14 May 2012

US department to join investigation into death in American Samoa waters

10:09 am on 14 May 2012

The US Department of Labor has confirmed that its Occupational Safety and Health Administration will be involved in the investigation into the death of a crew member on board the MV Carol Linda, which returned back to the territory yesterday.

The investigation is led by the US Coast Guard which says the accident occurred about 700 miles north of American Samoa.

The Labor Department says the Coast Guard has asked OSHA to assist it with its inspection.

Ms Amaden says the Coast Guard has the lead, but OSHA will be joining them to look into possible safety issues under federal OSHA jurisdiction.

An initial report received by the Coast Guard states that the main mast of the vessel that holds up the boom broke in half and fell on crew members, killing one crew member and injuring another.