Britannia P&I Club: Double fatality resulting from confined space entry
- Safety Flash
- Published on 20 May 2021
- Generated on 24 April 2026
- IMCA SF 14/21
- 2 minute read
The Britannia P&I Club, as part of its BSAFE campaign has published a case study into a double fatality resulting from confined or enclosed space entry.
What happened?
A bulk carrier was loading logs, and the Chief Officer entered a cargo hold which contained logs. Upon entry he rapidly lost consciousness and fell from the entrance ladder. A fellow crew member who tried to rescue the Chief Officer suffered the same fate. They were later both pronounced dead due to asphyxia.
It had been noted that a rubber seal on the hold access door needed replacing. The Chief Officer descended into the cargo hold and after only a few steps suddenly fell onto the logs below. The bosun immediately alerted fellow crew members standing at the gangway, then made his way to the aft mooring station to get a rope. The Second Officer was at the gangway and alerted the master by radio. He then fetched a breathing apparatus (BA) set and also oxygen from the ship’s hospital. An Able Seaman, having alerted the Third Officer, returned to the hold and started to climb down into the hold with another crew member about to follow. The Bosun managed to prevent the latter from entering but the Able Seaman collapsed and fell.
The two men were retrieved from the hold, not without some difficulty, but both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Photograph courtesy of Britannia P&I Club
Actions
Members can review further information as follows:
- Britannia P&I Club case study material
- IMCA videos
- Confined spaces: the dangers (“Are you prepared” series short video)
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.