Shipowners have been urged not to cut corners on food safety following the deaths of 13 seafarers from suspected food poisoning on a Chinese bulker.
Vietnamese state rescue officials said the tragedy occurred on Friday on the 76,000-dwt China-flag Wu Zhou 8 (built 2013).
The other nine crew members from the ship were said to be critically ill.
Vietnamese media have reported fish as the possible source of the poisoning.
Marine catering management company MCTC told TradeWinds it is vital that crews receive a high level of catering and nutrition training to avoid such incidents.
Chief executive Christian Ioannou said: “When it comes to the safety of our seafarers, there is nothing more important.”
“Food is our seafarers’ fuel. We wouldn’t put unsafe fuel into our ships, so we must ensure galley crews receive the correct level of training when it comes to preparing food for seafarers onboard,” he added.
Ioannou said food really can be a life or death situation when it is prepared incorrectly or unsafe food is used.
The CEO also believes the MLC 2006 Convention guidelines on food and catering on board could be revisited following the incident.
He said: “The guidelines currently state that food provided must be nutritious and varied and prepared in hygienic conditions.”
Going further on guidelines
“I do feel that they could go further with their guidelines and be more specific on the nutrition side. Following this incident perhaps we should consider revisiting the guidelines and looking at the food safety side of it as well,” he added.
MCTC believes there are a number of reasons fish could have caused the deaths.
Food may not have been stored correctly, or may have been out of date.
Fish may also have been caught in polluted waters, or poisonous species consumed.
MCTC warned crew members to take care when fishing and also to use fish bought from reputable suppliers.
Fishing can be a relaxing activity while onboard, but it is important to be aware of the risks associated with it, the company said.
Many species are extremely poisonous and lethal if consumed. There are enough toxins in one pufferfish to kill 30 adult humans.
The Wu Zhou 8 is listed as managed by Cosco Shipping Seafarer Management and owned by Chaozhou Xingwang Shipping.
Cosco has been contacted for comment.
