The Need to Enhance Marine Occupational Health and Safety in Canada

Abstract

On the midnight of 16th October, 2018, a third officer Alfred was lowered from the ship Spruceglen to a dock on the downstream side of the Eisenhower Locks on the St. Lawrence Seaway, in order to tie off the vessel while it waited to its turn to proceed the lock. However, Alfred lost his balance and fell into the water. Two workers from the St. Lawrence Seaway Management went into water and reached him within three minutes. However, Alfred was unresponsive, and then he was sent to Massena Memorial Hospital. Alfred was pronounced dead at 2 am, 17th October 2018. The year of 2018 was called the deadliest year in over a decade for commercial fisherman in Canada. By Oct, 2018, 17 fatal accidents were reported. The fishing industry has long registered disproportionately large numbers of accidents and fatalities. Since 1992, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada has made 48 recommendations to address safety deficiencies. Fishing safety has been on the Watchlist since 2010.