A volunteer group that looks after seafarers’ interests has voiced concern over the physical and psychological impact of a container stack collapse on the seafarer.
Container Shipping Supporting Seafarers (CSSS) believes that stack failure can result not only in physical injury or fatality but also cause post-traumatic stress disorders and similar conditions.
“To be working onboard a large vessel during a major stow collapse must be an extremely stressful experience. The sheer movement of so many containers as the stow collapses and containers land on deck or fall overboard, as well as all the noise must be very frightening and traumatic indeed,” said Philip Eastell, who established the group in 2017.
“This is in addition to the potential exposure to serious injury and fatality as a result of collapsing containers, and also from their contents. In the case of hazardous cargoes leaking, ship and crew are placed in even more danger.”
The loss of a large number of containers and the huge change in weight distribution could also lead to potential ship stability issues, he added. Ship safety and survival equipment, such as fire extinguishing systems, life rafts and lifeboats could be damaged or access to critical equipment blocked.
CSSS’s concern follows a spate of high-profile incidents. There have been at least six significant stow collapses on container vessels reported in the last three months.
According to the World Shipping Council, an average of 1 382 containers were lost at sea each year between 2008 and 2019.
Speaking on the understanding of anonymity, one master mariner member of CSSS said a significant culture change was required. “Everyone from crew to the highest authority within the industry needs to stop playing the blame game,” he said.
The seafarer recalled an incident in which his vessel departed late from an Indian port. “The agent was furious, blaming the crew for the delay, but this was because we found a twist lock incorrectly seated. Still the agent hounded the crew, saying they were personally at risk of losing pilot booking fee discounts and causing huge financial losses for the company.
“The safety of the ship, cargo and the crew is the top priority. Crews are not trained to overlook mistakes, and ships’ crews work diligently without complaint. We don't blame stevedores or the crane operators for not fixing a lock properly. This blame culture needs to stop.”
While CSSS is keen not to apportion blame or comment on the reasons for such incidents, the volunteer group’s main concern is the safety and wellbeing of the seafarer during and after such an event.
