One dead, five injured in incident on Brazil-bound vessel

One worker has died and five others have been injured in an incident on board the Boskalis-owned heavy-lift vessel, which was transporting an FPSO unit from China to Brazil. 

Boskalis informed on Thursday that,‎ earlier this week, an incident had occurred on board of the FPSO which was being transported by the Vanguard from China to Brazil.

During the journey, a contractor, designated by the yard, is conducting preservation works on board of the FPSO. These works are part of the pre-delivery activities by the yard before the FPSO is delivered to the operator in Brazil later this month. Six persons employed by the designated contractor, all with the Brazilian nationality, illegally consumed a cleaning liquid found on board of the FPSO, Boskalis said.

According to the company, this liquid is a substance customarily used for degreasing purposes, presumably containing a mixture of ethanol and the severely toxic methanol. The affected persons reported this to Boskalis crew approximately 36 hours after consumption at which point serious signs of illness were becoming apparent. Swift and immediate action was taken by the crew, Boskalis said.

The Vanguard changed course towards the coast of South Africa and a medical evacuation by helicopter was organized. One of the affected individuals passed away before the medical assistance was on site. The remaining five persons were successfully evacuated, hospitalized in Durban, South Africa and are successfully recovering from the intoxication.

“Boskalis expresses its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased person,” Boskalis said in the statement.

Boskalis also stressed that it has a strict zero tolerance policy with regard to alcohol on its offshore vessels. The FPSO and Vanguard have recently resumed their journey to Brazil.

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