Maritime PPE Fatality File

Royal Caribbean Crew Member Dies from Maritime Injury

A 26-year-old Royal Caribbean crew member has died after a maritime injury he suffered while working on the cruise ship Vision of the Seas.   The crew member was performing maintenance work when he fell off the side of the ship.  Divers subsequently located and recovered his body.  This crew member marks the 349th person to fall overboard while on a cruise ship since 2000.

The crew member, Marvin Galero, was married with a 3-year-old child.  He was the third of nine siblings, and will be terribly missed.  Circumstances pertaining to this maritime injury and death remain cloudy.  In fact, four people are under investigation, including the captain of the ship.  Media reports state that manslaughter charges could result from Galero’s death.

Neglected Safety Procedures and Maritime Injury

At the time of the accident, it appears that the cruise line was not following proper safety procedures.  Galero was not wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).  Royal Caribbean’s safety quality manual (SQM) outlines “work aloft” procedures.  The worker should have been wearing appropriate PPE, including a safety harness and other equipment.

The Royal Caribbean SQM obliges crew supervisors, department heads, and safety officers to sign off on the training that each crew member receives.  This is to make sure they are familiar with necessary safety equipment as they carry out dangerous aspects of their work.  Studies show this education and training is one of the most important factors in maritime safety.