Carbon monoxide poisoning on potter Pamela S, used as overnight accommodation, with loss of 1 life

Location: Berthed at Bridlington Harbour.

Completed PE Summary: Pamela S

A short summary of the accident and action taken:

Fishing Vessel/Accident Details
Vessel Name Pamela S
Registered Owner and Manager Privately owned
Port of Registry Fraserburgh
Flag UK
Type Potter
Built 1969
Construction Wood
Length Overall 16.76m
Gross Tonnage 24.50
Date/Time 30/01/06, 0321
Location of Incident Bridlington Harbour area
Incident Type Accident to Person
Persons Onboard 1 crew
Injuries/Fatalities 1 fatality
Damage/Pollution None

Synopsis

A new crewmember onboard a 16m potter died while he slept from carbon monoxide poisoning. He was using the vessel as temporary accommodation while he sought permanent accommodation ashore, and had placed a portable petrol-driven generator into the adjacent fish hold to provide power to the cabin area. The bulkhead between the spaces was not gas-tight, and the crewman died from inhaling exhaust fumes.

Action taken

The Chief Inspector has decided that a full investigation was not appropriate.

An article will be published as an MAIB “Fishing Vessel Safety Flyer” highlighting the dangers of sleeping onboard vessels while in port and, specifically, of running portable generators below decks.


Updates to this page

Published 23 January 2015