(www.MaritimeCyprus.com) The Government of Gibraltar has conducted a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding a mooring-related fatality onboard the tanker Nisyros. The report aims to identify the contributing factors to prevent similar maritime accidents in the future.
Incident Overview: Fatality Aboard MT Nisyros
On the afternoon of May 20, 2025, a fatal industrial accident occurred aboard the Gibraltar-registered tanker Nisyros. The vessel’s pumpman sustained catastrophic injuries while operating the port forward mooring winch.
Key Details of the Accident
Activity: The pumpman was in the process of heaving in excess mooring rope.
The Incident: During the operation, the crew member became entrapped in the rope as it was being wound around the winch drum.
Outcome: The victim suffered multiple traumatic injuries and tragically passed away at the scene.
At the time of the accident the pumpman was alone on the forecastle as the AB had moved to a position further down on the main deck port side in preparation to receive a heaving line which would then be attached to the forward spring.
As no one witnessed the accident it is difficult to reach a firm conclusion as to what exactly happened. However, the Mooring System Management Manual stipulates that there should always be a minimum of two experienced persons at each mooring station throughout the operation, apart from the Officer in charge of the mooring station.
The role of the officer is to supervise and keep an overview of the mooring operation. On this occasion there was not an officer undertaking this role. In effect the only person on the fo’c’sle was the pumpman who was operating the Port forward mooring winch by himself, at the same time as possibly ensuring that the mooring rope was correctly feeding and winding onto the winch’s drum.
The investigation concluded that:
- The composition of the forward mooring party was not in compliance with the requirements of the mooring manual.
- Page 8 of the owner’s preliminary assessment of the incident states that, no officer was assigned to the mooring station forward in order to maintain compliance with hours of work and rest.
- The pumpman was operating the winch at the same time as ensuring that the mooring rope was possibly correctly feeding and winding on to the mooring winch’s drum.
- Due to repetitive nature of the work undertaken, the crew may have become complacent.
- It is possible that the mooring winch actuator lever had been incorrectly secured in the running position by using the safety clip or external device.
- At this time, he may have become entangled in the slack rope, in all likelihood by standing too close to the winch’s drum subsequently resulting in being dragged in feet first under the rotating drum.
For more information, click below to download the full investigation report:
Source: Gibraltar Office of the Marine Accident Investigation
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