The Swedish P&I Club issued its Monthly Safety Scenario for May 2016 regarding a hurt by twist lock from a container. The Swedish Club publishes on a monthly basis a new “Monthly Safety Scenario” (MSS) to assist owners in their efforts of complying with the maritime regulations.
The container vessel was berthed port side alongside at an Asian port and the cargo operation had started shortly after arrival. The weather was good, clear and calm.
The Chief Officer was in charge of the cargo operation. The 2nd and 3rd officers were working 6-on 6-off watches, one AB assisted in the cargo operation and another AB had ISPS duty on the gangway.
The loading plan was presented to the Chief Officer by the terminal supervisor and two gantry cranes were planned to assist. The chief officer presented the lashing plan to the terminal supervisor.
During the operation, stevedores working at the front and end of the container fitted twist locks to the container’s corners before it was loaded onboard the vessel. When in position the crane operator adjusted the alignment before lowering the container into position. The twist locks automatically locked onto the container below.
Onboard the vessel two stevedores were attaching lashings to containers and were standing underneath the containers as they were being loaded.
At the same time as the 2nd and 3rd officer did the handover of the cargo watch, they heard a scream. The officers could see a stevedore lying on one of the hatch covers. They quickly gave the injured stevedore first aid and raised the alarm.
The 2nd officer ran to the ship’s hospital and picked up a stretcher and the master informed the terminal about the accident.
The stevedore was conscious and had a gash on his head. Lying close to him was a twist lock and his safety helmet which was not broken but had scratch marks on it.
About ten minutes later the terminal’s own emergency response team arrived and gave the stevedore first aid while waiting for an ambulance which arrived shortly afterwards. The stevedore was taken to hospital.
A missing twist lock could be seen from the container which the stevedores had been underneath.
Consequences
The twist lock had dropped from a height of about eight meters. The twist lock had not been properly fitted by the stevedores working shoreside. This caused the twist lock to dislodge from its corner fitting and fall onto the stevedore.
The Club advises important issues for discussion and experience feedback such as :
- What is the duty officer supposed to do if crew or stevedores are standing under moving cargo?
- What are the procedures during a cargo operation and when standing close to moving cargo?
- Does the Chief Officer discuss the cargo operation with the stevedores before the operation begins?
Source & Image Credit: The Swedish P&I Club
