Tragic Cadet Fatality – Grandeur of the Seas: H2S Gas

Tragic Fatality: The Silent Threat of H2S Gas | Cadet Fatality on Grandeur of the Seas | Bahamas Maritime Authority Report

What Happened

On 21 January 2025, an electrical cadet aboard the passenger ship Grandeur of the Seas tragically lost his life. The cadet entered an access space above a tank to fix the level transmitter for the bilge water settling tank. This area was not identified as an enclosed, confined, or dangerous space, and no extra precautions were taken.

Unfortunately, untreated waste in the bilge tank had produced deadly Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) gas. This gas leaked into the access space through a corroded ventilation pipe. While trying to exit, the cadet seems to have lost his footing on a ladder and became trapped in a suffocating position. His posture made it look like he was still working. Engine room staff later found him unconscious. Despite a quick rescue response time and CPR from the medical team, the cadet could not be saved. Tests later confirmed the space was filled with lethal H2S gas.

Immediate Operational Checks

Officers and engineering crews must take the following actions today:

• Test the Air: Mandate the use of portable gas detectors before anyone enters unventilated access spaces, even if the area is not officially marked as “confined.”
• Inspect Tank Pipes: Do an immediate visual check of all ventilation pipes connected to bilge, waste, or settling tanks. Look for signs of severe rust, holes, or leaks.
• Check Working Positions: Identify any sensors or transmitters hidden in tight spaces. Ask if these can be moved to safer, easy-to-reach areas to avoid putting crew at risk.

In so many cases where a fatality occurs because of a hazardous atmosphere, it is a failure to identify the potential hazard that ultimately causes the incident. In other words, your lack of imagination can get you killed!

Ducts, access spaces, emergency escapes, upper frames, below the deck plates, chain lockers, walk in fridges and freezers, compartments adjacent to CO2 or Battery rooms, etc.

Not only can a deadly atmosphere be odourless and colourless, but it may be where you least expect it.

Lessons Learned

• Gas Hazards: Untreated bilge and waste tanks are perfect environments for creating lethal H2S gas. Always treat spaces next to these tanks as high-risk zones, in addition to the main tank.
• Question Space Labels: Do not rely only on official “enclosed space” signs. Any tight area that is not normally occupied should be treated with extreme caution before entry.
• Use the Buddy System: Never allow crew members to work alone in isolated or restricted areas without a standby person or a strict radio check-in routine.
• Fix Design Flaws: The victim was put in danger because a transmitter was poorly placed inside a tight space. Always look for ways to move maintenance points out of hazardous areas to protect the crew.

Ensure personnel do not work alone. Where they do, ensure they regularly review identified hazards on risk assessments. Ensure everyone has easy access to gas detectors. Ensure people are confident in using detectors, and that they put them into spaces not designed for normal human occupation BEFORE they enter.

It is a vital responsibility of those in leadership and supervisory roles to model best practice behaviour and insist on standards being adhered to at all times. Ask personnel to mentor cadets and trainees. Encourage discussion to identify non-obvious hazards.

Tags:

Marine Safety, Enclosed Space Entry, Hydrogen Sulphide Hazard, Maritime Fatality, Shipboard Maintenance

Official Report:

Bahamas Maritime Authority Report