Published on 03 Nov 2022
External incidents
Published on 03 Nov 2022
A monthly abandon ship drill was in progress on board a ship that was at anchorage awaiting berth. The master instructed the crew to launch the freefall lifeboat. While the master remained on the bridge, two navigating officers and eight crew started launching the boat.
The crew launched the empty lifeboat to the sea using the launching davit. After an in-water test, the crew hoisted the lifeboat up to the recovery position and hooked the the release system.
Navigation Officer A entered the lifeboat to reset the lifeboat release system from inside the boat. Navigation Officer B was taking photographs near the doorway in the bent-over posture.
When Navigation Officer A operated the release system and slightly inserted the safety pin to secure it, the hook got released suddenly. The lifeboat moved approximately 1.5 to 2.5 m downward on the guide rail. Navigation Officer B lost his balance and fell head-first to the deck that was about 6 m below.
He was transferred to a hospital by a coast guard helicopter. However, he was pronounced dead on arrival and the cause of death confirmed as brain contusion.
- Lack of risk assessment and risk awareness – Proper risk assessment was neither carried out nor hazards involved discussed with personnel carrying out the drill. Navigation Officer B was unaware of the risks involved in launching / recovery of freefall lifeboat.
- Lack of PPE – Navigation Officer B was taking photographs in a bent-over position at a height without using a safety harness.
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