 eng
On the evening of 24 October 2008, just after 2100 hours, the crew of Nysand started to prepare the departure from Forusstranda. The unloading had not quite been completed, but the master had entered the wheel house and started the engine, while the ordinary seaman went down to the quay to let go the moorings. The motorman/mechanic was in the excavator, unloading gravel while the first mate went forward to the forecastle. The master started maneuvering the vessel away from the quay before the ordinary seaman had made it back on board. After putting away from the quay, the motorman/mechanic, still in the excavator, saw that the ordinary seaman was hanging by her arms from the railing on the ship's side. The motorman/mechanic started shouting, and the first mate and master became aware of the situation. The master started moving the vessel astern, while the first mate ran abaft to prepare the man over board boat (MOB) for launch. The motorman/mechanic saw the ordinary seaman fall into the sea. When the MOB boat had been launched and the search for the ordinary seaman had started, the master hailed RCC for assistance. Briefly after the arrival of the helicopter, the helicopter crew observed the ordinary seaman, and communicated the position to a rescue boat that had arrived. The crew of the rescue boat brought the ordinary seaman on board, and immediately attempted to resuscitate her. The ordinary seaman was declared dead at 2230 hours.
AIBN has carried out a safety investigation to map the course of events and identify any underlying causes with a view towards issuing safety recommendations which can prevent similar accidents in the future. In its investigation of the accident, AIBN has chosen to emphasize the general systems which are essential for safe operation of ships, rather than individual elements that may have impacted the outcome of the accident negatively.
The investigation identified key deficiencies as regards safety management, work, health and safety on board, and deficient follow-up and supervision on part of the authorities in this connection. The study has also uncovered that the regulations do not define the scope for safety management systems for cargo vessels with a gross tonnage of less than 500 gross tonnes (gt). AIBN submits two safety recommendations as a result of the investigation. These are addressed to the Norwegian Maritime Directorate.
Facts
| Location | Forusstranda |
| Occurrence date | 24.10.2008 |
| Accident category | Personal injury |
| Area | Norwegian Territorial Waters |
| Name of vessel | Nysand |
| Accident type | Fatal Accident, Fall over board, Occupational accident |
| Vessel type | General Cargo Ship |
| Register | The Norwegian Ship Register |