The Marine Safety Forum draws lessons learned from an incident where a crew member sustained a serious injury during a friendly arm-wrestling match.
A crew member had to be medevac’d off the vessel after sustaining a broken arm during a friendly arm-wrestling competition with a fellow crew member which resulted in the individual being off work for 3 to 4 months. Although both participants viewed the activity as harmless and friendly banter, the unexpected injury required immediate medical attention. Unfortunately, adverse weather conditions delayed the medevac, postponing the injured crew member’s evacuation until the following day.
Key takeaways from the incident
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Unexpected Consequences of Physical Activities: Despite its friendly nature, this competitive activity resulted in a significant injury requiring prolonged recovery at home.
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Operational Challenges of Isolated Environments: The delayed medevac due to adverse weather conditions underscores the limitations of providing timely emergency care onboard.
Lessons learned
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Refrain from high-risk recreational activities: Do not engage in physical competitive contact activities such as arm wrestling or other actions that carry a risk of injury.
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Promote safer recreational practices: Engage in alternative, low-risk activities that support camaraderie without compromising personal safety.
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Crew members to think critically about the potential outcomes of their actions, both on and off duty.
This incident highlights the importance of prioritising safety in all aspects of life onboard to ensure crew well-being and a safe working environment.
