Boat engineer, 20, died after toxic spray release

Conor Moseley died after inhaling toxic spray

A 20-year-old apprentice engineer died after inhaling toxic fire extinguisher spray in the engine room of a fishing boat in Cornwall, an investigation has found.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) said Conor Moseley was on board as the fire-extinguishing system was being installed on the Resurgam, a scallop dredger, in Newlyn Harbour.

The FirePro system was designed to suppress fire, but it also generated a spray which was hazardous to health when inhaled in significant quantities, a MAIB report said.

The system was accidentally activated in the engine room as it was being installed. FirePro said it welcomed the MAIB report.

A dense white cloud of spray was released from the fire-extinguishing system

The system released a "dense white" cloud of aerosol particles into the engine room, which significantly contributed to Mr Moseley's death, said the report into the accident on 15 November 2019.

Three other workers escaped, but the young engineer collapsed near the exit door.

He was later found unconscious and could not be revived.

The marine investigators identified several safety issues, including:

• The fire-extinguishing aerosol was hazardous to health when inhaled in significant quantities and these hazards were not identified in the manufacturer FirePro's safety information.

• The installation of the fire-extinguishing system had not been properly planned or risk mitigation measures put in place to protect people working in the space.

• There was ineffective oversight at both the system design and installation stages and no standards for marine installers.

The Resurgam's owners were reminded that safety measures must be put in place

The MAIB report made several recommendations to prevent similar accidents in the future, including:

• FirePro should conduct a specific risk assessment for each of its fire-extinguishing systems, and review its safety-related documentation to include the hazards and control measures.

• The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) should improve the standard of installation of fire-extinguishing systems in vessels not part of the Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, and consider a competency standard for the installers.

• The vessel owner W Stevenson and Sons should update its safety management system to include the control and safe management of contractors, and provide a rescue plan for the engine room.

Capt Andrew Moll, chief inspector of marine accidents, said the death was a "deeply tragic accident".

He reminded owners and operators that safety measures must be put in place to ensure personnel were not exposed to this hazard.

Regulations on working in enclosed spaces had changed in May to include fishing boats.

An MCA spokesperson said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Conor Moseley.

"We take all aspects of maritime safety very seriously and continually review approvals with respect to aerosol fixed fighting systems to make these as safe as possible.

"Following the findings of this latest MAIB report, the MCA is taking further steps to improve the safety standard for aerosol fixed firefighting systems including a new Marine Guidance Note and raising awareness with stakeholders."

FirePro said in a statement: "We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Conor Moseley and welcome the MAIB report."

The firm continued: "We note that the report concludes that the fire extinguishing system was inadvertently activated by a third party in their attempt to install it onboard the Resurgam, and the installation procedures were not followed.

"Irrespective of this, as a responsible manufacturer that takes extremely seriously the safety of people, FirePro has since issued worldwide safety guidance and alerts to vessel operators, fire system distributors and installers."

W Stevenson and Sons has been approached for comment.