ITF Urges Canada to Halt Lashing on St. Lawrence River After Man Overboard Fatality

File photo shows the MV Maersk Patras. Photo credit: Maersk Line

The International Transport Workers Federation is calling on Transport Canada to ban foreign-crew from undertaking lashing work while vessels are underway on the Saint Lawrence River the death of a Maersk Line officer earlier this week.

The Sri Lankan Second Officer, named Ravindu Lakmal Pieris Telge, fell overboard from the containership Maersk Patras at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 19th, as the ship sailed up the Saint Lawrence River on voyage from Antwerp to Montreal. Despite an extensive search and rescue operation, his body has not yet been recovered.

Circumstances of the officer’s death were not immediately clear, however, investigations by Transport Canada and the ITF now indicate that the man fell overboard while lashing, and crew claim that he was the only crew member not wearing fall protection.

“Early reports indicated that this incident occurred while dropping a pilot ladder, however after speaking to the crew and investigating further, we’ve determined that’s not the case,” said ITF Canadian coordinator Peter Lahay. “This seafarer was handling a 4-meter lashing bar, almost half his weight, when he fell overboard.”

“We will await the finding of official inquiry but from our initial investigations there are serious questions about crew fatigue and the safety procedures on board that need to be answered,” said Lahay.

In a statement, the ITF said it has met with Transport Canada regarding their concerns and given evidence of the risks to seafarers lashing vessels underway on the Saint Lawrence.

“We’ve previously urged the Canadian government to shut down this dangerous practice. It’s an undeniable fact that lashing is dangerous work, made more dangerous by terrible weather conditions and serious questions of crew fatigue,” added Lahay.

“The ITF position has been consistent: it’s time to stop putting seafarers lives at risk, the difficult and hazardous work of lashing and securing containers should only be performed by those with the training and experience to do it – dockers,” concluded Lahay.

Rob Ashton, President of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union of Canada, is questioning why crews at Port of Montreal are still performing lashing work while the ship is underway, rather than at the dock.

“It’s curious and absurd that dangerous lashing work on containerships is done at the dock everywhere in Canada except Montreal. Really there is nowhere in the world where the dangerous practice of making ship’s crew lash and unlash containers while the ship is moving except Montreal,” Ashton point out.

“The port of Montreal should accept its responsibility to ensure safety to the seafarers and safety of the environment. When seafarers are tired accidents happen and people can lose their lives. Ravindu Telge is never going home to his family again. This has to stop,” said Ashton.

The ITF has now also invited Maersk to join it in calling on Transport Canada and the Port of Montreal to ensure that lashing is done by qualified dockers.

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