A Death Sentence: Alcohol and Fatigue
The U.K Marine Accident Investigation Branch has released findings into two fatalities – both involving alcohol consumption and fatigue.
On August 13, 2014, the master of the U.K. registered workboat GPS Battler drowned soon after the open tender returning him from the marina in Almeria, Spain, to his anchored vessel, was overwhelmed in choppy seas.
The tender flooded rapidly and started to submerge. The master initially swam clear but soon lost consciousness and could not be revived.
Less than five months later, on January 6, 2015, a mate joining GPS Battler fell into the water from the quayside in Marin, Spain, while waiting for the access arrangements to the vessel to be made safe.
The mate was soon motionless, and when eventually recovered he had been in the water for almost one hour and he had drowned.
The master in the Almeria accident was 25 percent over the UK’s drink-drive limit and mate in the Marin accident was almost four times over the limit.
GPS Battler was owned by GPS Battler Ltd, operated by GPS Marine Contractors Ltd and was used mainly for towing operations.
The Almeria Accident: No Life Jacket
The post mortem of the master showed that he had drowned. He was reported to be a strong swimmer and it is evident that he had no difficulty in staying afloat and swimming towards GPS Battler for several minutes. However, although the master was medically fit and not overweight, the effort required to swim and to avoid swallowing seawater in the choppy seas would have been considerable.
Although the sea was relatively warm, without a lifejacket, which would have enabled him to keep his face clear of the water with very little physical exertion, his likelihood of survival was reduced significantly.
The Marin Accident: Binge Drinking
The post mortem of the mate found nothing to suggest the he fell due to a medical event. However, he had been travelling for over 15 hours when he started drinking, and he had consumed a large quantity of alcohol over a period of three hours.
During the evening, it is reported that he consumed approximately 24 units of alcohol, resulting in a blood-alcohol concentration of 318mg/100ml. The consumption of alcohol in such quantities over a short period is classed as binge drinking.
The mate’s high blood-alcohol concentration, together with fatigue, would have impaired his motor skills and co-ordination, and CCTV footage shows he was unsteady on his feet as he walked from the pedestrian gate towards GPS Battler.
It is also likely that the alcohol he had consumed would also have caused a loss of understanding and slurred speech. Indeed, the mate’s failure to respond when approached by the bosun as he leant against the skip probably indicates that he was in an alcohol-induced stupor. In such a state, it is almost certain that the mate fell into the water because he either stumbled or lost his balance.
The sea water temperature was 13°C. Therefore, it is likely that when the mate fell into the water he suffered from cold water shock, which occurs when suddenly immersed in water temperatures of 15°C or below.
Among other things, the cold can cause a gasp reflex, resulting in water being ingested involuntarily. Involuntary ingestion of water causes a spasm in the larynx, leading to the closure of the trachea (airway). Anoxia (lack of oxygen to the brain) quickly follows. As the person in the water then tries to inhale, water is drawn into the lungs and the spasm cycle repeats. In such circumstances it only takes between 20 seconds and one minute for a person to drown.
In this case, the mate was already motionless and face-down in the water when he was first seen a few minutes after falling in. He was not an able swimmer, was obese and was intoxicated. Without a lifejacket to keep his head clear of the water, his chances of survival were extremely limited.
The report is available here.