Liberia Maritime Authority has drawn attention to the serious health hazards associated with seafarers consuming liquids containing ethanol and other chemicals not intended for human consumption.
As informed, the Administration has investigated five fatal incidents aboard Liberian-flagged vessels involving the ingestion of hazardous liquids. These cases include accidental ingestion of cleaning chemicals mistaken for drinking water, intentional consumption of hand sanitizer and mineral spirits due to lack of access to alcohol, and consumption of counterfeit alcohol purchased from unauthorized sources. Each incident revealed gaps in safety culture, supervision, and crew training.
Recommendations
Following the investigation, the Administration has provided the following set of recommendations:
#1 Chemical safety & storage
Label all containers clearly and permanently, especially those used for chemicals or cleaning agents.
Prohibit reuse of food or beverage containers for storing chemicals.
Secure hazardous substances in locked cabinets with restricted access.
#2 Crew awareness & training
Conduct regular safety briefings on the dangers of ingesting unknown substances.
Include ethanol poisoning awareness in onboard health and safety training.
Reinforce STCW Code Section /1 (Basic Safety Training).
#3 Alcohol & substance control
Enforce a strict no-consumption policy for non-consumable substances, including hand sanitizers and industrial alcohols.
Monitor and control access to alcohol substitutes and educate crew on the dangers of counterfeit products.
Comply with MLC 2006 Regulation 4.1, ensuring access to medical care and mental health support.
#4 Medical response preparedness
Equip vessels with ethanol poisoning treatment protocols and ensure crew know how to respond.
Maintain 24/7 access to telemedical services.
Ensure Medical Chest contents comply with WHO and IMO guidelines.
#5 ISM Code compliance
Review and revise Safety Management Systems under ISM Code Part A, Section 7 to include:
Risk assessments for chemical handling and storage.
Emergency response procedures for accidental ingestion.
Supervision protocols for crew behavior and substance control.
Leadership & accountability
Masters and Senior officers:
Conduct routine cabin inspections to detect misuse of substances.
Foster a culture of open reporting without fear of retaliation.
