Tragedy struck aboard the catcher-processor Northern Eagle, operating in the Bering Sea on Aug. 18, when able seaman David Kumah died after an ammonia leak in a confined space.
“I have been informed by someone onboard the Northern Eagle, an American Seafoods vessel, that their Second Engineer has passed away in an accidental ammonia discharge,” writes Lucas Wright, a former crew member, in an email to National Fisherman. “His name was David Kumah [a native of Ghana in West Africa]. I used to be his relief as an oiler on the boat myself.”
According to Wright, relaying information reportedly from a senior member of the crew, the accident happened at 1:15 a.m. on Friday. “They began steaming to Dutch shortly thereafter. The ammonia room was retrofitted from what was a tank so the only hatch to get out was on the upper level. I guessed that this is where it happened before it was confirmed.”
Wright believes the company had plans to completely renovate the ammonia room where the accident occurred. “Because the way it was retrofitted was dangerous and left no escape route from the lowest level in the event of an emergency,” he says.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the fatal injury rate for fishing and hunting workers was 132.1 per 100,000 FTEs in 2020, far more than any other occupation. That rate dropped to 75.2 per 100,000 in 2021, but commercial fishing remains a dangerous enterprise, even on relatively safe larger vessels like the 341-foot Northern Eagle.
American Seafoods has acknowledged the accident and issued a statement. “We’re shocked and saddened at this loss and are in contact with the family to express our deepest condolences and to provide whatever support we can. We are also providing grief counseling to crew members and are fully cooperating with local authorities. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family and friends during this difficult time,” says Michael Wolfe, a spokesman for American Seafoods.
