Lessons can be learned from an unusual and tragic incident involving the death of two security service personnel conducting a ship search at a Port in Northern Ireland. The ship was fully laden with a cargo of coal at the time of the search. The cargo holds had not been ventilated and the Master was engaged in port arrival formalities. As part of the search operation two security personnel entered the No. l cargo hold via an access hatch, unfortunately without testing the atmosphere and certainly without wearing breathing apparatus sets. Both men succumbed to the rare atmosphere and fell whilst descending the hold ladder. A third member of the search team attempted a rescue operation, again without proper equipment being used, and he too fell. The master and ship’s officers were then contacted and the hatch cover opened and a rescue operation mounted. Unfortunately, only one of the three security personnel affected survived the incident. Whilst this incident is unusual, ships arriving in port are frequently boarded by various individuals with authority to search for stowaways, undeclared goods, narcotics or other contraband. The chances of these personnel having knowledge of the dangers of entering an enclosed space or in fact the particular hazards involved with the cargo being carried at the time, are slight. The following recommendations are therefore made: Access hatches to cargo holds/tanks with an atmosphere incapable of sustaining life should be closed and, if at all possible, locked on arrival in port; Clear notices, designed to discourage anyone from entering the enclosed space without proper equipment and authorisation, should be displayed at such access points; The Master and / or duty officer responsible for meeting shoreside personnel likely to wish to search the ship must make it absolutely clear at the first opportunity that enclosed cargo spaces are not to be entered until properly ventilated or unless proper breathing apparatus is worn; Breathing apparatus and spare bottles carried onboard must be operational and fully charged at all times and must, of course, be ready for immediate use. Disclaimer : The information on this website is for general purposes only. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, we make no warranties of any kind regarding completeness, reliability, or suitability. Any reliance you place on such information is at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of this website. Related Posts Real Life Incident: Collision Of Container Ship and General Cargo Ship Leads To Sinking And Fatalities Real Life Incident: Collision and Sinking of Small Craft in Shipping Lane Real Life Incident: Crew Saved but Ship Lost Real Life Incident: Pin Holes Create Pathway To Fatal Reckoning Related Posts Real Life Incident: Collision Of Container Ship and General Cargo Ship Leads To Sinking And Fatalities Real Life Incident: Collision and Sinking of Small Craft in Shipping Lane Real Life Incident: Crew Saved but Ship Lost Disclaimer : The information on this website is for general purposes only. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, we make no warranties of any kind regarding completeness, reliability, or suitability. Any reliance you place on such information is at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of this website. Related Articles Real Life Incident: Collision Of Container Ship and General Cargo Ship Leads To Sinking And Fatalities Real L