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Investigation continues into death of ship worker in Mulgrave

  • February 28 2024
  • By Alec Bruce, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter    

MULGRAVE — The Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration (LSI) continues to investigate following the workplace death of a crewmember of a Clearwater Seafood vessel moored in Mulgrave for routine servicing last week.

In an email to The Journal on Feb. 26, department communications manager Monica MacLean said Clearwater notified LSI of a “workplace incident” on Feb. 22, 2024.

“Occupational health and safety (OHS) officers with the department are currently investigating this incident as the ship was in port at the time. A stop work order is currently in place.”

Christine Penney, vice president of sustainability and public affairs for Clearwater, confirmed in an email that the incident occurred on board the Anne Risley, which had been “undergoing annual maintenance refits... The vessel is safely at port, and we are cooperating with all relevant authorities.”

Neither MacLean nor Penney would divulge the crew member’s name, or any further details of the fatal occurrence, pending the outcome of the investigation.

Said Penney: “We are deeply saddened that the incident resulted in the fatality of one of our valued crew members. Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with the crew member’s family and his shipmates. We are organizing support and counselling for the family and crew of the Anne Risley. No other crewmembers were injured.”

Said MacLean: “We extend our sincere condolences to the friends and family... We want to remind everyone of the importance of workplace safety because all Nova Scotians should come home safe from work... Another family is mourning the loss of a loved one in one week.”

On Feb. 19, a 43-year-old man died at Halifax Shipyard after being hit with a piece of equipment. An OHS investigation is also underway into that incident, MacLean said.