Shortcuts are rarely the safest option, warns The Nautical Institute in its latest Mars Report. In this report, a crew member took a shortcut to check the anchor resulting in a fall and injury.
The Nautical Institute gathers reports of maritime accidents and near-misses. It then publishes these so-called Mars (Mariners’ Alerting and Reporting Scheme) Reports (anonymously) to prevent other accidents from happening. This is one of these reports.
The vessel was at anchor. In the early morning hours, a crew member went on deck to check the anchor’s condition. Instead of taking the known recommended route on the starboard side, known as “the safe way to the bow”, he chose the shorter port side option. This route went via a ramp that led up and over some deck piping.
While crossing the deck ramp, he slipped on the damp surface, lost his balance and fell to the deck from a height of around one metre. The victim complained of a sore left elbow, which had taken the brunt of the fall, and was given first aid. Later that day, he was sent ashore for medical attention.
Also read: A gap – a slip – an injury on board an LNG tanker: ‘Don’t overreach, ask for help’
Investigation findings
The company investigation found that he was not holding the handrail of the ramp while crossing. Also, his choice of routes, using the shorter port side option instead of the starboard “safe way to the bow”, increased the chances of an accident or incident.
Also read: Tidy up or trip: Keep your deck free of clutter
Advice from The Nautical Institute
- Shortcuts are rarely the safest option, but they are often taken, especially for mundane tasks, as we feel we are in control and that nothing could happen. But it does.
- Stairs and ramps require three points of contact for a safe passage.
Also read: The importance of an unobstructed deck: Small trip on lanyard leads to repatriation
Mars Reports
This accident was covered in the Mars Reports, originally published as Mars 202420, that are part of Report Number 378. A selection of the Mars Reports are also published in the SWZ|Maritime magazine. The Nautical Institute compiles these reports to help prevent maritime accidents. That is why they are also published (in full) on SWZ|Maritime’s website.
More reports are needed to keep the scheme interesting and informative. All reports are read only by the Mars coordinator and are treated in the strictest confidence. To submit a report, please use the Mars report form.
