Polish ferry crew member dies after mooring line nearly severs leg

A POLISH crew member of a Norfolk Lines ferry yesterday died from severe leg injuries sustained last week when a mooring line smashed into him in Dublin Port last week.

The incident happened as the vessel, the Dublin Viking, was preparing to leave the port on August 7. The International Transport Federation (IFT) said the crew member, Patrycjusz (Patrick) Zawadowicz whose wife is expecting their first child next month, almost had his leg severed by the rope. IFT also said another man was also struck and sustained a dislocated shoulder. The second man’s injury has not been confirmed by the Meridian Marine Management, technical and crew managers for Norfolk Line.

Mr Zawadowicz underwent surgery at the Mater Hospital in Dublin but died yesterday.

His parents said they are not happy with how their son’s death has been explained.

Mr Patrycjusz’s father, Stanislaw Zawadowicz, himself a ship’s officer with 30 years’ experience who came to Ireland with his wife after the incident, is quoted by the ITF as saying: “Somebody made a mistake while manoeuvring the vessel away from the berth.”

However, a Meridian spokesman said the vessel was not moving at the time of the incident. It said investigations into the cause of the accident are being carried out by the company, the operator, the British Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) and the Irish Marine Directorate.

However, Ken Fleming of the ITF, who is continuing his own investigation into the incident, said: “I am very disappointed that more information was not made available for the family.” He added the ITF had been informed by gardaí that officers will be investigating the circumstances of the death. Mr Zawadowicz was due to retire at the end of this month to take up shore-based employment so that he could spend more time at home with his family.

“While safety conditions in some parts of Dublin Port are of a high standard, they tend to be focused on shore-based activity. Hopefully, with the help of the ITF, Mr Zawadowicz’s family can now establish the truth,” said Mr Fleming.