Mars Reports 2013
The Nautical Institute has issued Mars Report No 57 the following accident:
As the vessel encountered force 9 winds with a 6 metre head sea, it was discovered that nylon mooring lines on the aft deck were becoming unsecured. These lines represented a danger to the ship if they were to be washed overboard since nylon lines will sink and could entangle the propellor.
The plan was for two crew to access the aft deck, each wearing a lifejacket and a safety harness. One end of a fire-fighter’s lifeline was attached to the safety harness securing ring and the other secured to a handrail on the external stairway platforms. It was intended that any slack in the lifelines would be manually taken up by other crew positioned on these stairway platforms.
As the two crew began their work on the aft mooring deck a large wave was shipped, the force of which washed them overboard and caused the safety crew to release their grip on the lifelines. As the two crew were washed away, their lifelines parted.
The same wave crossed the first deck stairway platform, forcing one crew member to the deck and causing another’s lifejacket to inflate. Despite the best efforts of the vessel and search and rescue (SAR) services, the two men could not be recovered.
Lessons learned
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View more information and relevant photos of the accident by clicking at Mars Report No.57 – Crew washed overboard issued by the Nautical Institute