PARALELO Acidente Marítimo Muito Grave
Vessel: PARALELO
GAMA reference: 2013-039
Data da ocorrência acidental: 28-03-2013
Circulated on: 02-10-2013
Published on: 16-10-2013
Casualty Event: Deviation due to electrical problems, explosion, fire - Electrical problem - leading to direct contact
Summary
At approximately 1130 on 28 March 2013, PARALELO was hauling surface-longline fishing gear in the North Atlantic. A crew member was using an electrically powered angle grinder to sharpen a gaff in the forward part of the starboard fishing deck. The vessel was running before heavy seas with the starboard hauling aperture fully open. The crest of a large wave entered through the opening and flooded the fishing deck, soaking the crew member and the angle grinder. The crew member received an electric shock and, during the resulting spasms, sustained a deep injury to the right arm from the operating grinder. A nearby crew member disconnected the grinder from the socket. The casualty collapsed without a pulse or breathing, and resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful. A Portuguese Air Force helicopter evacuated the casualty to Terceira Island, where death was declared.
Safety recommendations
SR 39-2013.1: Assess carrying out, as soon as practicable, a comprehensive inspection and review of the vessel’s electrical-circuit protection systems, including switchboards and residual-current devices, with particular attention to circuits supplying and lighting exposed areas such as the fishing deck and weather deck. No response status is recorded in the report
Lessons learned
Portable electrical tools should not be used in areas exposed to seawater unless the equipment, power supply and protective devices are suitable for wet conditions. Work should be relocated or postponed when openings required for fishing operations allow seawater onto the deck. Residual-current devices and other circuit-protection equipment should be correctly rated, tested regularly and capable of immediately isolating the electrical supply. Appropriate gloves, electrically resistant footwear and other personal protective equipment should be selected according to the electrical and environmental hazards.