15 deficiencies found on ship after pilot falls
Captain A Z M Robiuzzaman fell after the rope snapped while he was descending the ladder from the Box Endeavor. Photo: Agamir Somoy
A port pilot was seriously injured after the rope of a ship’s accommodation ladder snapped at the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port. The incident has led to a situation resembling the discovery of a snake while digging for worms. During an investigation into the accident, the Department of Shipping found evidence of the poor and dangerous condition of the foreign container ship Box Endeavor. A total of 15 serious technical and operational deficiencies were identified, including an inoperative firefighting system.
The ship has been detained at the Charlie area of the outer anchorage for violating international maritime safety regulations. Its port clearance to leave Chattogram has been canceled. Its voyage to Port Klang in Malaysia carrying 1,100 export containers has also been suspended.
The accident occurred last Friday afternoon at the outer anchorage as the ship was preparing to leave Chattogram Port after loading export goods. Senior port pilot Captain A Z M Robiuzzaman had safely taken the ship to the outer anchorage. As he was descending the ladder, the manropes on both sides of the ladder snapped and he fell. He survived what could have been a fatal accident after landing on a boat below. However, he sustained serious injuries to his right hand and back. The injured pilot is receiving treatment at Chattogram Port Hospital.
Rafiquddin Ahmed, general manager of Continental Traders (BD), the shipping agent for Box Endeavor, said, “We are waiting for the investigation committee’s report. We will observe the findings and inform the central office that operates the ship. The next steps will be taken according to their instructions.”
Following the accident, Chattogram Port and the Department of Shipping formed a two-member investigation committee. The members inspected the ship at the Charlie Anchorage at the outer anchorage on Saturday morning. During an inspection led by Department of Shipping ship surveyor Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman, the committee found deficiencies in the ship’s International Safety Management System. The committee also considered the snapping of the manrope while the pilot was disembarking a violation of international regulations. The rope was of poor quality and was not properly maintained on a regular basis.
The investigation committee found that the emergency fire hydrant valve in the crew accommodation area was completely inoperative. The ventilation flaps on both the port and starboard sides of the engine room were also not closing properly. Because of these defects, if a fire broke out while the ship was at sea, it would not have been possible to prevent the spread of air. This could have resulted in a major accident.
The committee also found dangerous accumulations of oil on the tray of the heavy fuel oil separator. There was clear evidence of regular oil leakage from the glands of the fuel transfer pump, sludge tank and cooling pump. Oil was also found accumulated in the tray of the incinerator settling tank. A thick layer of oil was also found in the funnel.
The investigation found that the ship’s draft marks were unclear. This meant there were no clear markings showing how deeply the ship would sit in the water when loaded with cargo. It also emerged that the markings at the master station did not match the crew list.
According to sources involved in the investigation, the most surprising finding was that key personnel in the engine department were not familiar with operating the cargo hold smoke detection system and related safety equipment. The committee questioned why the Filipino or foreign crew members of a modern ship holding certification from an internationally recognized organization such as Lloyd’s Register were not competent in operating a basic smoke detection system.
A captain who operates domestic and foreign container ships told Agamir Somoy, “A ship with an inoperative fire hydrant where the crew cannot operate the firefighting equipment and oil is leaking in the engine room could face a major fire and loss of life at any moment in the deep sea.”
Earlier, in November 2025, a port pilot was injured after the manrope of the AS Cecilia snapped at the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port. He remained traumatized for a long time after the incident. After the allegations were proven, the port authority fined the ship Tk 3 million. The ship left the port after paying the fine following a three day detention. Many irregularities in the ship’s management have now emerged alongside the allegations in the latest incident. There are allegations that after these findings emerged during the investigation, a group is trying to cover up the matter and secure the ship’s release quickly. However, no one concerned was willing to provide details about the matter.
Captain Sheikh Jalal Uddin Gazi, head of the Department of Shipping, said, “I was the one who detained the Cecilia for three days. The European shipowner came and paid the fine. The ship left the port waters only after correcting 100 percent of every deficiency identified during the investigation and obtaining clearance following a reinspection. The same procedure must still be followed before the ship will be allowed to leave the outer anchorage.”
