The breeze of Misfortune: A Marine Accident at sea

The Accident which occurred yesterday, the 06th day of July 2020 between the period of 1500hrs and 1600hrs at Escravos Nigeria left one sailor dead and another in a critical condition.

Mt. Matrix Pride and Mt. Matrix Triumph were said to have being undergoing STS (Ship to Ship) operation when the incident occurred.

The casualties suffered a bight from mooring ropes which took tension as a result of the sea’s swell during mooring operations. This claimed the legs of one sailor and left the other with a gruesome fracture (the bone was visible).

Several photographs and videos have surfaced online in regards to the incident. The graphic pictures are displayed below.

• 

In one of such videos, a dispute had ensued between two sailors onboard the ship after the incident. In the video, both casualties laid helpless on stretchers while others stood in awe. The identities of the arguing sailors are yet to be ascertained but the conversation is provided verbatim and in vernacular below;

Sailor A: Make I tell you something, if na another ship- I for rebel you. Na because of captain I swear to Almighty God. I tell you make them castoff, something don hook person; you dey snap picture. I swear, I know why I leave you.

Sailor B: No be Captain Say make I snap picture?

Sailor A: Who be mooring master?

Sailor B: Na me be mooring master?

Sailor A: Yes, you no know your job nia make dey tell you make you no casteoff.

Sailor B: Him no tell me make I no cast off

Sailor A: Why you no cast off, the thing take tension.

At that point, all reasonable conversation ended as one of the sailors was attempting to physically assault the other.

Two boats immediately came to their rescue. The other casualty was seen in another video requesting to be evacuated for immediate medical attention; stating that the ship had enough crew to assist in the evacuation process.

The sailor referred to as “yahaya” in one of the videos who had lost his legs, was declared dead on arrival at the hospital. The injured sailor is currently receiving medical attention.

An unknown source on social media stated that the deceased was a steward. He was to be promoted as an O.S (Ordinary seaman) on his next voyage and so, he had hoped to get familiar with the operations at hand. The unknown source also offered a prayer of protection for all sailors. This information is currently unconfirmed and under investigation.

• 

A lot of sailors took to social media expressing their deepest condolences and displeasure. The comments by the concerned sailors includes; “Safety is as simple as ABC, always be careful”; “I would expect that officers onboard would know how to administer first aid”.

• 

An anonymous Second Engineer, gave his response to the unconfirmed information provided above. He stated that such an operation is critical and dangerous. An uncertified and untrained person shouldn’t be involved in such an operation. He expresses is displeasure and offers his condolences to the families of the deceased and injured sailor.

It is a dark day for all sailors all around the world. Unfortunately, it is an unforgettable day for the families of the casualties.