Lessons learned: Uncertified lifting gear in use

The incident

A number of shackles and other lifting equipment were observed in use onboard a vessel with no certification or inspection reports available.

Some equipment was color-coded by the crew and deemed as being in good condition; other equipment was not included in the vessel lifting gear register, nor was it color coded.

Further investigation revealed that lifting equipment had been left onboard and not removed after the end of the previous project, on which client-supplied lifting equipment was used.

Probable cause

• Company lifting equipment inspection processes were not followed: “Authorized competent person to conduct the lifting gear inspection process on a 6 monthly basis with the further issue of inspection report”;
• Client-supplied lifting gear was not removed from the vessel, nor quarantined;
• This same equipment was not presented to the vessel lifting gear inspection onboard,  conducted by the lifting inspection contractor;
• There was a lack of awareness of both relevant lifting equipment regulations and local and corporate safety management system standards.

Lessons learned

• An overall check of the lifting gear and relevant equipment was initiated and all identified non-compliant equipment was quarantined;
• There should be no use of lifting equipment unless it has been thoroughly examined, tested, and certified;
• Color coding of lifting gear or equipment should not be applied by the crew without there being a relevant certificate or inspection report available.
• All lifting equipment available on board is to be presented during testing and examination provided by the competent authorized party.