Seaman Struck and Killed by Parted Mooring Line [Quebec, CA – 23 May 2017]

Posted by admin on May 24, 2017 in Bulletins

In yet another stark reminder of the inherent dangers encountered by both shipboard and shoreside line handlers, a thirty-eight year old as yet unnamed merchant seaman lost his life during the berthing of M/V NORD QUEBEC (see photo below) at the port of Trois Rivieres on Tuesday. The handy size vessel is owned by D/S Norden Shipping of Denmark, classed with DNV/GL and insured by North of England P&I Association.

Initial media reports coming to Blueoceana Company this morning related the cause as being “a broken steel cable”, however, we now understand that Jens Christensen, Norden’s vice president of bulker operations and head of the firm’s technical department, is on record as stating that the fatal injury was a result of a forward spring line parting and striking the mariner on his head.

Over the last few years, mooring accidents have been on the rise throughout the world. IMO has recognized the spike in incidence rates, and has established a Correspondence Group whose task it is to formulate a Code of Practice that, if implemented, could perhaps stem the rising tide of line handling/mooring accidents.

Link to Media Account:  TSB investigating Pinoy seafarer’s death on Norden bulker at Port of Trois-Rivières (052417)