Discover the Teal-Bay: Ratings & Maritime News

A tragic incident aboard the 'Teal Bay' on August 30, 2021, led to the untimely death of chief officer Yuriy Maslov, aged 54, due to an unsafe loading operation, as revealed in an investigative report by the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB). The accident occurred in Kavkaz when a mooring line unexpectedly snapped from an open roller fairlead, striking Maslov on the head while the vessel was being adjusted for cargo loading. With over two decades of experience in the industry, Maslov was properly equipped for the operation, wearing a T-shirt, shorts, safety boots, gloves, and a hard hat. At the time of the incident, the 'Teal Bay' was moored alongside another ship for the transfer of cargo. During this process, as the bosun adjusted the forward springs, an aft spring was pulled to move the vessel forward. Unfortunately, the tension caused the mooring line to recoil violently, resulting in catastrophic injuries to Maslov. A post-mortem examination confirmed that Maslov suffered from closed blunt force trauma to the head, significant brain swelling, and a brain hemorrhage. The MAIB report highlighted the inappropriateness of using an open fairlead during cargo transfer operations, particularly given the risks associated with a freeboard differential that could lead to upward tension on the mooring lines. The report further pointed out that Maslov was in a hazardous zone near a tense mooring line at the time of the accident and criticized the operational procedures that led to the decision to move the 'Teal Bay' with an under-staffed crew that had not properly assessed the related risks. Although operational logs showed that the officer complied with work and rest regulations, it was noted that he was likely fatigued, a factor that may have clouded his judgment and expedited his actions to complete the job swiftly. Additionally, the response to the incident was hampered by delays in medical assistance, with over two hours passing before Maslov received professional care. The MAIB indicated that the lack of coordination in managing the medical response may have adversely impacted Maslov’s survival odds. In light of this tragedy, V.Ships has taken proactive measures by providing enhanced safety training for the crew of the 'Teal Bay', disseminating a fleet-wide safety alert about the findings of the investigation, and embarking on a plan to systematically replace open fairleads on their vessels to prevent similar accidents in the future.