200807 Fall through tank manhole

Two crew members were ordered to open a wing ballast tank on board a container vessel at sea. The cover was opened and secured beside the tank manhole. During the course of this work, a crew member accidentally fell through the open manhole, down two decks and was seriously injured. The master was informed immediately about the accident and a team assembled to recover the casualty and to render medical first aid. He was then rescued from the tank and carried to the ship’s hospital for further treatment. Radio medical advice was obtained and the ship deviated to an emergency port. The crew member was disembarked the next day and transferred to a hospital from where he was eventually discharged.