InterManager is urging seafarers to participate in a global survey to uncover why fatal incidents in enclosed spaces continue to occur despite regulations and training. The urgency is due to a spike in tragedies: 34 fatalities were reported across 14 incidents in 2023, nearly double the toll from 2022.
Identifying the Core Problem
The typical incident involves a person becoming incapacitated in an oxygen-depleted environment, followed by colleagues rushing in and succumbing to the same hazard. Captain Kuba Szymanski, Secretary General of InterManager, argues that focusing on the seafarer’s selfless response during a rescue is missing the point. He believes the focus should be on preventing unnecessary and unwitting access to these spaces. The problem is complicated by factors outside the seafarer’s control, such as poor ship design and ventilation.
Strengthening Regulations and Seeking Real-World Data
The call for the survey follows recent amendments to IMO resolution A.1050(27). These amendments enhance safety requirements, including better emergency response plans, enhanced training, and individual risk assessments for each enclosed space. InterManager’s survey, conducted with The Nautical Institute and IMarEST, seeks honest, first-hand insight to identify the practical barriers that remain, effectively bridging the gap between rules “on paper” and reality onboard.
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Source: Seatrade Maritime
