Lesson Learned: Why Safety Harness Design Matters

By
Mfame Editor
-
29

  • The chief officer (CO ) of the cargo vessel fell overboard.
  • The accident highlighted safety issues with equipment, including the use of single-hook safety harnesses, and inadequate risk assessment for tasks performed during voyages.
  • The company implemented extensive safety measures post-incident, including revising safety protocols and enhancing personal protective equipment (PPE).

Incident Overview

On 15 October 2021, the vessel , en route from Rostock, Germany, to Bekkeri, Estonia, experienced a fatal incident. The Chief Officer (CO) fell overboard while conducting maintenance on the ship’s free-fall lifeboat. Despite a swift rescue response involving a helicopter and ship maneuvers, the CO was pronounced dead due to drowning, reports MSIU.

Why It Happened

The accident occurred as the CO was shifting the hook of his safety harness to inspect a higher position on the lifeboat. The following factors contributed to the incident:

  1. Wet Surface: The lifeboat’s hull was slippery due to weather conditions.
  2. Single-Hook Safety Harness: The design required unhooking to shift positions, increasing the risk of losing balance.
  3. Vessel Movement: While the ship’s motion was not excessive, it could not be ruled out as a contributing factor.

Precautions Taken

Before the accident, the following safety measures were in place:

  1. Crew members used safety harnesses and helmets.
  2. Navigation checklists were completed to mitigate risks from adverse weather.
  3. The CO and team carried out routine maintenance tasks familiar to them.

Post-Incident Safety Measures

The company revised its Safety Management System (SMS) and implemented the following:

  1. Replaced single-hook safety harnesses with multi-hook models.
  2. Supplied vessels with inflatable lifejackets.
  3. Prohibited deck work during adverse weather unless necessary.
  4. Mandated detailed risk assessments for hazardous tasks, requiring approval from the master and company.
  5. Introduced comprehensive crew training on safety protocols and emergency actions.
  6. Instructed supervisors to maintain continuous oversight during risky tasks.

Recommendations

The safety actions taken by the company were deemed sufficient, and no further recommendations were issued by the Marine Safety Investigation Unit (MSIU).

Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?

It’s Free Click here to Subscribe!

Source: MSIU