Nisyros

The official report on a fatal accident that occurred in Gibraltar on May 20, 2025, aboard the 'Nisyros' has concluded that the mooring maneuver, in which a crew member died. was carried out without the minimum required personnel and without following established safety procedures, factors that proved decisive in the accident. The document, published on Dec 10 by the Government of Gibraltar, detailed several deficiencies in the crewing and use of the bow windlass. The accident occurred when the vessel was maneuvering to dock alongside the fuel receiver. The sailor, of Filipino origin, died after suffering serious injuries while operating deck machinery in the bow area. The report, prepared by the Maritime Accident Investigation Compliance Office, details several irregularities and failures in the execution of the maneuver. Among the most relevant conclusions were the following: An officer was not assigned to the bow mooring station, partly to comply with regulations on working and rest hours. The injured crew member was operating the mooring windlass while simultaneously attempting to check that the mooring line was properly wound. The repetitive nature of the operation may have led to complacency among the crew. The windlass activation lever may have been locked in the operating position by its safety clip or an external element. The victim may have become entangled in a slack rope because he was too close to the drum, which would have caused him to be pulled into the moving machinery. The report included recommendations aimed at strengthening safety and response capabilities in the port, including the need to improve emergency services access to vessels to ensure effective medical care in critical situations. The accident could have been avoided if the appropriate number of crew members had been assigned to the bow mooring station and the established procedures had been followed correctly.