Person accidentally drank hazardous substance: Unmarked bottle
- Safety Flash
- Published on 2 June 2017
- Generated on 17 September 2025
- IMCA SF 13/17
- 1 minute read
A third-party agent on board a vessel during port clearance formalities drank from a mineral water bottle which instead of mineral water contained a small quantity of diluted bleaching liquid.
What happened?
A third-party agent was on board a vessel during port clearance formalities. On the bridge, there was a mineral water bottle from which he took a swallow.
The agent immediately spat it out as the taste was different. He subsequently drank a great deal of water and felt unwell for a time but there were no long-term ill effects and he subsequently left the vessel feeling OK.
What went wrong?
The bottle, which was not marked as such, contained a small quantity of diluted bleaching liquid that the bridge staff was using for cleaning the table top.
Members may wish to reiterate some fundamentals of safety awareness to vessel crews in the context of this incident.
Related Safety Flashes
-
IMCA SF 04/16
5 February 2016
IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.
The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.
All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.
IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.
The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual's or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.
Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.