On 14 July 2024, the Republic of the Marshall Islands-registered oil/chemical tanker TRF KASHIMA, was underway in the South China Sea.
Cargo tank cleaning was in progress on the vessel, at 1646,1 either the Pumpman or OS2 reported by radio that the C/O had collapsed inside No. 6 S CT. T
General Alarm was sounded as per Master’s instruction and announcement was made for crew to muster at No. 6 S CT for an enclosed space rescue. The Master and other crewmembers arrived at the No. 6 S CT dome at 1649. They found the access hatch open and saw the C/O lying on the upper platform and the Pumpman lying on the second platform inside the cargo tank. The OS2 could not be seen.
A rescue was conducted in accordance with the ship’s enclosed space rescue plan. By 1705, the C/O, Pumpman, and OS2, who had been found lying under the Pumpman on the second platform, had been removed from the cargo tank. When they were each removed from the cargo tank, all three were unconscious but were breathing and had a pulse, however the OS2’s pulse was weak. Crewmembers started administering CPR and medical oxygen to the OS2 before moving him to the ship’s Hospital, where crewmembers continued to administer CPR and medical oxygen.
The C/O regained consciousness within a few minutes after being administered medical oxygen before being taken to the ship’s Hospital. The Pumpman remained unconscious after being administered medical oxygen and was also moved to the ship’s Hospital where crewmembers continued administering medical oxygen.
The Master sought shoreside medical advice and then diverted the ship toward the nearest port so that the C/O, Pumpman, and OS2 could be disembarked for medical treatment. By 1750, the Pumpman had regained consciousness but was continuing to have difficulty breathing and, by 1755, the C/O was determined to be in stable condition. The OS2 remained unresponsive and at 2000, crewmembers stopped administering CPR after the shoreside medical doctors determined he was deceased.
Liberia flag conducted incident invstigation and published the report