What Crew Members Say About Bahia-Cargo

On January 8, 2023, a tragic incident involving a pilot on the vessel 'Finnhawk', operating under the name 'Bahia Cargo', resulted in a fatal accident that calls attention to critical safety protocols in maritime operations. An investigation conducted by the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) revealed that the pilot involved should not have been deemed fit for duty prior to the accident. During the boarding process via the 15-meter pilot vessel 'Humber Saturn' in the Humber Estuary, the pilot is believed to have experienced a sudden “cardiac event”. As he attempted to navigate the ladder leading to the ferry, he fell into the water after hitting the deck of the 'Humber Saturn'. Unfortunately, he lost consciousness shortly thereafter and required immediate recovery assistance. Despite being swiftly retrieved onto the recovery platform of the smaller vessel, the platform encountered mechanical issues and could not be elevated. The pilot remained partially submerged in the frigid waters for over 40 minutes before being transported to a lifeboat. He was subsequently airlifted to the hospital by a Coastguard helicopter, where he was later pronounced dead. The MAIB investigation illuminated troubling findings regarding the pilot's medical history. It was noted that a medical certificate issued just six months prior should not have afforded him a classification of being fully fit for duty, considering he suffered from multiple chronic conditions that could jeopardize his ability to perform his piloting responsibilities. The investigation uncovered significant evidence indicating that the pilot was at high risk for a sudden cardiac incident without any prior warning. While the possibility of an accidental loss of footing was acknowledged, the results pointed towards a likely cardiac arrhythmia as the contributing factor to his fall. A postmortem examination identified that the pilot had pre-existing health conditions, including high cholesterol, heart disease, hypertension, heart failure, a history of stroke, chronic kidney disease, and obesity. Though the pilot's head sustained no injuries during the fall, his thoracic spine was fractured, indicating he likely absorbed much of the impact force on landing. The inquiry also highlighted deficiencies in the recovery platform's design, which impaired its effectiveness in lifting the pilot, further diminishing his survival chances. Alarmingly, the port authority's “stop work” procedure failed to prevent the pilot from working that day, despite concerns expressed by his colleagues regarding his apparent unfitness for duty. In response, the MAIB has recommended that Associated British Ports reassess its risk evaluation strategies and enhance pilots’ personal protective equipment to boost their survival rates in cold water scenarios. The organization also urged port and industry bodies to develop comprehensive guidance related to establishing occupational health standards for marine pilots and implementing suitable personal protective gear. While positive steps have been taken by port and industry entities to address the identified safety gaps, the MAIB has emphasized the importance of learning from this tragic accident, advocating for all harbor authorities to reassess their pilotage services to ensure comprehensive safety measures are in place.