Diver dies in accident at Chilean salmon farm
A commercial diver who was working at a salmon farm in Chile died on Thursday afternoon in circumstances that are under investigation, Fish Farming Expert’s Chilean sister site, Salmonexpert.cl reports.
The man from Ancud was diving in the port of Chacabuco, in the Aysén region.
According to information provided by the Chacabuco Port Authority, on-duty personnel received a phone call from the head of the Elena Weste fish farm to report the emergency evacuation of an injured diver using the catamaran Caleta Vidal, which was being used as a dive boat at the salmon farm.
Harbour master Simón Stuven said a Navy fast patrol boat was dispatched to intercept the catamaran and expedite the evacuation.
No vital signs
However, once on shore, paramedics in Puerto Chacabuco confirmed that the victim was without vital signs and had died, according to Radio Biobío.
The Puerto Aysén duty prosecutor ordered the appropriate procedures, along with the return of the body dependent on the SML (Ministry of Justice).
The permanent maritime prosecutor of the Aysén Maritime Governorate was informed of the situation and the background information and was dispatched to carry out the initial investigation.
“The Puerto Chacabuco Harbor Master’s Office, on behalf of the Chilean Navy, deeply regrets this situation and extends its condolences to the family and loved ones,” the maritime authority stated.
Diving safety law
In October last year Chile's House of Representatives approved a bill creating the contract for diving and related activities. The initiative then moved to the second stage, to the Senate.
The bill modifies the Labour Code and is a response to the alarming accident rates in the commercial diving sector.
Under the law, a diving employment contract will govern all activities requiring the use of diving personnel, including those carried out in tanks, pools, and other industrial facilities.
A registry of diving services and the requirement for a licence for diving work are also being established, along with a protocol of procedures for responding to decompression accidents. Its purpose is to coordinate the relevant institutions and the company for timely access to hyperbaric chambers.
Safety obligations are also being established for contracting and subcontracting companies for the performance of their workers.
