CHIRP Maritime has reported an incident where unsecured equipment in the accommodation area during rough weather created a hazardous working environment, potentially endangering the crew, passengers and vessel.
The incident
These unsecured appliances included galley freezers, galley ovens, and laundry washing machines. E.g., the galley freezers had locking bars for securing them, but this made them unusable in their secured state, and they weren’t directly attached to the vessel. The galley oven had no securing mechanism and needed a mop to keep it in place, which was unsafe and impractical.
More consideration was needed for designing and securing these appliances during installation, leading to problems when the vessel was at sea.
To fix this issue, the reporter suggested installing purpose-built securing arrangements during the next refit and for all future appliances. Given the vessel’s size and speed, the reporter was concerned that the crew was not adequately protected against the movement of the appliances during rough sea conditions.
CHIRP advocates for a holistic approach to addressing challenges posed by unsecured appliances in rough sea conditions. Central to this strategy is the commitment to stringent marine grade standards for all shipboard equipment within working areas. Installing secure locking or latching systems on appliances is crucial to preventing shifts during rough seas. Further, incorporating effective locking mechanisms for cupboard doors and utilising non-slip containers minimises accidents caused by shifting objects in heavy weather.
Repositioning appliances strategically to reduce exposure to rolling movements and using anti-slip materials underneath them offers additional strategies to enhance stability without compromising their functionality during adverse conditions. CHIRP underscores the importance of integrating a heavy weather checklist into the Safety Management System (SMS) and maintaining a register of moveable heavy objects, e.g., forklifts and loose furniture. These tools proactively manage challenges from heavy weather, ensuring a systematic and well-prepared response.
Regarding crew safety, CHIRP recommends establishing an alert system that notifies crew members when using appliances in adverse sea conditions becomes unsafe. Crew safety training plays a pivotal role, with clear guidelines emphasising the need to delay tasks during rough weather. Regular inspections by safety officers during normal operations and drydock/refit periods are deemed crucial to confirm the functionality of securing mechanisms, contributing to the reliability of safety measures over time.
Fostering a culture of hazard reporting is highlighted as equally important, encouraging the crew to identify and resolve issues related to appliance movement promptly. By prioritising crew safety through these measures, CHIRP aims to minimise potential risks and cultivate a safer working environment on board, ultimately contributing to an overall enhancement of the vessel’s design for crew safety.
Lessons learned
- Design- Equipment to be used on vessels which operate at sea in all weathers must be designed to allow effective securing of the equipment. Have you considered how effective your super yacht securing arrangements are?
- Situational Awareness- The new build team needs more understanding of the environment in which a super yacht operates and would appear oblivious to the environmental factors affecting the super yacht whilst at sea on passage. Does your new build team have the necessary experience to assess the risks for equipment placement and securing?
- Capability- Does the new build team have the necessary knowledge and experience to supervise and make changes to the installation if they find a potentially hazardous issue? Is this work outsourced to shipyard contractors?
- Local Practice- Ensure a standard unified approach to equipment design and physical security throughout the company. Management must oversee the new build process and ensure they have the right people for this skilled work.
