Loss Prevention Advice
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Not all hazards are obvious at first glance. Conditions such as limited lighting and compromised footing can increase risk and make hazards more difficult to recognise, in the latest instalment of its Good Catch series.
Taking a few moments to assess the work environment before starting a task can help prevent injuries, falls overboard and other incidents that may have lasting consequences for seafarers. Identifying potential hazards early and addressing them before work begins can make a critical difference in keeping everyone on board safe.
Against this backdrop, the case in which a deckhand on an inland towing vessel fell overboard while working in a barge fleeting area.
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A crew member suffered second-degree chemical burns after a concentrated fuel biocide was incorrectly used to clean fuel oil strainers, according to a safety flash.
The chemical penetrated the worker’s clothing, and the exposure continued when the contaminated coveralls were worn again the following day. The incident highlights how inappropriate chemical selection, inadequate protective equipment and delayed decontamination can turn routine maintenance into a serious injury.
What happened
During maintenance work involving fuel oil strainers, a crew member used a concentrated fuel biocide as a soaking and rinsing agent. However, the substance was intended exclusively as a fuel additive and was not suitable for cleaning equipment.
While carrying out the task, the worker wore standard cotton coveralls rather than the chemical-resistant protective clothing required for handling the substance. The chemical mixture soaked through the fabric, exposing the worker’s skin to its corrosive effects.
Unaware of the chemical’s hazardous properties, the crew member did not immediately wash the affected skin. The situation was aggravated when the same contaminated coveralls were worn again the following day, extending the period of contact with the chemical.
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The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation ATALANTA has closed four piracy cases involving vessels off the northern coast of Somalia, while the motor tanker Asana remains under the control of pirates in Somali territorial waters, according to an update issued on 16 October 2026.
The closed cases involve the motor tankers Honour 25, Eureka and Sibu 1, as well as the merchant vessel Sward. The incidents occurred between April and August 2026, with Operation ATALANTA coordinating with relevant authorities and companies to support the release of the vessels and their crews.
Throughout the incidents, ATALANTA also issued maritime security warnings through the Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean (MSCIO) to vessels sailing in the affected areas.
Five crew members killed during Honour 25 operation
The Honour 25 incident followed the hijacking of fishing vessel Alkhary 2 on 20 April. On 21 April, ATALANTA reported that Honour 25 had also been hijacked, with its last known position 28 nautical miles southeast of Alkhary 2. The fishing vessel was subsequently released with all crew members safe, while the pirate group remained aboard the tanker.
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A safety alert following a container fire involving UN 3378 Sodium Carbonate Peroxyhydrate (sodium percarbonate), urging caution when accepting shipments of the substance, particularly from the Chinese ports of Qingdao and Lianyungang.
In its latest alert, issued on 16 October, reported receiving information about a further container fire involving the cargo under circumstances similar to those previously identified. The update follows an initial alert issued on 7 October, when reported multiple container fires involving UN 3378 cargoes loaded at Qingdao and Lianyungang.
The cargo had been correctly declared in each of the initially reported incidents, indicating that the warnings were not based on identified cargo misdeclaration.
Following the additional incident, its recommendation for extreme caution when accepting bookings for this substance from the two ports and increased vigilance where such cargo is already onboard.
Fire hazards and stowage considerations
Sodium percarbonate is an oxidising substance that can release heat and oxygen during decomposition, potentially intensifying a fire. The concerns that a developing fire could affect other dangerous goods stowed nearby, increasing the potential consequences of an incident.