Real Ship Accident: Working at Height Without Restraining Gear

As part of a drill, the outboard lifeboats and tenders of a passenger ship were lowered and held alongside deck nine by their tricing pennants. The lifeboat’s bowsing tackles were rigged, tensioned from the coach roof and secured to bitts welded to the bowsing tackle blocks fitted to the lifeboat lifting plates.

On the order to release the tricing pennants, the forward crewman was unable to remove the tricing pennant hook release lever pin while at the same time holding the bowsing tackle on the bitts. The overseeing officer went to assist. As the officer removed the pin and operated the release lever, the crew member stepped to one side, which caused the bowsing rope that he was holding to come free from the bitts.

Without tension on the bowsing tackle, the lifeboat swung violently away from the ship’s side and heeled to port. The officer and crew member, who were not wearing any form of personal restraint, slipped from the smooth coach roof and fell 22 metres into the water below. They were quickly recovered by other members of the crew.

Luckily, the two men sustained only minor injuries.

Lesson learned

While other factors contributed to this accident, had the men been wearing proper fall restraint equipment they wouldn’t have taken a 22 meter plunge into the harbor waters. When working where risk of falling is present, fall restraint PPE is your last line of defense.

Latest Case Studies You Would Like:

Real Life Incident: Collision In Daylight And Good Visibility

Posted on September 4, 2023

In the early morning a small cargo ship left port bound for a short sea destination. The OOW was alone on the bridge as it was now daylight and visibility was good.

Real Life Incident: Pressure Washer Risks

Posted on August 11, 2023

On a vessel underway, two engine room crew were detailed to clean the engine room ventilator water mist catcher using a pressure cleaner.

Real Life Incident: Hatch Gantry Crane Safety Study

Posted on August 10, 2023

Current gantry crane practice and risk reduction measures are not adequate, finds a report from Dutch Safety Board (DSB).

Real Life Incident: Cargo Fire Takes 10 Days To Extinguish

Posted on August 9, 2023

A general cargo vessel was fully loaded with cut timber packed into plastic-wrapped packages, both in the cargo hold and on deck.

Real Life Incident: Paltry PPU Position Predictor

Posted on July 17, 2023

In darkness and with visibility further reduced to about 150m in fog, a container vessel was being brought to a tidal river berth under pilotage.