Entry to enclosed space on bulk carrier Diamond Bulker with 1 person injured and loss of 2 lives

Location: Anchored in Lough Foyle, Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

• From: Marine Accident Investigation Branch
• Published: 23 January 2015

• Vessel type: Merchant vessel 100 gross tons or over
• Report type: Investigation report
• Date of occurrence: 5 April 2000

Accident Investigation Report 9/2001

Read our marine accident investigation report, which includes what happened, actions taken and subsequent recommendations:

diamond-bulker.pdf (3,244.02 kb)

Summary

Accident on a bulk carrier with the loss of two lives when at anchor in Lough Foyle, Londonderry, Northern Ireland on 5 April 2000.

Safety Issues

• Despite instructions contained in the army operational manual (para 0306), the staff sergeant had not been given sufficient information or guidance, nor had the naval search team leader fully appreciated the lack of marine knowledge and experience of the army search team
• Although some pre-planning had been carried out, there was a general lack of detailed and combined planning. There were misunderstandings, a lack of clarity and poor cohesion from the start of the operation

Recommendations

Recommendations have been made to the Royal Navy and Army on training, and to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on the availability of dedicated SAR helicopter services in Northern Ireland.

This report was published on 3 April 2001.

Published 23 January 2015