MAIB Interim report on the investigation of the fatal man overboard from the bulk carrier World Prize

Interim report on the investigation of the fatal man overboard from the Isle of Man registered bulk carrier World Prize 3.5 nautical miles east-south-east of Rönnskär, Sweden on 14 October 2025

The information contained in this interim report is based on the various aspects of the investigation completed to date. Readers are cautioned that there is the possibility new evidence may become available that might alter the circumstances as depicted in this report.

FACTUAL INFORMATION
At approximately 0840 on 14 October 2025, the bosun on board the bulk carrier World Prize lost their balance and fell overboard from the vessel’s main deck.
The vessel was underway departing port and the bosun had been rigging the starboard pilot ladder in preparation to disembark the two pilots on board. The bosun struck the bottom platform of World Prize’s accommodation ladder before falling into the sea. The bosun was not wearing a personal flotation device and was observed to be floating face down in the water. The crew on board the attending pilot launch Pilot 753 SE witnessed the fall and immediately turned to rescue the bosun. The pilot boat crew were unable to recover the bosun who subsequently slipped beneath the surface. A search and rescue operation was initiated but was unable to locate the bosun, whose body was eventually recovered by divers on 15 October 2025.

INVESTIGATION
This investigation is being undertaken by the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) on behalf of the Isle of Man Administration in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between the MAIB and the Red Ensign Group Category 1 registries of Isle of Man, Cayman Islands, Bermuda and Gibraltar.
The MAIB is working with the Swedish Accident Investigation Authority, Statens haverikommission (SHK

The MAIB’s investigation has considered various aspects of the accident to determine the causes and circumstances of the bosun’s fall. These include the provision, use and practicality of the personal protective equipment on board World Prize, the documented safe system of work,
the oversight of safety and the actions of the crew.
An investigation into the factors that impacted the ability of the crew on board Pilot 753 SE to  recover the casualty from the water is being undertaken by SHK.

INITIAL FINDINGS
The bosun and other members of World Prize’s crew were working for an extended period within 2m of an unguarded deck edge where a fall hazard in excess of 13m existed. The bosun was not wearing fall restraint or fall arrest equipment and was not tethered to the vessel. There was
no clear supervision of the rigging of the pilot ladder and the safe system of work detailed in World Prize’s safety management system was not being followed. The bosun sustained head injuries when they struck the bottom platform of the accommodation ladder.
The crew of Pilot 753 SE were unable to recover the bosun from the water when attempting the rescue. The bosun slipped from their grasp and sank to the seabed.
The postmortem found the bosun’s death was caused by drowning. Further, that the bosun’s moderate injuries were not considered to have been immediately fatal but, with the possibility of impaired consciousness, they may have contributed to the bosun’s drowning.

ONGOING ACTION
The combined MAIB and SHK investigation into this accident is ongoing. Once the investigation
is complete, a draft of the report will be prepared and distributed to stakeholders for a 30-day
consultation period.

Source: MAIB