Loss Prevention Advice
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The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) has issued an investigation report into an incident where a seafarer lost his life after falling through an open hatch cover into a cargo hold during washing operations.
What happened
A Bahamas registered bulk carrier was on a two-day ballast voyage. The incident occurred on 01 April 2026, at approximately 13:50 local time, while the vessel was underway in the Caribbean Sea between the Dominican Republic and Colombia, at position 15°43.01′N, 71°41.32′W.
In preparation for the next loading port, the deck crew had to wash the cargo holds, conveyor boom, and main deck area. The daily work plan and work at height permit were completed in the morning after a team meeting with the chief officer.
The bosun, who was the on-deck supervisor, and the ordinary seafarer, opened the hatches of each cargo hold for ventilation and illumination. The able seafarers were responsible for conducting the cargo hold washing and an ordinary seafarer was tasked with washing the conveyor belt inside the cargo boom.
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Below you will find a weekly report dated 28 October 2026, covering the period of 22 to 28 October, where the following incidents were reported:
- 0 maritime security incidents in West Africa in the last 7 days
- 4 maritime security incidents in the Indian Ocean/Middle East in the last 7 days
- 1 Somalia-based piracy incident reported in the last 7 days.
Full advisory at the following link.
https://britanniapandi.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/ARC-Weekly-Report-28.10.26.pdf
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A vessel on fire approximately 63 nautical miles southeast of Al-Faw, Iraq, raising concerns over maritime safety in the northern Gulf.
In a notice issued on 26 October, the incident had been reported by multiple third-party sources. However, the vessel’s identity and the circumstances surrounding the fire had not been confirmed.
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A vessel on fire in the Strait of Hormuz, approximately 9 nautical miles north of Khasab, Oman, on 29 October.
According to UKMTO, the master of a third-party vessel reported sighting another vessel on fire in the area. The condition of the crew remains unknown. Meanwhile, Iranian state media report that three tankers have caught fire after allegedly striking mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
The IRGC Navy said the vessels were navigating what it described as an “unauthorised” southern route through the strait. According to the reports, the tankers caught fire and were subsequently abandoned along the southern shores of the waterway.
Iranian news agency Tasnim, citing the IRGC Navy, reported that the vessels had switched off their radar and navigation systems and were attempting to leave the southern route despite warnings from Iranian forces.
The IRGC also claimed that the incidents had caused environmental pollution in the strait, holding the vessels’ owners and crews responsible for transiting the route.
In a further warning to shipping operators, the IRGC Navy urged vessels not to rely on what it described as misleading information from US Central Command (CENTCOM) in cyberspace. It added that any “provocative action” would be met with a decisive response.