HomeServicesInvestigations Published Investigation Reports In accordance with the Bahamas Merchant Shipping Act and under SOLAS Chapter I Regulation 21 and Chapter XI Regulation 6, the Investigations Department undertakes to investigate all very serious marine casualties, the findings of which will be published and provided to the IMO. Silver Nova – Lift fatality During the transfer of an ash bag to an upper deck, a wiper who was asked to assist, was seriously injured when the cage lift, he entered in order to free the ash bag that had become wedged, gave way, trapping and crushing his leg and lower body. Occurred: 22 February 2024 Published: 14 November 2024 Seapeak Napa – fire on deck After completion of cargo loading and sampling operations, the vessel’s gas engineer identified that liquid cargo was leaking from the cargo manifold. Having identified that the blank was probably missing a gasket, the gas engineer and duty able seafarer were unbolting the blank when the cargo vapour ignited, creating a fire ball that engulfed the manifold platform and extended in excess of 10 meters in diameter. Occurred: 27 October 2023 Published: 15 October 2024 Fri Sea – man overboard After rigging the pilot ladder, an able seafarer was lost overboard. Despite a search by multiple air and sea assets the seafarer’s body was found, washed ashore, next morning. Occurred: 28 March 2024 Published: 10 October 2024 Algoma Integrity – Mooring line fatality In preparation for mooring at a terminal, a seafarer was fatally injured when an extended line that was under extreme tension sprung free severing his leg below the knee. Occurred: 21 October 2018 Published: 17 June 2024 Norwegian Prima – near miss grounding A passenger vessel had almost completed its swing outside the breakwater at Reykjavík when the wind speed increased significantly. A BMA & RNSA joint investigation into the circumstances of the near grounding. Occurred: 26 May 2023 Published: 24 April 2024 Magic Striker – dangerous space fatality Without the knowledge of the ship’s crew, two contractors entered a cargo hold wearing gas masks. Shortly afterwards, one of them climbed back out, feeling breathless. He then noticed his colleague had fallen and went back down the ladder to help him. Both were retrieved unconscious – one did not survive. Occurred: 21 December 2021 Published: 05 March 2024 Beluga Reefer – heavy weather casualties In heavy weather, whilst attending to lines and inspecting deck machinery up forward, four members of crew were washed off their feet when the vessel was hit by a series of large waves, resulting in the loss of two lives. Occurred: 30 June 2023 Published: 05 February 2024 Commodore Goodwill v L’Ecume II collision Interim report to confirm details of the collision, the vessels involved and the ongoing action of the joint investigation into this very serious marine casualty. Occurred: 08 December 2022 Published: 17 November 2023 The World – fatality during passenger tendering An inflatable boat used for tendering operations got into difficulties close to shore. Breaking waves washed passengers overboard and took the boat close to the beach. As passengers were being helped ashore the coxswain noticed someone was trapped under the boat. Despite having resuscitation equipment close to hand, the victim could not be revived. Occurred: 19 February 2022 Published: 29 September 2023 Aruba Pearl – mooring fatality During mooring operations, a seafarer was fatally injured when the line he was stopping off sprung free from the bitt striking him in the chest. Occurred: 26 October 2022 Published: 21 September 2023 Star Peace – man over board In heavy weather, two supernumeraries attempted to secure a provision crane. Whilst one was on the crane, its remaining lashings parted and the crane was lost overboard, along with the supernumerary. He was not recovered. Occurred: 23 October 2021 Published: 30 June 2023 Seacross – fatal fire extinguisher failure During decommissioning of a condemned portable foam fire extinguisher, a crew member sustained fatal injuries when the extinguisher ruptured, striking him in the chest. Occurred: 06 June 2022 Published: 27 June 2023 Jupiter – fumigant poisoning During an inspection of cargo, two crew members collapsed when exposed to high levels of phosphine gas, resulting in the loss of one life. Occurred: 17 May 2022 Published: 25 May 2023 Curacao Pearl – fatal fall during hose testing Whilst testing the watertight integrity of cargo holds’ hatches, a member of the crew, who was working alone in the hold, fell approximately eight metres to his death. Occurred: 10 June 2022 Published: 27 March 2023 BGP Prospector v unnamed fishing boat collision A crew member was lost when the fishing boat they were working on capsized after colliding with a survey vessel’s wide tow rope off the coast of Suriname. Occurred: 05 April 2022 Published: 08 March 2023 Jawor – mooring line load testing fatality During load testing of a recently repaired mooring line, a seafarer sustained fatal injuries when struck by the rope they were guiding onto the winch drum, after it sprung free from its fouled position. Occurred: 09 November 2021 Published: 08 November 2022 Dole Chile – fatal crush incident Whilst alongside in Columbia, a fitter onboard a container vessel was carrying out essential hot work when he was struck by a container spreader attached to one of the ship’s gantry cranes. He did not survive his injuries. Occurred: 19 March 2022 Published: 07 November 2022 Baltic Pearl – fatal lifting equipment failure A contractor working onboard a refrigerated cargo vessel was killed and another injured when a cylinder liner that was being transferred from the ship to shore fell 18 metres to the area they were working, when the wire sling that was being used failed. Occurred: 13 October 2021 Published: 26 October 2022 Navigator of the Seas – fatal steam release Crew were undertaking a scheduled tank inspection onboard a passenger vessel at anchor. After checking the atmosphere was safe, and with three crew members inside, there was a sudden release of steam into the tank. One seafarer died and another suffered significant burns. Occurred: 14 July 2020 Published: 27 September 2022 Star Planet fatal fall during hold inspection While on passage through the Australian Bight, a bulk carrier experienced rolling while a crew member was inspecting a cargo hold. The crew member fell off the ladder to the hold’s tanktop. Occurred: 04 June 2021 Published: 20 December 2021 Pride of Hull machinery space fire While outbound in the Humber Estuary, UK, a ferry experienced a fire in the vicinity of its thermal oil circulation pumps. Occurred: 20 October 2020 Published: 30 November 2021 Castillo De Valverde man overboard While working on deck in heavy weather conditions, a crew member of a bulk carrier was struck by a wave that washed them overboard. Occurred: 28 May 2020 Published: 19 April 2021 Irenes Rose dropped object fatality While working inside the main engine crankcase during planned maintenance, a piston dropped onto a crew member of a container vessel when it was released from the lifting tool out of sequence. Occurred: 08 February 2020 Published: 19 March 2021 Fri Dolphin fumigant poisoning While on passage in heavy weather, a coastal general cargo vessel suffered fumigant ingress to the accommodation via the ventilation system, resulting in one fatality and several crew being hospitalised. Occurred: 13 February 2020 Published: 19 November 2020 Cathinka Spirit v Zhe Ling Yu Yun Collision LPG/Chemical tanker collided with a fish transportation vessel in open water and relatively low traffic density in the Yellow Sea. Occurred: 24 December 2019 Published: 11 September 2020 Gryf car deck fatality During a ferry’s routine stopover at Swinoujscie, Poland, two crew members were involved in a forklift accident, resulting in one serious injury and a fatality. Occurred: 04 May 2019 Published: 24 August 2020 Polar Spirit v Zhe Xiang Yu 41020 collision An LNG tanker collided with a fishing vessel in an area of high traffic density in the East China Sea. The fishing vessel was lost with all crew. Occurred: 30 September 2018 Published: 10 August 2020 Genting Dream drowning in pool While alongside Langkawi, a young passenger drowned in one of the ship’s pools. Occurred: 18 November 2019 Published: 14 May 2020 Norbe VIII boiler explosion A drill ship off the coast of Brazil suffered a boiler water chamber over-pressurisation leading to an explosion which resulted in three fatalities. Occurred: 09 June 2017 Published: 18 March 2020 Anthem of the Seas heavy weather damage Heavy weather conditions while underway resulted in a passenger vessel suffering damage and restricted manoeuvrability. Occurred: 06 February 2016 Published: 19 February 2020 Majesty of the Seas watertight door fatality A routine fire drill was carried out on board a passenger vessel and upon completion, ship’s staff found a crew member trapped between the door and frame of a watertight door. Occurred: 05 April 2017 Published: 02 January 2020 Vision of the Seas fatal fall Crew member of a passenger vessel fell overboard while conducting exterior maintenance. Despite surviving the fall, he was unable to be recovered and drowned. Occurred: 05 September 2019 Published: 04 December 2019 Tropical Star fatal fall While descending a crane after testing, a crew member of a refrigerated cargo vessel fell from the vertical ladder on the exterior of the crane pedestal, resulting in their death. Occurred: 15 June 2019 Published: 19 November 2019 Norwegian Escape steam burns While carrying out work in an area that restricted mobility, two crew members of a passenger vessel suffered severe injuries from exposure to steam and hot water when a coupling failed. Occurred: 27 November 2018 Published: 21 October 2019 Seabourn Encore breakaway TAIC report. Whilst alongside in New Zealand, high wind speeds resulted in shoreside mooring bollards failing and the passenger vessel’s stern colliding with a cement bulk carrier. Occurred: 12 February 2017 Published: 12 April 2019 Stena Spirit vehicle deck fatality While offloading vehicles from the ferry, a passenger sustained fatal crush injuries. Occurred: 20 September 2018 Published: 26 March 2019 Caledonian Sky grounding Cruise ship grounding on an inadequately charted reef to the north of Kri Island, Indonesia. Occurred: 04 March 2017 Published: 06 March 2019 Solent Star crush fatality A crew member of a refrigerated cargo vessel was killed by a moving deck crane while attempting to carry out modifications. Occurred: 01 May 2018 Published: 06 March 2019 Celtica Hav grounding MAIB report. A general cargo vessel grounded on a training wall in the approach channel to the River Neath, Wales. The vessel experienced extensive shell plate damage to the hull leading to water ingress and engine room flooding. Occurred: 27 March 2018 Published: 24 January 2019 Skandi Pacific crush injury During cargo operations offshore and in deteriorating weather, an unsecured container onboard an offshore supply vessel struck a crew member, resulting in a fatality. Occurred: 14 July 2015 Published: 12 December 2018 Four C's Adventure engine explosion A charter off Great Exuma, Bahamas ended when the vessel’s engine exploded, resulting in a fatality and multiple serious injuries. Occurred: 30 June 2018 Published: 01 October 2018 Sherice M galley fire While docked in Bimini, Bahamas, a general cargo vessel experienced a fire in the galley which could not be controlled, leading to extensive damage of the vessel. Occurred: 16 June 2018 Published: 31 August 2018 Seahero missing person Whilst on passage from Bonny, Nigeria to Durban, South Africa, crew on board a VLCC became aware that one crew member was missing. An extensive search was unsuccessful. Occurred: 18 May 2018 Published: 23 July 2018 Seadream I engine room fire During passage, a passenger vessel activated its fire-fighting system in the engine room in an attempt to extinguish a fire originating from a fuel leakage. Occurred: 01 September 2016 Published: 07 July 2018 Skandi Skansen mooring fatality In preparation for an incoming anchor handling charter, a crew member on board the vessel was fatally injured during operation of the Anchor Handling Towing winch. Occurred: 21 February 2016 Published: 14 June 2018 Pine Galaxy engine room fire Lubrication oil to sprayed onto an exhaust gas manifold, resulting in a fire in which a member of the crew was fatally injured on board a chemical/products tanker. Occurred: 13 August 2014 Published: 31 May 2018 Carnival Inspiration missing person While underway, a crew member on board a passenger vessel reported his roommate missing. An extensive search was unsuccessful. Occurred: 09 November 2017 Published: 23 May 2018 Vision of the Seas missing person A passenger vessel realised one of the crew was missing after failure of attendance for training. An extensive search was unsuccessful. Occurred: 08 December 2017 Published: 24 April 2018 Platinum Explorer crush fatality While in a demobilised condition, a drill vessel was conducting maintenance when a crew member sustained fatal crush injuries from the Riser Feeding Machine. Occurred: 25 February 2016 Published: 26 March 2018 Stena Spirit fire on vehicle deck A ferry was underway from Karlskrona, Sweden to Gdynia, Poland where a fire broke out on the car deck. Occurred: 31 August 2016 Published: 05 December 2017 Sunmi fatal fall during pilot transfer MAIB report. While attempting to board a general cargo vessel, a pilot fell between the launch and vessel, resulting in their death. Occurred: 05 October 2016 Published: 12 October 2017 Star Pride grounding During a passage to Costa Rica, a passenger yacht vessel grounded on rocks in the Canal de Rancheria, which resulted in multiple hull breaches. Occurred: 22 December 2016 Published: 17 August 2017 Marine Stars natural death A crew member discovered the master of a bulk carrier vessel unconscious. Despite best efforts of the crew and officers, the captain passed away. Occurred: 26 March 2017 Published: 04 July 2017 CMA CGM Berlioz missing person While on passage from the southern end of the Suez Canal towards Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a container vessel learned that a member of the riding team was missing. Occurred: 21 March 2017 Published: 07 June 2017 Harmony of the Seas lifeboat hook failure During an abandon ship drill onboard a passenger vessel, the lifeboat destabilized while being lowered resulting in one crew members being killed and two severely injured. Occurred: 13 September 2016 Published: 24 May 2017 Splendour of the Seas engine room fire A passenger vessel experienced a machinery space fire in the forward engine room, while on passage from Mykonos to Argostoli Greece. Occurred: 22 October 2015 Published: 11 May 2017 Freedom of the Seas engine room fire Upon entry into the port of Falmouth Jamaica, a passenger vessel experienced multiple fire alarms from the machinery space, which eventually spread into the port side funnel casing. Occurred: 22 July 2016 Published: 27 February 2017 Blackwatch engine room fire While enroute from Ponta Delgada Azores to Funchal, Madeira, a passenger vessel experienced a fire originating from the auxiliary engine room. Occurred: 01 July 2016 Published: 19 January 2017 Bahamas Celebration grounding A passenger vessel grounded whilst outward bound from Freeport, Grand Bahama, causing significant flooding. The vessel was subsequently declared a total loss. Occurred: 31 October 2014 Published: 21 April 2016 Amazon lifeboat hook failure While at Constanta roads anchorage, a bulk carrier vessel carried out a routine abandon ship drill, where two crew members sustained injuries, one fatal and another minor. Occurred: 12 April 2016 Published : 14 September 2016 Boudicca engine room fire While travelling from Cadiz, Spain to Port of Arrecife, Lanzarote, a passenger vessel suffered a fire in the auxiliary engine room. Occurred: 25 January 2015 Published: 25 July 2016 Baltic Ace v Corvus J collision Vehicle carrier collided with a feeder container vessel within the Noordhinder Junction area of the southern North Sea, resulting in a catastrophic hull breach of one vessel, leading to loss of the Baltic Ace with eleven lives. Occurred: 05 December 2012 Published: 27 May 2016 MOL Comfort loss of hull integrity A container vessel suffered hull failure in in heavy weather whilst on passage in the Indian Ocean. Occurred: 17 June 2013 Published: September 2015 Bulk Jupiter cargo liquefaction While voyaging to South West Lamma, Hong Kong, a bulk carrier foundered when it lost stability as a result of cargo liquefaction, leaving one survivor. Occurred: 02 January 2015 Published: 18 August 2015 Tai Shan engine room fire A fire broke out in the upper parts of the engine room onboard a vehicle carrier transiting from Cotonou, Benin to Tianjin, China. Occurred: 02 July 2014 Published: 11 August 2015 Marco Polo heavy weather damage While underway from Ponta Delgada, Azores, a passenger vessel experienced heavy weather which resulted in damage to a window causing injuries to passengers and a fatality Occurred: 14 February 2014 Published: 27 October 2014 Carnival Triumph engine room fire During early hours, a passenger vessel experienced a fire in the aft engine room, near diesel generators as a result of fuel spray coming into contact with a hotspot. Occurred: 10 February 2013 Published: 12 September 2014 Sea Spirit zodiac craft fatality Part of an expedition cruise ship’s itinerary consisted of ship’s boats (Zodiacs) used for tours in arctic waters. During an expedition, whilst close to shore, rolling waves swamped one craft which resulted in one fatality and further injuries. Occurred: 17 June 2013 Published: 10 February 2014 Atlantic Hero v Oriental Pioneer collision While approaching the Eastern Boarding Ground of the Singapore Pilot Station, two loaded bulk carriers collided, resulting in a pollution incident. Occurred: 02 July 2013 Published: 29 January 2014 Grandeur of the Seas accommodation fire A passenger vessel underway had a fire develop which spread rapidly across a few decks causing major structural damage. Occurred: 27 May 2013 Published: 17 January 2014 Mozu Arrow fatal fall During an enclosed spaced entry drill onboard a forest product carrier, a crew member fell to their death whilst attempting to secure the simulated casualty to the stretcher. Occurred: 26 January 2013 Published: 12 September 2013 Harbour Krystal cargo explosion During a passage from Lavera France, to Amsterdam a chemical tanker experienced an explosion resulting in the disappearance of a crew member who was presumed deceased. Occurred: 05 March 2013 Published: 30 August 2013 Vos Sailor heavy weather damage While on station off of the Balmoral Platform, an Emergency Response and Rescue Vessel was struck by a large wave head-on resulting in extensive damage and flooding. Occurred: 15 December 2012 Published: 02 August 2013 Condor Vitesse v Les Marquises collision During a scheduled voyage between St Malo, France and St. Helier, Channel Islands, a ferry experienced a collision with a smaller fishing vessel. Occurred: 28 March 2011 Published: 22 November 2011 Yeoman Bontrup fire During cargo loading operations, a self-discharging bulk carrier experienced a fire which spread rapidly in the conveyor space, resulting in major damage to vessel and minor injuries to crew. Occurred: 02 July 2010 Published: May 2011 Oscar Wilde auxiliary engine room fire Upon departing Falmouth, UK, a Ro Ro passenger vessel experienced a fire in the auxiliary engine room which spread quickly across the compartment. Occurred: 02 February 2010 Published: March 2011 Braemar water tight door entrapment While departing port of Flaam, Norway , a crew member of a passenger vessel became entrapped between a watertight door between the purifier and auxiliary engine rooms while making rounds. Occurred: 26 August 2009 Published: 26 October 2010 Nova Bretagne lifeboat hook failure While recovering a lifeboat from the water on a refrigerated cargo vessel, the hooks opened unexpectedly releasing the lifeboat back into the water leading to injuries of crew members on board Occurred: 14 November 2009 Published: 25 June 2010 Crete Cement grounding A cement carrier ran aground off Aspond Island in the Oslofjord after missing a required alteration on the passage plan. Occurred: 19 November 2008 Published: May 2010 Ficus grounding Isle of Man report. During a large alteration of course, a Isle of Man registered tanker grounded in shallow waters off Goulding Cay, New Providence Island, Bahamas. Occurred: 27 February 2008 Black Watch breakaway While berthed at Gexto Pier in Bilbao, a cruise vessel forward mooring lines failed in high winds resulting in the gangway falling from the quayside causing minor injuries. Occurred: 29 October 2008 Published: 17 July 2009 Monarch of the Seas hazardous material release While performing maintenance on pulper system pipe work, noxious fumes were released when pipe flanges were broken on board a passenger vessel. Occurred: 02 September 2005 Published: 01 June 2009 Moondance blackout resulting in grounding A ro-ro cargo vessel grounded on the south-western bank of Carlingford Lough following an electrical blackout while shifting from a lay-by berth. Occurred: 29 June 2008 Published: February 2009 Saga Rose dangerous space fatality MAIB report. One crew crew member died and another was taken seriously ill after entering an oxygen deficient ballast tank onboard a passenger vessel whilst alongside in the UK. Occurred: 11 June 2008 Published: January 2009 Mona Lisa grounding A cruise vessel ran aground in the Ire strait about 10 miles off the north coast of Latvia. Occurred: 04 May 2008 Published: 15 January 2009 Quest Grounding A passenger vessel grounded in calm weather near the coast of the Disko Island in Greenland. Occurred: 27 June 2007 Published: 04 August 2008 Condor Express v High Speed Craft HD1 collision During a berthing operation, high speed craft HD1 contacted the moored high speed craft Condor Express while attempting to berth Occurred: 28 July 2007 Published: 05 May 2008 Setsuyo Star structural failure Substantial structural damage to the single side shell structure of cargo hold No.1 was observed on a bulk carrier vessel after periods of adverse weather enroute to China. Occurred: June 2006 Published: 05 May 2008 Explorer and Voyager heavy weather damage Sister passenger vessels suffered similar damage as a result of heavy weather. Occurred: 27 January & 14 February 2005 Published: June 2007 Seven Seas Navigator generator room fire A passenger vessel experienced a fire on the No.2 Diesel generator while underway. Occurred: 17 January 2005 Published: 12 February 2007 Panam Serena cargo vapour explosion A chemical tanker experienced a series of violent explosions which resulted in an intense fire amidships, within the cargo tank area of the vessel while at Porto Torres. Occurred : 01 January 2004 Published: April 2006 Karen Danielsen allision with Great Belt West Bridge While departing from Svendborg Denmark, a cargo vessel collided with the Great Belt West bridge losing the foremast, crane and part of its superstructure. One fatality. Occurred: 03 March 2005 Published: 17 August 2005 Prestige loss of hull integrity An oil tanker experienced difficulties in heavy weather, resulting in a 20 degree list to starboard. After being refused entry to a port of refuge, the vessel broke in two due to extensive hull damage. Occurred: 19 November 2002 Published: November 2004 Laurentian engine room fire While in the process of deploying a streamer, an offshore supply/survey vessel experienced back-to-back fires on a main engine. Occurred: 11 October 2001 Published: 23 April 2002 Nariva engine room fire A chemical tanker suffered an engine room fire with thick smoke and flames coming from the funnel while on voyage from Lavera, France, to Tjelbergodden Norway. Occurred: 14 August 2001 Published: 14 January 2002 Westchester grounding While steaming upstream in the Mississippi River, a tanker experienced main engine failure and ran aground. Occurred: 28 November 2000 Published: 01 May 2002 Pac Monarch lifeboat hook failure While lowering a lifeboat with crew members on board a bulk carrier, the release mechanism disengaged releasing the boat into the water and resulting in three fatalities Occurred: 26 October 2000 Cemcon Grounding On approaching Crabbs, Antigua, a cement carrier ran aground. It was found that the channel was not marked by a recognisable system of buoyage and the buoys weren’t marked on any chart available to bridge team. Occurred: 23 October 1999 Published: 22 February 2001 HEDLO Grounding A cargo vessel on passage from Rotterdam to Sandnes near Bergen ran aground on Urter Island while loaded with a cargo of steel products. Occurred: 25 December 1999 Published: 16 February 2001 Norway engine room fire During transit, a passenger vessel experienced a crack in a control oil pipe for a turbo generator. This crack resulted in pressurized control oil spraying onto a superheated steam valve and therefore igniting and causing a fire. Occurred: 28 May 1999 Published: 16 February 2001 Svitzer Mercator flooding While carrying out underwater inspections, a survey vessel observed water leaking into the engine room through the hull. Occurred: 05 May 1999 Published: 16 February 2001 Norwegian Dream v Ever Decent collision While on approach to the Dover Strait amidst heavy traffic congestion, a passenger vessel collided with a container ship. Occurred : 24 August 1999 Published: 12 April 2000 Anjana flooding and subsequent sinking A bulk carrier vessel underway through the North Sea encountered storm conditions, and discovered water entering the cargo holds. Occurred: 20 December 1997 Published: 18 January 2000 Celtic Warrior v Annegret collision While on passage from Piraeus, Greece to Beirut, Lebanon a container vessel had a collision with a general cargo vessel leading to the vessel being abandoned and sank. Occurred: 07 December 1997 Published: 17 January 2000 Raven Arrow grounding A geared bulk carrier ran aground off the west coast of Canada with two pilots onboard. Occurred: 24 September 1997 Tomfield grounding On a coastal ballast voyage from Wicklow to Cork (Eire), a cargo vessel was stranded on rocks and unable to be re-floated. Occurred: 13 January 1996 Sagafjord fire engine room fire A passenger vessel suffered an engine room fire while on passage between Hong Kong and Kota Kinabalu. Occurred: 26 February 1996 Pearl loss of stability During transit from Kandla, India to Dubai, a geared general cargo vessel experienced a list of approximately 20 degrees causing the vessel to black out and require assistance. Occurred: 23 September 1995 Icevinha v towed barge collision While underway to make an approach to anchorage off Louisiana Offshore Oil Port, USA, a tanker collided with a tug and barge tow and received damage to port wing ballast tank. Occurred: 22 August 1995 Euromagique fire in engine room A ferry departed Sheerness, UK enroute to Vlissingen Netherlands, where a fire was detected at the aft end of the starboard engine. Occurred: 17 June 1995 Royal Pacific v Teh Fu No.51 collision A passenger vessel collided with a fishing vessel in the Malacca Strait. The passenger vessel suffered uncontrollable flooding and was lost with nine lives lost. Occurred: 23 August 1992
