Real Life Accident: Ship’s Bosun Falls From Accommodation Ladder, Body Found After Three Weeks
A vessel was underway in darkness having just disembarked the pilot. Winds were modest at B6 and there was a swell of about three metres. Air temperature was a cool 8C. The bosun, assisted by three other crew, was bringing on board and securing the pilot boarding arrangements. The bosun descended to the lower platform of the accommodation ladder to disconnect the latching mechanism which secured the pilot ladder to the accommodation ladder.
After the bosun had pulled up the lower section of the pilot ladder and placed it on the accommodation ladder, he asked one of the assisting crew to heave up the accommodation ladder. Each time the crew tried to hoist the ladder, it descended rather than moving up. After a few attempts, the crewman stopped the operation, but at this time a noise was heard and the crew realised the accommodation ladder was now hanging vertically down. The bosun could not be seen; he had not been wearing a lifejacket or a lifeline. A life ring and light were thrown into the water and the bridge informed.
Despite many hours of searching using their rescue boat, the vessel itself, the pilot boat and other boats in the area, the bosun could not be located. His body washed ashore three weeks later.
The investigation found it probable that when the ladder was mistakenly lowered (instead of raised), the weight of the ladder transferred from the hoisting wire to the latching mechanism. The mechanism failed under a load that it was not designed to hold, and the resulting shock load on the wire caused failure and free fall of the lower end of the accommodation ladder, leaving it in the vertical position.
The investigation also found it probable that the non-permanent air hose connections for powering the hoist/lower function of the accommodation ladder, which were unmarked, were mistakenly inversed when connected initially, hence the lowering action achieved when the crew wanted to hoist.
Additionally, it was found that the wire on the failed accommodation ladder was in fact only 55 metres long instead of the manufacturer’s recommended 67 metres. This probably caused undue stress and further undermined the wire’s integrity, especially considering that at least two wraps were needed on the drum at maximum payout.
The investigation further found that the bosun was working in contradiction to the company procedure for this operation, having no lifejacket nor safety line. None of the other crew working with the bosun had interjected to advise him of these shortcuts.
Editor’s note: As with almost every accident, a series of unsafe acts and unsafe conditions conspired to bring about a very serious consequence. Had any one of these been absent from the sequence of events, the accident may very well not have happened. But first and foremost I see an absence of safety culture here. Had safety been a true value of the crew, the bosun would never have gone over the side without a lifejacket and safety line. But also, had he wanted to do so nonetheless just to get the job done quickly, the other crew would have called him out on those dangerous shortcuts.
Reference : Mars Reports
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Not to mention, the lack of pride in workmanship that created the unsafe conditions in the first place – air hose connections were mistakenly inversed and accommodation ladder was only 55 metres long instead of the manufacturer’s recommended 67 metres, etc…
The investigation further found that the bosun was working in contradiction to the company procedure for this operation, having no lifejacket nor safety line. None of the other crew working with the buson had interjected to advise him of these shortcuts.
So at the end always the victim was at faults? It says none of the crew working with the buson had interjected to advise of these shortcuts. It means their is no strick procedure implemented regarding safety on that vessel if their is everybody is aware in fact the buson is not alone doing the job.Second how old is the vessel, new or old it does’t matter but how come it passed to the classification society for the standard length of the ladder. I doubted this is not only the problem on that vessel.
Regardless of the nationality of this man he should have compensated for he is doing his job. A lot of things happen on the field and no body wants to die for no reason.Seafarer, offshore personnel is like am army in the battle field they are both restless specially the lower ranking and without ranks
Also, one more observation, a lot of seamen, offshore personnel don’t know how to swim and I’m sorry to say that And it should also be a must requirements to those aspiring to work at sea. Or else, the buson should afloat for few minutes enough time to be rescued.
In summation, he stay on that gangway to do his job not aware of the consequences that happen to him , therefore he should be awarded a heroic act.And the company should not allowed to wash their hands.The company has failed her obligations to implement safety. Where as the buson has his own personal obligation of his own safety. But both failed to do it. It happens during duty hour or in the vessel’s vicinity therefore it is an obligation to the company.
I signed off from a ship a month ago & Unfortunately same type of accident happened on that ship not even a week ago near Lyttleton, newzeland..and the bosun is still not found..may his soul rest in peace.