While being a harbour pilot comes with its own set of risks, it’s always sad when a tragedy occurs.
On 11 February, a harbour pilot died in Singapore’s Southern Islands.
The Incident
The harbour pilot was only 29 years old, according to Lianhe Zaobao.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) detailed the incident in a media statement.
The tragedy struck in the wee hours of 11 February.
At about 2.50 am, MPA’s Marine Safety Control Centre was alerted that a harbour pilot from PSA Marine (PSAM) had fallen overboard.
He was disembarking from a tugboat to board a PSAM launch boat in waters off the Southern Islands when the incident occurred.
In addition, he was wearing a life jacket.
Immediate Response
MPA, Police Coast Guard (PCG) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) took immediate action and deployed patrol and emergency response craft to the scene to conduct Search and Rescue operations.
Moreover, MPA activated divers to search for the missing harbour pilot underwater.
It also issued navigational safety broadcasts to the surrounding vessels to urge them to support the search for the pilot.
Unfortunately, after 9 hours of operations, the pilot’s body was recovered at 11.30 am.
His body was sent to the PCG Brani Base.
The incident is currently under investigation.
Similar Incidents
Other similar incidents have occurred previously.
In May 2022, a 59-year-old local worker was crossing a gangway from one vessel to another and fell into the sea after losing his balance.
His body was recovered four days later.
Another similar incident occurred in November 2022 when a worker fell into the sea off Jurong Island.
He had been conducting scaffolding works at a condominium when the tragedy occurred.
There were 46 workplace deaths in Singapore in 2022.
That’s a higher tally than in 2021, where 37 workplace deaths were recorded.
Just two weeks ago, on 31 January, a 44-year-old Malaysian was driving a prime mover when it plunged into the sea at Keppel Terminal.
His body was recovered later that day.
Regarding the Keppel Terminal incident, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) told TODAY that it “urges all employers and employees not to take their eyes off the ball but keep doing all they can to prioritise workplace safety”.
It added, “While the average number of fatal accidents per month has dropped since MOM implemented the heightened safety period in September last year, all parties must continue to stay vigilant to reduce the number of workplace fatalities and save lives.”
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Extended “Heightened Safety” Period
MOM first implemented a “heightened safety” period in September 2022 in response to the increased number of workplace fatalities.
Originally slated to end on 28 February 2023, it states that a company can be banned from employing new foreign workers for up to three months if it is found to have serious workplace safety and health breaches after a serious or fatal workplace accident.
However, MOM has decided to extend the “heightened safety” period to 31 May 2023.
In a press release dated 10 February 2023, MOM explained that its decision comes from the fact that post-Chinese New Year periods see higher workplace injury numbers as companies rush to compensate for the lost workdays.
In its original announcement in September, MOM stated that it would now give 25 demerit points for any occurrence of a major injury.
This is an increase from the previous 18 demerit points.
In this extended “heightened safety” period, MOM has also announced additional measures.
CEOs and the Board of Directors of companies with serious Workplace Safety and Health Council (WSH) lapses will be required to attend a half-day in-person training course.
There will also be an increase in maximum fines from $20,000 to $50,000.
Singapore has seen four workplace fatalities since the start of 2023.
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Featured Image: Facebook (@MPA)
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