A British coroner has announced an investigation into the deaths of two Italian divers who perished during a salvage operation in the North Sea, citing concerns over “inadequate equipment”. The case, which has drawn scrutiny from maritime safety advocates, centres on the loss of life during a routine recovery mission.
The divers, identified as Antonio Russo and Marco Bellini, both experienced professionals, died on 12 March while attempting to retrieve a cargo container lost from a freighter off the coast of Scotland. Preliminary reports indicate that their rebreather units malfunctioned, leading to fatal oxygen deprivation. The equipment, manufactured by a European company, had been subject to prior recalls for valve defects.
Dr. Helena Vance, a climate and energy analyst, notes that such tragedies underscore the hidden costs of our reliance on maritime shipping. “Every container that falls overboard represents a compounding risk. We are pushing our industrial systems to their limits, and the human cost is becoming impossible to ignore.”
The coroner, based in Hull, has scheduled hearings for late May. Families of the deceased have called for a full inquiry into the certification and maintenance of diving equipment used in salvage operations. The Health and Safety Executive has already launched a separate investigation into the incident.
This is not an isolated event. In 2023, a report by the International Marine Contractors Association found that equipment failure accounted for over 40% of diving fatalities in the North Sea over the past decade. Yet regulatory oversight remains fragmented, with different jurisdictions enforcing varying standards.
The divers’ employer, a Italian salvage company, has declined to comment, citing ongoing legal proceedings. However, leaked internal emails suggest that equipment checks had been flagged as “inconsistent” prior to the incident.
As the investigation unfolds, it raises broader questions about the safety of offshore operations in an era of increasing maritime traffic. With climate change driving more extreme weather, the risk of lost cargo and subsequent salvage missions is likely to rise. Each recovery attempt carries its own perils, a reality that regulators and operators must confront.
Dr. Vance points out that the energy transition also plays a role. “As we shift to renewable energy, we are dismantling old platforms and laying new cables. These operations require complex underwater work. If equipment standards fail to keep pace, we will see more avoidable deaths.”
The coroner’s verdict is expected to include recommendations for improved testing protocols and mandatory third-party audits of life-support systems. For the families of Russo and Bellini, such measures are cold comfort. They want accountability, and they want change.
This story will be updated as new details emerge from the inquiry.
