A young seafarer from the Lomaiviti Princess 11, Samisoni Dauloloma, is facing an uncertain future after losing his foot in a serious accident at work. The 23-year-old, a second-year student at the Fiji Maritime Academy, had just started working for Goundar Shipping when the incident occurred.
On Sunday morning, as the vessel was docking at Natovi Landing from Levuka, a heavy metal ram used in the berthing process fell, crushing Dauloloma’s foot. Doctors were forced to amputate the limb due to the extent of the injury. “The pain was unbearable. My boots filled with blood. It was terrifying,” Dauloloma recalled.
Following the accident, he criticized the lack of communication and oversight, stating that the ram operator had no proper guidance during the berthing process. With the situation unfolding rapidly, Dauloloma was pulled from beneath the ram by the ship’s engineer as passengers hurried to assist.
Despite the severity of the incident, Dauloloma’s family has expressed their frustration over the company’s lack of support. “Not a single call. Nothing. A passenger had to inform my family about what happened. It’s as if they don’t care,” he lamented.
The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) has initiated an investigation into the incident. CEO Joeli Cawaki noted that the accidents highlight significant safety concerns, stating, “This raises serious safety concerns. Our investigation will determine what went wrong.” A full report from MSAF is expected within two weeks, as the family demands accountability from Goundar Shipping.
In response, Goundar Shipping’s director, George Goundar, mentioned they are waiting for the results of the ongoing investigation, emphasizing that they had submitted their report to MSAF.
This tragic incident reflects broader issues of workplace safety, especially in the maritime sector, which have garnered attention following similar accidents involving other companies. The hope remains that such incidents catalyze improvements in safety protocols, ultimately preventing future tragedies and ensuring the wellbeing of workers across these hazardous environments.
Dauloloma, now facing a significant life change, holds on to the hope that better safety measures will be adopted moving forward, sparking a renewed focus on the protection and support of maritime workers.
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