Sealord, a prominent seafood company with a significant presence in Mauritius, has faced conviction in New Zealand due to the discovery of asbestos aboard the fishing vessel Will Watch. The conviction follows the alert raised by a crew member who strongly suspected the presence of asbestos.
The charge against Sealord is linked to the company’s failure to ensure the proper protection of its workers from potential harm caused by asbestos exposure.
The incident unfolded in 2021 when a crew member aboard the 50-year-old fishing vessel, Will Watch, noticed unfamiliar insulation material in a locker room. Recognizing the potential danger, he promptly informed the ship’s captain, prompting further investigation into the matter.
Asbestos exposure is known to have severe health implications, particularly in sectors such as maritime, due to its historical use in ship construction.
Although asbestos was phased out in New Zealand during the 1990s and globally banned in shipbuilding in 2011, its use was widespread in earlier construction, including engines, insulation, and various components.
Sealord initially believed there was no asbestos risk to the crew of the Will Watch, assuming the vessel had been purged of asbestos before arriving in Mauritius during the 1980s.
Subsequent testing, initiated by the crew member’s concerns, revealed asbestos presence on the vessel, although not in the areas initially suspected.
Consequently, Sealord faced charges for failing to uphold its duty of safeguarding workers’ health and safety, thereby exposing them to potential harm from asbestos fibers.
In New Zealand’s Nelson District Court, Sealord admitted to the charge, acknowledging the company’s ability to conduct comprehensive asbestos risk assessments and consult with its subsidiary, United Frame International (Cook Islands) Limited, about asbestos-related hazards. It’s noteworthy that Sealord owned the vessel from 1986 to 1997 before its acquisition by UFI.
The Will Watch, stationed in Mauritius and frequently operating in the southern Indian Ocean, often had Sealord workers on board to address crew shortages, provide training, and ensure adherence to health and safety standards.
Upon the worker’s alert, the vessel’s management assured him that the ship had undergone inspections and clearance in 1994. However, upon the ship’s arrival in Mauritius, the worker, along with another crew member, removed asbestos-containing material from the engine exhaust system.
The worker’s letter to Nelson MP Rachel Boyack prompted action, ultimately leading to involvement from Maritime New Zealand in September 2021. Subsequent investigations confirmed asbestos traces on the vessel.
Despite Sealord’s assertion that asbestos posed no risk to its crew, further testing confirmed asbestos presence in specific areas of the ship. Consequently, ship operations were suspended on January 13 of the following year, and the crew was disembarked.
A painting company tasked with asbestos removal yielded positive results from samples taken around the ship’s exhaust area.
Sealord is scheduled to be sentenced in December, and the company declined to comment on the ongoing legal proceedings.
Source: New Zealand Herald
