Key Aspects:
- MAIB has released its report on the October 2025 death of a P&O crew member in an elevator accident, identifying multiple safety failures.
- The investigation found that the incident followed inadequate planning and a failure to properly establish control of the elevator’s movement.
- Carnival UK has implemented additional safety measures following the incident, and investigators have recommended a review of elevator door interlocks as a safety barrier.
Nearly a year after a crew member died in an elevator accident on P&O Cruises’ Arvia, the UK government has released new findings on the incident. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) released its report on October 8, 2026, identifying multiple safety failures.
As Arvia is a Bermuda-flagged vessel, the Bermuda Shipping and Maritime Authority had jurisdiction to investigate the accident. However, it allowed MAIB to conduct the investigation on its behalf.
The 185,600-gross-ton vessel had just kicked off its winter Caribbean season on a 14-night voyage to Barbados. Arvia departed from Southampton on October 24, 2025 and was only two days into the sailing when the incident occurred.
On October 26, while Arvia was at sea, Lixter Dave Visaya Mahinay, a 35-year-old Filipino electrical technician, was inspecting a passenger elevator following overnight repairs. After using the fixed ladder to gain access to the shaft, a previously stored call signal caused the elevator to move while he was still inside.
Mahinay was subsequently crushed between the elevator car and the side of the shaft, resulting in his death. The ship was then diverted to A Coruña, Spain, where his body was brought ashore.
Cruise Hive reported on MAIB’s interim findings when they were released in February 2026. The interim report detailed the incident, but did not identify the safety issues behind it.
The new October 2026 report gave more detail of the exact circumstances surrounding the incident. It further identified several safety issues that contributed to the accident, including inconsistent training and competence assurance.
One contributing factor highlighted in the report was ineffective communication and planning among the repair team. It reports that the team deviated from the maintenance plan outlined in the work permit and failed to agree on a method of work prior to beginning the inspection.
MAIB also found that proper control over the elevator’s movement had not been established before Mahinay entered the shaft. It also determined that the team was over-reliant on the elevator door interlocks as a safety barrier, which reset during the incident, allowing the elevator to respond to the stored call signal.
Changes Made Following the Accident
The October 8 report confirmed that Carnival UK, which operates P&O Cruises, has taken steps across its fleet to reinforce elevator maintenance procedures. The cruise operator has updated its training materials and expanded communication requirements.
Carnival UK has also implemented an interim requirement for all elevator maintenance personnel to have completed basic safety training within the last six months. This training is to be conducted by either the equipment manufacturer or a third party.
Further, it has introduced a competency verification process, requiring maintenance crew members to complete a post-training assessment. Additionally, the use of elevator fixed shaft ladders as an access point to the top of the elevator car has been prohibited.
MAIB has issued a recommendation that Carnival UK also conduct a review of the self-resetting elevator door interlocks as a safety barrier. This review is recommended to prevent another unintentional activation of the elevator during maintenance.
