Erica Vessel Reviews and Specifications

A coroner's ruling has classified the tragic death of 51-year-old air conditioning technician, Lee Chee Tong, as a work-related incident following a severe accident that occurred on October 23, 2019, off the eastern coast of Singapore. Lee fell into the sea while attempting to disembark from the bulk carrier 'Angelic Glory,' now known as 'Erica,' onto a smaller launch boat amid stormy weather. Despite his desperate cries for assistance, Lee was unable to reach a life buoy thrown to him. His remains were discovered three days later by the Police Coast Guard, and identification was made through his right thumb. The findings indicate that Lee's death was a result of unfortunate workplace conditions, emphasizing the need for enhanced safety protocols. The coroner has urged the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), and the Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB) to consider forming a dedicated committee to implement necessary safety recommendations. At the time of the incident, Lee was not equipped with a life jacket, and a platform he stood on collapsed due to the sudden swell caused by challenging weather conditions. His employer, Rex Marine and Engineering, failed to establish safe work practices for boarding vessels or conducting repairs. Investigations revealed that their risk assessment overlooked critical safety measures, such as prohibiting boarding procedures during inclement weather. MOM is contemplating enforcement actions under the Workplace Safety and Health Act against those accountable. Lee was an experienced technician, having worked for more than 20 years in the marine sector and having completed safety training specific to shipyard protocols. During the incident, storms were escalating with rough seas and swells reaching up to 2 meters. Despite warnings about the challenging conditions, work proceeded, with Lee acting as the supervisor to three other technicians. As they prepared to leave the 'Angelic Glory,' conditions worsened, and as Lee transitioned to the launch boat, the platform tipped due to the boat's pitch caused by strong currents. Lee's attempts to cling to the ladder were futile as he fell into the turbulent waters. Initial rescue attempts failed, and a search was initiated without success until the discovery of his body days later. Separate investigations by the police, MOM, MPA, and TSIB revealed multiple lapses in safety protocols, including the lack of installed stanchions and the modification of the platform's securing arrangements. Moreover, the vessel's crew neglected essential safety guidelines to ensure a safe boarding process. Lee's official cause of death was determined to be drowning, with no indications of negligence on the part of the launch boat's operator. In response to the incident, the ship owner has updated its safety management system, and the repair company has implemented stricter safety measures requiring all personnel to wear life jackets at all times. In August 2020, the MPA disseminated a circular reinforcing guidelines for safe transfers between vessels at anchorages, highlighting the importance of appropriate safety gear and decision-making based on weather conditions.