This incident, reported by the Marine Security Discussion board, occurred throughout drydock operations involving a vessel present process a flag change. The occasion highlights the dangers related to dealing with gear at top with out satisfactory planning or task-specific data.
What Occurred
Throughout a drydock interval, a vessel required all lifebuoys to be re-marked attributable to a change in port of registry. Early within the day, the Chief Officer directed the deck crew to gather all lifebuoys. Whereas trying to retrieve the port-side man overboard (MOB) lifebuoy, an Ready Seaman (AB) launched the retaining pin whereas holding the connecting line to the smoke float. The AB underestimated the lifebuoy’s weight, misplaced grip, and the lifebuoy with the connected smoke float fell roughly 22 meters, hanging the quayside edge earlier than touchdown on the backside of the drydock. The mixed weight of the thing was 7.6 kg.
Dock personnel had been current on the dock backside on the time, although circuitously within the impression space. All work was instantly halted, and personnel evacuated the world because the smoke float discharged.
Why It Occurred
The incident occurred attributable to a mix of insufficient planning, lack of familiarity, and inadequate danger consciousness. The chance evaluation and toolbox discuss performed earlier than the duty didn’t establish the potential for dropped objects, notably in a drydock atmosphere the place personnel could also be working under. No management measures had been applied to limit entry to the drop zone, leaving dock personnel uncovered to potential hurt.
The Ready Seaman (AB) assigned to gather the lifebuoys was unfamiliar with the precise setup of the person overboard (MOB) lifebuoy and its connected smoke float. This unfamiliarity contributed to his failure to disconnect the smoke float or correctly safe the lifebuoy earlier than releasing the retaining pin. Moreover, the AB didn’t anticipate the better weight of the MOB lifebuoy, which differs considerably from commonplace lifebuoys. When confronted with an surprising state of affairs, he didn’t pause to reassess or seek the advice of with a supervisor, persevering with the duty with out addressing the elevated complexity.
Actions Taken
Following the incident, the vessel proprietor performed a complete assessment of the onboard security procedures. A gathering was held to judge and enhance the present danger evaluation processes, together with how duties are assigned and the way simultaneous operations are managed. It was acknowledged that the duty ought to have been delegated to a crew member conversant in the precise lifebuoy association.
The pre-task briefing was discovered to be inadequate, missing the element required for secure execution. The crew was additionally reminded of the significance of the “Step-back” method—encouraging people to pause and lift issues if a job turns into extra advanced than initially anticipated. A devoted session was held to strengthen the crew’s accountability to talk up, ask questions, and cease work when not sure, emphasizing a proactive security tradition.
Classes Discovered
At all times take into account dropped object dangers throughout planning, particularly when working at top.
Assign duties involving specialised gear to educated and acquainted personnel.
Guarantee pre-task briefings are detailed sufficient to cowl attainable variations and issues.
Encourage a robust security tradition the place crew members are empowered to cease the job and search clarification when essential.
Set up exclusion zones in potential drop areas to guard personnel throughout overhead work.
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Supply: Marine Security Discussion board
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