Report on marine casualty, fall onboard the ro-ro ship Link Star in the Port of Trondheim, 14 September 2023
Marine report 2024/06
The accident happened in connection with the completion of an unloading operation in which the second officer went ashore to get the cargo documents and a cargo claim form co-signed. When the second officer was going back into the ship again, he left the quay and went back to the ship through the open cargo hatch, via the dock fender and down onto the aft lift platform where he fell down the lift shaft and landed on the forward lift platform parked on the lower cargo deck. The gangway, which was meant to be used for passage to and from shore, had not been deployed at the time of the accident. The NSIA believes that the design involving a long walk and roundabout path from the cargo decks where the unloading took place, to the quay via the gangway, was inexpedient for the signing to be carried out on the quay. This meant that the crew used the cargo lifts as a shortcut and access route, even though this was not intended or designed for safe passage.
Similar use of cargo lifts on similar ships has also been observed in other ports, which shows that others also regard this as a possible access route. If no other working method is found for getting cargo documents signed, it is likely that the cargo lift and side hatch will continue to be used as an access route, and a similar accident may occur in the future.
The NSIA makes one safety recommendation to the shipping company to change the working method for getting cargo documents signed to prevent cargo lifts being used for personnel transport.
Published 17.04.2024
Safety recommendation
Safety Recommendation Marine No. 2024/20T
On Thursday 14 September 2023, an accident occurred involving the ro-ro ship ‘Link Star’, which was moored in the Port of Trondheim. A crew member fell from a cargo lift and died as he was returning to the ship after getting cargo documents signed.
The investigation has shown that there was no efficient alternative to handing over cargo documents in person that did not involve deploying the gangway from the cargo deck, walking up to the freeboard deck via ladders, and further aft towards the wheelhouse where the gangway was located. This meant that the crew used the cargo lifts as a shortcut and access route, and that this working method was accepted because they ‘exercised caution’. If no other working method is implemented for getting cargo documents signed, it is likely that the cargo lifts and side hatch will continue to be used as an access route and a similar accident may occur in the future.
The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that Norwest Ship Management AS change the working method for getting cargo documents signed to prevent cargo lifts being used for personnel transport.
Facts
| Location | Harbour of Trondheim |
| Occurrence date | 14.09.2023 |
| Accident category | Personal injury |
| Area | Norwegian Territorial Waters |
| IMO number | 8805602 |
| Name of vessel | Link Star |
| Accident type | Fatal Accident, Fall on board, Occupational accident |
| Vessel type | General Cargo Ship |
| Register | The Norwegian International Ship Register |