Stockholm Vessel Reviews and Specifications

On September 1, 2025, a tragic incident occurred involving an ordinary seaman who fell overboard from the expedition vessel 'Stockholm' while engaged in painting work in the scenic waters surrounding Svalbard. A detailed report from the Swedish Accident Investigation Board revealed that deficiencies in the ship's systematic work environment were key factors contributing to this accident. The unfortunate incident unfolded as the seaman was tasked with completing a challenging painting job in a hard-to-reach area. To accomplish this, he opted to work from the exterior of the ship, utilizing a fall protection harness that was improperly attached to the railing with a sling and carabiner meant to serve as a support line. Alarmingly, no additional fall protection was in place at the time. He was accompanied by a trainee who assisted him during the task. However, the securing carabiner unexpectedly disengaged, causing the seaman, who was not equipped with a flotation device, to plunge into the cold waters below. In a swift response, the trainee promptly threw a lifebuoy into the water and called for help. The master of the ship, along with one of the onboard guides, quickly manned a rubber dinghy, which was launched to rescue the seaman within minutes. The board's report identified the primary cause of the incident as the lack of a proper fall protection device during the painting work, emphasizing that the equipment being used was not suited for the task at hand and was also configured incorrectly. Furthermore, the investigation highlighted the absence of clear procedures for managing work on deck and acknowledged that the systematic work environment on the vessel had not been fully implemented. Consequently, potential risks associated with onboard activities were overlooked, and crew members lacked adequate training on using fall protection equipment. Additionally, appropriate gear for such tasks was not available on board. In light of these findings, the Swedish Accident Investigation Board recommended that AB Ishavet, the owner of the 'Stockholm,' undertake a thorough review and enhancement of their systematic work environment protocols. The Swedish Transport Agency was also urged to broaden its oversight of passenger transport vessels not governed by the ISM Code, especially in higher-risk areas.