KARINA C

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Report: Officer had significant quantities of alcohol when dying in accident

The second officer of the 'Karina C' died after being accidentally crushed by a gantry crane, an accident investigation report has found. The Pole Maciej Reszkiewicz died on his 59th birthday on board the ship on May 24, 2019, as the ship was preparing to sail from Seville. He climbed into a small gap between hatch covers to cross the vessel, but was not seen by the crane operator. He was crushed when the crane moved and fell on to the deck when it was reversed. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) found breaches in safe working practices and alcohol policy. The accident occurred on the second officer's birthday, and a post-mortem toxicology report showed that he had a significant quantity of alcohol in his bloodstream. He was initially thought to have suffered a heart attack so it was not reported as an on-board accident until four months later. The Cowes-based Carisbrooke Shipping has since implemented tighter procedures surrounding deck protocols and the operation of gantry cranes. Safe practice of all hazardous equipment is routinely and rigorously drilled, and so when a tragedy does occur the loss of a crew member is acutely and widely felt.