Longshoreman Succumbs to Drowning Death In Ro-Ro Ship Loading Accident [Brunswick, Georgia – 17 November 2019]

Posted by admin on Nov 17, 2019 in Bulletins

With great regret, Blueoceana Company has been made to understand that Mr. Lon Bland, a member of ILA Local Union 1423 (Brunswick, GA), was drowned in an accident at that port early (approx 3:00 AM) this morning.

Not all facts have come to us as yet, but we do know that the work at hand was the loading of the K Line car ship M/V APPOLON HIGHWAY (See photo below).

Early word, is that the worker was operating a vehicle and “… went off the berth and into the water.” Initial reports allege that four of Mr. Bland’s colleagues attempted immersed water rescue, but were unsuccessful. They were subsequently treated for hypothermia, minor abrasions and strains. We believe they’ll be OK, and will continue to monitor the situation.

Given the recentness of this accident, we expect to receive further information and will supplement this post with updates as they become available.

Link To Media Account:

Link To Media Account:

UPDATE: 18 November 2019 [6:30 PM]

Reports coming from labor/management investigators on the ground today at Brunswick Port suggest the following:

1). Vehicles for loading aboard M/V APPOLON HIGHWAY were staged parallel to the vessel; to the rear of the stern ramp. Mr. Bland was behind the wheel of a black Mercedes (nearly identical to the vehicle in the photo below), lined up with other workers behind the wheel of their respective vehicles.

2). As loading operations proceeded, Mr. Bland’s vehicle was observed to move to the left of the stern ramp, continuing past the wooden bull rail and through the tubular aluminum fence forming the perimeter of the berth. Witnesses have allegedly stated that there was no evidence of attempted braking of the vehicle Mr. Bland was operating, and investigators have opined that no evidence of an attempted stop was found on the pavement leading to water entry.

3). Passing over the bull rail and tubular fence, the vehicle allegedly flipped and entered the water upside down. Fellow ILA longshore workers (five of them, singularly and jointly) attempted water immersion rescue, but were unable to free Mr. Bland from the confines of the vehicle.