ABSTRACT
The article presents an analysis of long-term investigation of marine accidents associated with the constantly growing export of grain fumigated with phosphine in Ukraine (more than 44 million tons in 2018) transported on ships of the “River-Sea” type and bulker fleet, and accidental leaks of toxic fumigation gases phosphine accompanied by mass cases (54) of poisoning with the death (9) of crew members and huge financial costs. In accordance with the requirements of Resolution IMO MSC 255 (84) there are comparative materials of the investigation on the causes of seafarers’ deaths on ships belonging to various countries while transporting fumigated goods.
Among the main causes of accidents and poisoning of seafarers are: insufficient or lack of professional training and competence of officers on ships, cargo fumigators and port supervision, poor professional supervision of the fumigation activities of “chance” fumigation teams operating in ports without the required IMO documents, as well as failure in regulating the legislative, administrative and legal responsibility of managers of various levels.
Practical conclusions have been made and a set of preventive measures for accidents, acute poisoning of seafarers and the exclusion of unreasonable financial losses are given.
