Deckhand Kevin Meyers, 52, who had four years of experience, was working at the Calvert City Terminal in Marshall County at about 1.15am local time February 26 when he was discovered missing.

“He had been assigned the task of measuring the draft of a set of empty barges that were to be loaded,” the US Mine Safety and Health Administration said in its preliminary fatalgram released late Tuesday, adding that the victim had to cross from the dock to the first empty barge and had last been observed walking up-river on the vessel.

“He apparently fell from the barge into the water. The victim was found beneath the bow of the dock at approximately 2.30am … wearing a flotation device, but the flotation device was not designed to keep an unconscious miner's face above water.”

In hopes of preventing future similar incidents at other US operations, MSHA reminded workers to always utilize electronic devices to determine the draft in barges and to install and use lifeline tie-off systems to provide fall protection.

Also, officials stressed the importance of using and maintaining sufficient area lighting and personal lighting and that no individual should ever work alone.

In addition to an efficient protocol for communications, all sites should make sure safe access in work or travel areas.

“Watch footing and stay clear of ropes, cables, and other obstacles,” MSHA said.

“Use de-icing material to clear ice from walkways [and] maintain three points of contact where practicable.”

Finally, for protection, all facility workers should have a properly-fitted personal flotation device designed to keep the face above water. Also, workers should have wearable electronic emergency warning systems to immediately notify others of a water fall; the devices can be equipped with water-activated strobe lights and global positioning system tracking.

Meyers’ death was the second in 2012 in the coal mining industry, and the first to be classified by MSHA as slip or fall of person.

According to federal data, the Calvert City terminal is operated by SCH Terminal with John Hunt III recorded as controller.