Inspection Detail

Inspection: 308768159 - Big River Shipbuilders Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Jackson Area Office

Investigation Summary

On July 22, 2005, Employee #1 was working as a diver at a harbor project in Vicksburg, MS. He was taking a cable attached to an 0.75-inch rope under a tugboat to tie it off, so that the tug could be lifted into a dry dock. The water temperature was approximately eighty-five degrees F. Employee #1 dove into the water and went under the tugboat to secure the rudders. He came up from the water and talked with his brother. He then went down for a second time, to swim under the tugboat and go to the other side. When he came up on the other side of the boat, Employee #1 made contact with his brother, who was standing on the tugboat. He did not break the surface of the water; rather, he came within six inches to a foot from surfacing and then slowly began to sink back into the water. Employee #1's brother put on his diving equipment to go into the water to get his brother. It took about ten minutes to find Employee #1. He was at the bottom, at a depth of approximately thirty-five feet. He had drowned. The coroner determined that he had run out of energy and air. Death was ruled accidental due to freshwater drowning.

Keywords: ASPHYXIATED, SHIPYARD, DOCK, DROWN, DIVER, BOAT