Six Workers Hospitalized after Incident at Napier Port

Six stevedore workers have been hospitalized for carbon monoxide poisoning after an incident on board a log vessel Nord Yilan in Napier Port, New Zealand, on April 30.

 “We can confirm that at approximately 8 pm last night, an incident occurred on log vessel, Nord Yilan, berthed at Napier Port.

“The incident involved staff from stevedoring company, ISO, who are employed by log exporter, Ernslaw One. Emergency services responded to the incident and some ISO staff were hospitalized,” Napier Port said in a statement.

Local media reported that the turbo unit on the engine of the log ship blew and billowed exhaust fumes, causing carbon monoxide poisoning of the workers who were in the ship’s hold.

Representatives of Maritime New Zealand have been sent to the scene and investigation into the accident has been launched.

“We are disappointed that an incident has happened in our port. As the landowner, Napier Port takes a strong interest in the safe practice of companies operating on our site,” the port added.

Four workers have reportedly been released from the hospital since.

“The investigation will involve interviews, a scene examination and review of documents to gather all the necessary information. The information will then be assessed and a decision made as to what, if any, further action to take under the Health and Safety at Work Act or the Maritime Transport Act. The investigation is likely to take a few weeks,” Maritime New Zealand said in a statement to WMN.

World Maritime News Staff