Fall into cargo hold on fishing vessel (13 July 2021)
A 64-year-old deckhand was injured and later died in an incident onboard a fishing vessel. The vessel was berthed at a wharf in Pyrmont. Seafood had been unloaded. The deckhand fell two metres from the deck into an open cargo hold.
![The open hatch to the cargo hold.](https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0006/1001778/fishing-hold_840x500.jpg)
Safety information
Consider ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks associated with falls from heights whilst working onboard commercial fishing vessels.
You must:
- identify and manage all risks, including those associated with working around hatches and penetrations
- secure hatches and cover penetrations when not in use
- keep approaches to holds and access hatches unobstructed to:
- reduce the risk of falls, and to,
- enable holds to be evacuated quickly in an emergency.
- provide and maintain adequate lighting
- train the crew regularly so that they can identify and manage risks and to ensure they are familiar with the safe work methods
![A fishing vessel involved in an incident](https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0007/1001779/fishing-vessel_840x500.jpg)