B SAFE Loss Prevention BSAFE INCIDENT CASE STUDY 05: DOUBLE FATALITY RESULTING FROM ENCLOSED SPACE ENTRY Published: 30 March 2021 A bulk carrier was loading logs in Port Marsden, New Zealand (NZ), when the chief officer (C/O) entered a cargo hold which contained logs. Upon entry he rapidly lost consciousness and fell from the entrance ladder (Figure 1) . A fellow crew member who tried to rescue the C/O suffered the same fate. They were later both pronounced dead due to asphyxia. Figure 1 No.5 hold aft access showing shoe and torch unable to be recovered Source: Investigation report by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission, New Zealand WHAT HAPPENED? After loading logs at various ports in New Zealand the ship had arrived in Port Marsden, here another 11,476m 3 of logs were loaded. The logs were to be fumigated on passage to China, and two fumigation officials embarked to carry out a pre-inspection. They reported to the master that hatches 1F to 4F had excessive amounts of water visible, which needed to be removed before fumigation could take place, and that the rubber seal on hold No. 5 aft access door (Figure 2) needed replacing. The master discussed the matter with the C/O, who then proceeded on deck. He asked the bosun to follow him to hold No.5, where they opened the access hatch and the C/O climbed onto the ladder and started to descend. The bosun tried to follow, but after only a few steps the C/O suddenly fell onto the logs below. The bosun immediately alerted fellow crew members standing at the gangway, then made his way to the aft mooring station to get a rope to retrieve the C/O. Figure 2 Location of cargo hold No. 5 entrance. Source: Investigation report by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission, New Zealand The second officer (2/O) was at the gangway and alerted the master by radio. He then fetched a breathing apparatus (BA) set and also oxygen from the ship’s hospital. An able seaman (AB) ran into the accommodation to alert the third o