Sub-lieutenant lost his life from internal bleeding three days after an accident with a portable ladder on the ship.
Another real tragic incident which resulted in a person losing his life when he could have survived even after the accident.
The portable ladder was placed between the ship and the terminal station, with the end that has the hooks facing the ship’s side and the other end with the cylinder facing the shore. When the loading was completed, the crew began the process of securing the ladder for departure.
To retrieve the ladder onto the ship, the crew was divided into four groups. The ladder was lifted by the ship’s crane, and each crew member positioned at each corner held a rope to stabilize and guide it once it was in the air.
The lifting of the ladder began with the crane, but the side with the hooks facing the ship’s side got stuck. As the sub-lieutenant approached the spot to see what was happening, suddenly the hook released. Since the crane hook connected to the ladder was not exactly under the boom, the ladder moved uncontrollably toward the ship, pushing the sub-lieutenant onto a vent of the ballast tank.
After the accident, the Captain visually inspected the sub-lieutenant’s abdominal area and instructed him to rest. The ship departed according to schedule.
At the next port, the sub-lieutenant went to the hospital, and examinations revealed internal bleeding in his abdomen. Despite the doctor’s advice, the sailor refused to stay in the hospital for further monitoring and treatment. He received some painkillers and returned to the ship early the next morning. The ship was loading at the terminal station, and the sub-lieutenant, as was normal, could not perform his duties and remained in bed due to abdominal pain.
Ice packs were placed on his abdomen to alleviate the pain, but the next day, the unfortunate sailor felt weak. An ambulance was immediately called, but when it arrived, the unfortunate sailor was already dead.
The Lesson of the Tragic Accident
Nearly three days passed from the moment of the accident until the sub-lieutenant’s death. Internal bleeding is a serious injury, but its symptoms may take considerable time to become apparent.
Even seemingly minor accidents can have severe consequences. Always tend to injuries and pay special attention to potential internal injuries.
Decisions on whether someone is fit to work after an injury should not be left solely to the person who suffered the injury. Company procedures should provide clear guidance to captains and crew on actions after diagnosis.
Every lift with the ship’s crane should be performed carefully so that the boom’s tip remains directly above the hook.
We have often mentioned that every task on the ship should be assessed and performed by experienced sailors. Especially now, in the era of the Coronavirus, even more attention should be given, as if a serious injury occurs, it is very difficult for someone to visit the hospital, particularly in Asian ports and more specifically in China.
