Longshore Worker Presumed Drowned After Fall From Gangway [Savannah, Georgia – 27 October 2020]
![Longshore Worker Presumed Drowned After Fall From Gangway [Savannah, Georgia – 27 October 2020]](https://blueoceana.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Screen-Shot-2020-10-27-at-4.53.59-PM-155x200.png)
With great regret, Blueoceana Company has learned of a presumed drowning accident occurring this morning (27 October) at the port of Savannah, Georgia.
In that accident, Jerome Williams, a 70 year old longshore worker and member of ILA Local Union 1414 was allegedly disembarking from C/V MAERSK TUKANG (See photo below) at approximately 2:45 AM when he fell from the foot of the gangway and into the Savannah River between the dock and the vessel. We believe Mr. Williams had been engaged in lashing activities aboard the ship.
Reportedly, he did not surface and as of late this afternoon his body is yet to be recovered. U.S. Coast Guard water and air assets were deployed to assist in that recovery.
Photographs said to have been taken immediately after the accident appear to show a significant (greater than 1 foot) space between the gangway’s foot and the dock’s stringpiece. Normally, the gangway is pivoted out in such a manner as to rest on the dock. When that cannot be accomplished, for whatever reason, any greater-than-1-foot space created is bridged by a brow-type arrangement equipped with guardrails.
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