Transport Malta reports of a serious injury to a crew member, during crane operations in the port Santa Margherita Ligure.
The Incident
On January 11, 2021, the master of a general cargo hopper dredger became seriously injured in Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy while the vessel was engaged in crane operations during the discharge of a cargo of boulders.
The vessel’s crane was being used to transfer boulders from the cargo hold and place them in position at the breakwater. The master, who was on duty at the time, walked forward to check on some maintenance, which the crew had carried out earlier. On his way back to the
accommodation, he decided to check on the status of the cargo hold.
While checking on the cargo, the crane turned towards the breakwater and trapped the master in between the body of the crane and the hatch coaming. Consequently, the master sustained serious injuries to his torso.
Transport Malta’s Marine Safety Investigation Unit found that the master was trapped between the coaming and the body of the crane while he was looking inside the cargo hold, that he may have missed the SMS Manual prohibition of free access to the open deck during crane operations, that the ship’s leadership style contributed to an eroded communication structure, and that the master missed the markings indicating the crane’s swinging area.
Safety actions taken
Following the accident, the Company revised the HAZID document which identified potential major hazards associated with the operation of the vessel.
Recommendations
The company is recommended to:
- 02/2022_R1 Install physical barriers systems to all deck accesses and around the crane prior to the commencement of crane operations.
- 02/2022_R2 Ensure that joining officers do not find themselves in a situation where they are expected to assume responsibility without getting a detailed handover and prior knowledge of critical aspects of the ship’s operations.
- 02/2022_R3 Assess the risks related to access to the crane’s cabin from starboard side, taking into consideration the open cargo hold.
- 02/2022_R4 Ensure that crew employed on board, with special reference to officers, can communicate in English, and that all crew members can communicate in the determined working language.
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Source: Transport Malta
