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Report: Routine maintenance became toxic gas emergency
On July 23, 2026, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) released its report into an accident aboard the 'Antarctic Discovery' on Feb 21, 2025m when decomposing fish offal was accidentally pumped into a machinery space, releasing toxic gas and putting four workers in hospital. The vessel was in dry dock at Lyttelton at that time. Two apprentice fitters descended a ladder to the bow thruster machinery space to work on pipe components tucked behind a tank that held had a mixture of decaying fish offal and seawater. The pipework was immediately adjacent to the control panel for the offal pump. One of the fitters accidentally pressed the pump’s unlabelled start button, and the holding tank’s contents rained onto the fitters from the open end of a hose at the top of the ladder. Foul-smelling toxic hydrogen sulphide gas began building up. The fitters had no option but to climb the ladder through the falling liquid to escape to the open air. The vessel superintendent went below to investigate and was briefly overcome by gas. The chief engineer and second engineer also entered the area, collapsed, and were rescued by crew using breathing apparatus. Four workers were hospitalised and later recovered. The Acting Chief Investigator of Accidents Tahlia Fisher said that the immediate cause of the accident was the accidental starting of an offal pump, but the investigation found four broader safety issues that affect industries well beyond the marine sector. First, it was regarded as essential that before work begins all machinery has been made safe, not just the equipment being worked on, but also nearby systems that could create danger if activated. Also, if a space has the hazards or characteristics of an enclosed or confined space, it should be managed as such. In this case, the bow thruster machinery space had the hazards and characteristics of an enclosed or confined space but hadn’t been recognised and managed as one. Where multiple organisations are operating in the same workplace, there will be overlapping responsibilities, and safety depends on active coordination between everyone working on site. Safety-critical modifications need proper oversight with formal approval, documentation and oversight. Acknowledging extensive safety actions were already taken by the 'Antarctic Discovery’s owner, the Australian Longline Pty. Ltd. The Commission made recommendations to Australian Longline and Lyttelton Port Company to strengthen management of safety-critical systems and dry dock operations. Full report: https://taic.org.nz/inquiry/mo-2025-201
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