Fumes from water in refrigeration system killed trawlermen

A mixture of dormant (stagnant) water and seawater in a fishing trawler’s refrigerated sea water system contributed to the deaths of two crewmen from toxic gases.

A marine investigation report, published yesterday, recommended that the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport issue a marine notice, warning crews on fishing vessels of the hazards associated with toxic gas generation and retention in refrigerated sea water (RSW) systems.

The men who died were not named in the report conducted by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board. They were Aran Islands-born James Joyce, 27, and a Filipino, Joel Alama, 46.