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Gard Guidance Masters

3.11.5.2 EVIDENCE TO BE COLLECTED

  • Take photographs and video of the place where the deceased was found<
  • mark photographs and video with the time and date
  • if no cameras are available, make drawings and sketches depicting the location/position in which the deceased was found as well as other matters of importance
  • evidence such as wires, shackles and tools which may have caused the death should be collected as evidence, marked, labelled and retained in a safe place. These items should not be tampered with or disposed of.

    Further evidence includes

  • name, gender and duties of the deceased
  • date and exact vessel’s time the death occurred
  • position/location of the vessel
  • prevailing weather conditions (keep any weather records)
  • any sudden movements of the vessel
  • light conditions, e.g. daylight, darkness, artificial light
  • exact location where the deceased was found
  • conditions of surrounding area, e.g. dry, wet, slippery, icy
  • work or activity the deceased was engaged in
  • time the work or activity was commenced by the deceased
  • STCW records of working and rest hours of the deceased if a crew member
  • was the work authorised under the permit-to-work system
  • was protective gear worn at the time of death
  • names, ranks, duties and other details of any witnesses
  • details must be recorded of the hospital or doctor who attended the deceased ashore
  • information about the general physical condition of the deceased
  • medical treatment given to the deceased before death and by whom
  • indications of fatigue
  • record of the working hours of the deceased before death
  • indications of intoxication or drug abuse
  • detailed and complete eye witness statements should be taken immediately
  • the Master should make it clear to any witnesses that the purpose of the statements is to ascertain the cause of death so as to prevent further deaths rather than to apportion any blame.