The loss of life of First Officer Selçuk Elibol in China last week, and First Officer Yücel Ulaşkın in Russia today as a result of falling while descending with a cross to measure the draft on the ships they work, brought “safety equipment” to the agenda. Captain Mustafa Can, Vice President of the Maritime Safety Association and Chairman of Transbosphor Denizcilik, said that the safety equipment on each ship aims to ensure the safety of life and must be used.
The rules are written by blood at sea
Stating that while using the cross, sailors must use a life belt, which is obligatory on the ships as per IMO rules, and one end is attached to the ship with a rope, Can: “Due to the environment we are in, maybe we will finish our work as soon as possible, maybe because we are too lazy to put on the belt, we say ‘I will get off in two minutes’. But all accidents happen at once, in a moment of distraction, we forget what is happening in a matter of seconds. However, if our brothers had worn the life belts and ropes, which are produced even with automatics today, they would be with us today. Unfortunately, the rules are written by blood at sea. That’s why our ships have the phrase Safety First in capital letters.”
Can finished his speech by saying, “I wish these accidents will be the last, I wish God’s mercy on both of our brothers and my condolences to our maritime community”.