Crew Member Fatally Injured By Fallen Twist Lock [Manzanillo, Mexico – 03 May 2019]

Posted by admin on May 13, 2019 in Bulletins

Reports (some of which are conflicting) have reached Blueoceana Company this morning, which speak to an accident occurring aboard C/V MOL BRAVO at Manzanillo port, Mexico (Colima State) on 03 May 2019.

The most reliable of those reports alleges that a port worker was struck by a twist lock that had fallen from an aloft position. No information relative to how the twist lock fell nor what personal protection (if any) was being worn by the accident victim is provided. We hope to come by that information in the near future.

Some initial reports circulating online indicate that the worker was a merchant mariner, and that the cause of death was being struck by a fallen container. Those accounts have been apparently clarified by local news media reporting (see link below), which appears conclusive as to general identity and cause.

UPDATE: 13 May 2019 [8:00 PM EST] – After considerable research, Blueoceana Company has found that the fatally injured worker has now been identified as Mr. Hiran Salwathura (see photo below). Mr. Salwathura was (despite being identified as a “port worker” by the local press), in fact 2nd Officer aboard CV MOL BRAVO, and was in the process of checking container lashing arrangements when he was struck on the head by a semi-automatic twist lock that had fallen from a container passing overhead. We are made to understand that he was not wearing a hard hat when struck.