It is a usual practise for the Engineers on board to get the steering gear room cleaned after the vessel’s arrival at the port. There would always be some minor leaks or grease deposits under the steering gear and this requires particular attention during a port stay as the ship can be boarded by inspectors any time.
The Incident:
On board an oil tanker, the Chief Engineer instructed the motorman to go to the steering gear flat and mop up a small quantity of accumulated leaked hydraulic fluid. A perimeter railing enclosed the steering gear machinery, and as, the motorman entered this enclosure, his clothing snagged on the flange coupling of the linkage that connected the rams on opposite sides of the tiller. Simultaneously, a hard over rudder movement was executed from the bridge, and the large axial movement of the linkage resulted in him being dragged into the narrow gap under the raised walkway frame, trapping and seriously injuring him.
A short while later, the Chief Engineer went to the steering gear flat to check on the work and found the injured motorman lying motionless and unable to extricate himself. After he was evacuated from the steering gear space, the motorman was airlifted to the nearest hospital, where he received medical treatment for crush injuries to his vertebrae and pelvic region.
Lessons learnt:
- The area around moving machinery should be securely guarded to prevent such accidents;
- Personnel should never enter or remain alone in any unmanned machinery space unless they have been advised by a responsible person/control station/bridge of their intentions;
- Warning notices directing the crew’s attention to the likelihood of machinery suddenly starting up and moving should be displayed at the entrance of the space;
- The Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen (COSWP) recommends the use of a permit-to-work (PTW) for appropriate tasks. A PTW might have prevented this accident.
- During manoeuvring, the steering gear movements can be erratic and sudden. Thus it is better to clean the steering gear spaces when the vessel is at sea (Bridge to be notified about the cleaning schedule, such that the duty officer can be aware of).
- It is also recommended to have two people at any work spot where there is a danger spotted.
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Source: MAIB UK
