Report on fatal accident onbord Höegh London in the Malta Channel on 24 February 2019
Marine report 2022/11
The vessel was sailing between Sicily and Malta in the afternoon of 24 February 2019. The vessel's movements as a result of heavy seas, caused too much pressure on the cargo securing devices, so that some of the heavier cargo was torn loose and shifted on the deck. The captain, chief mate and bosun went down on deck to check the extent of damage and water ingress. When the vessel heeled, the cargo shifted, and the bosun was crushed and perished from the injuries.
The cargo had made a hole in the hull and seawater entered the deck. This meant that the loose, unsecured cargo quickly shifted over the wet deck and that the bosun did not have time to get to safety and became crushed between the hull and the vehicle.
This report is in Norwegian only.
No safety recommendation is issued in connection with this investigation.
Published 07.10.2022
Facts
| Location | Mediterranean Sea, international waters south of Sicily |
| Occurrence date | 24.02.2019 |
| Accident category | Personal injury |
| Area | International Waters |
| IMO number | 9342205 |
| Name of vessel | Höegh London |
| Accident type | Fatal Accident, Shifting cargo, Weather damage, Occupational accident |
| Vessel type | Bulk Cargo Ship |
| Register | The Norwegian International Ship Register |