When a tween-deck pontoon cover of a cargo hold was lifted to prepare for loading, an AB standing high on the main deck was pulled inboard by a control lanyard, subsequently falling into the cargo hold through the hatch opening. Hong Kong MARDEP shared lessons learned from the incident.
The incident
In preparation for loading a cargo hold of a Hong Kong-registered general cargo ship, the tween-deck pontoon covers of the cargo hold had to be lifted in advance. An AB was tasked to hold a pontoon cover control lanyard in order to control the movement of the pontoon cover during lifting.
During the lifting operation, the AB was standing on top of a hoisting spreader, which was temporarily laid on the starboard main deck, being close to and level with the cargo hold hatch opening.
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When the first pontoon cover was lifted, the vessel rolled suddenly. Under the movement of the vessel and the suspended pontoon cover, the AB was moved inboard by force towards the cargo hold hatch opening.
After hearing a yell and a thump sound, the other crew members found the AB lying on the bottom plate of the cargo hold. The AB was declared dead by the shore medical brigade on the same day.
Findings
The investigation revealed that the lifting operation carried out in an unsafe manner with poor supervision was the main contributory factor of the accident.
The investigation also identified that the AB probably lacked situation awareness and failed in releasing the control lanyard or keeping his body clear of it, thus resulting in his fatal falling from height when he was subjected to a pulling force.
Lessons learned
In order to avoid recurrence of similar accidents in the future, the masters, officers and crew of vessels should:
- always conduct a full risk assessment to identify potential risks including dangerous locations for personnel, implementation of control measures to minimize the risks before lifting, and keeping the lifting operation under constant supervision; and
- heighten safety awareness to stay alert to the risk of falling from height in lifting operation, including releasing the control lanyard in time and keeping the body clear of the control lanyard.
