An investigation into the death of a Manche Iles Express crew member who fell into the sea in Jersey found it was “inappropriate” that staff were staying aboard the boat on the night of the incident – and the company has now changed its policy to ensure workers are accommodated ashore when vessels spend the night in the island, Express has learned.
Bernard Jambon died on 23 July 2023 after he fell into deep water whilst trying to cross between two ferries at St Helier’s Victoria Pier.
The 63-year-old lost consciousness before he could be recovered from the water.
Attempts to resuscitate him by other crew members and later emergency services were unsuccessful.
An inquest ruled that Mr Jambon died from a cardiac atheroma and water immersion, which was compounded by alcohol intoxication.
An investigation into the circumstances of his death was carried out by the Jersey Maritime Administration, and their findings were shared in a report last month.
“Inappropriate” sleeping arrangements
The investigation found that the primary cause of the accident was the fact that there was “no effective, safe means of access” between the two boats.
“Mitigating measures put in place to enable safe access were inadequate,” the report said.
The investigation also found that arrangements for crew members sleeping aboard the vessels at the time of the accident were “inappropriate”.
It explained that, although hotel accommodation was offered, a “practice had developed whereby it was financially beneficial for crew members to stay aboard their vessel overnight rather than use the hotel provided”.
Crew members sleeping aboard the vessels used portable beds arranged in the areas between seats in the passenger cabin.
On the night of Mr Jambon’s death, hotel accommodation had been arranged for some crew members – with the remainder opting to stay aboard their vessel.
The investigation found that this sleeping investigation would not meet the requirements of the Maritime Labour Convention.
However, Jersey authorities are currently unable to enforce the requirements of the
Maritime Labour Convention of foreign vessels operating in island waters.
Judgement impaired by alcohol intoxication
Police statements from the crew claim that alcohol was being consumed by some of those on the boat, according to the report, which is “in contravention with the company policy”.
The report said: “The deceased crew member [Mr Jambon] was found to be subject to acute alcohol intoxication.
“Notwithstanding the lack of safe access between the vessels, the intoxication would have impaired both his judgement and ability to enable a successful transfer between the vessels.”
The report found that the emergency response to and recovery of the crew member falling into the water was undertaken “swiftly and effectively”.
The report stated that attempts from the other crew members to provide assistance to Mr Jambon in the water were “selfless but presented some risk to those involved”.
It continued: “Attempting CPR in this location was very difficult to undertake effectively.”
Since the incident the, Manche Iles Express has updated its company policy to require all crew members to be accommodated ashore when vessels spend the night in Jersey.
The company also revised and re-emphasised procedures regarding safe means of access between vessels, and vessel and shore.
Report recommendations
Four recommendations were outlined by the Jersey Maritime Administration as a result of the investigation.
It recommended that Manche Iles Express undertake a review of safe access provisions for its vessels when operating in Jersey to ensure that they are effective under all weather and tidal conditions.
The report also recommended that the company review the communications and enforcement of its alcohol policy for crew.
The Jersey Maritime Administration advised that the Government of Jersey and Ports of Jersey may wish to review how maritime regulations and guidance are communicated to ensure they are “easily and readily accessible by those who need or are required to use them”.
The report also noted the limited enforcement powers available to the Jersey maritime authorities, adding that the island’s Government “may wish to review the regulations and associated enforcement powers applicable to foreign vessels entering its ports”.
