Merchant Seaman Suffers Fatal Fall Aboard C/V MSC DAMLA [Antwerp, BE – 28 March 2017]

Posted by admin on Mar 31, 2017 in Bulletins

Late last Tuesday evening (28 March), Kshitji Singh Bisht, a young, Indian merchant seaman, lost his life in a fall into a hatch aboard the C/V MSC DAMLA (Ex MOL PRODUCER). The vessel was conducting normal cargo operations at the new DP World container terminal at Antwerp (Waaslandhaven). News sources indicate that the 19 year old sailor was responding to an oil/water alarm just before midnight, and while descending a steep stairway into one of the ship’s holds slipped and fell approximately 16 meters (52.4 feet).  The stairway was likely wet, given the presence of thunderstorms. He had been part of the vessel’s complement for only a few days.

Mr. Singh Bisht, originally from Lucknow, a large city in northern India and the capital of the state of Uttar Pradesh, had attended his first year of college aboard Training Ship Rahaman, Panvel, Mumbai and had just begun an 18-month at-sea assignment aboard C/V MSC DAMLA. He was a sponsored cadet for the Mediterranean Shipping Company and was hoping to become 3rd Navigating Officer upon completion of his education.

Blueoceana Company understands that Mr. Singh Bisht was an accomplished table tennis player, and in 2009 won a bronze medal at India’s National Table Tennis Championship. His father, Jitendra Singh, is a coach for India’s national table tennis team.

Link to Media Account:  19 Year old in fatal fall in containership (032817)

Link to Media Account:  Young sailor dies after accidental fall on seagoing vessel (032817)