(MARS 201878) Three crew members were in the process of reeving in the topping wire of the provision crane.
One crew member was guiding the wire on to the warping drum while another signalled to the bosun who was using a remote control on deck to run the drum. At one point, wire pinched the fingers of the crew member guiding it, causing him to cry out in pain.
The bosun reacted quickly, but, out of confusion and panic, he operated the crane in the wrong direction, which resulted in the crew member’s hand being further squeezed by the warping drum. First aid was immediately administered. Because of the severity of the injury, however, the victim had to be signed off from the vessel and sent ashore for further medical attention.
The company investigation found that the bosun, who had just joined the vessel, was not sufficiently familiar with the safe and smooth operation of the crane.
Lessons Learned
- A toolbox meeting (or Take-5 system) that exposes the job hazards and mitigation measures can help reduce accidents.
- Co-ordination and communication techniques should be agreed upon while performing any job that involves more than one person.
- Proper familiarisation should be given to any newly joined crew members. For example, the first few operations of the crane by a newly joined member of crew should be done under supervision of a qualified officer or other experienced crew member.
- Operating procedures and the instructions on the crane’s key controls (with photographs) could be posted near the provision crane operating position for easy reference.
MARS Reports
This is one of the December MARS Reports that are part of Report Number 314. A selection of this Report has also been published in SWZ|Maritime’s January issue.
Acknowledgement
Through the kind intermediary of The Nautical Institute we gratefully acknowledge sponsorship provided by:
American Bureau of Shipping, AR Brink & Associates, Britannia P&I Club, Cargill, Class NK, DNV, Gard, IHS Fairplay Safety at Sea International, International Institute of Marine Surveying, Lairdside Maritime Centre, London Offshore Consultants, MOL Tankship Management (Europe) Ltd, Noble Denton, North of England P&I Club, Sail Training International, Shipowners Club, The Marine Society and Sea Cadets, The Swedish Club, UK Hydrographic Office, West of England P&I Club
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