Case Studies

A container ship collided with a small general cargo ship at night in clear weather under slight sea conditions, immediately after which the smaller cargo ship sank, with the loss of three crew members.

An eight-metre pleasure craft was struck by a passing bulk carrier while anchored for the night in a shipping lane off the north east coast of Australia

A ship with new management and a new crew sailed in ballast. The new crew reportedly did not verify the status of the ballast tanks, which were about 80% full.

A bulk carrier loaded feed wheat into the vessel’s two holds. Once loading was complete, a specialised fumigation contractor applied aluminium phosphide pellets, loose, into the cargo. The fumigation process was intended to continue during the voyage to the discharge port as the tablets decomposed and gave off phosphine gas.

A handy-sized bulk carrier was loaded with wheat, and the cargo was fumigated after completion of loading. When the fumigation procedure was undertaken, the hatch covers, ventilators and access hatches to all five cargo holds were sealed.

The crew and stevedores had completed loading a cargo of shea nuts on a general cargo vessel. Before departure, two persons arrived on board to distribute fumigating agent (a phosphine emitting agent).

A research vessel was at sea with no apparent rolling or pitching. An engine room crew member was undertaking maintenance on one of the watertight doors.

An engine crew member was assembling the sewage air blower motor back into position after maintenance. He had to lower the motor vertically to align with the shaft below. Since it was a small motor, he thought it safe to align it with his hands while wearing gloves.

On board a vessel, an electrician was cutting a steel pipe with a grinding tool. The protecting guard of the grinder had been removed to permit the use of a larger disc.