Mars Reports 2015
The Nautical Institute has issued a Mars Report regardinga modified embarkation ladder hull magnetcausing concussion to a pilot.
While boarding a vessel a pilot suffered a concussion; a modified embarkation ladder hull magnet device disconnected from the ships hull and struck him on the head. Unfortunately, this was not an isolated incident. Incidents with injuries have occurred on other vessels at several different ports. In each of those instances the hull magnets had been modified prior to the accident. Moreover, in all cases, after restoring the hull magnets to their original design no further problems were experienced. Hull magnets are easy to operate devices and when two of them are positioned correctly they provide substantial holding force. The handle of the magnet is also a lever and enables easy release from the hull of the vessel.
In the incidents where the magnets unexpectedly detached from the hull, only one securing magnet was used, placed between the rails of the ladder and alterations that deviated from the manufacturers design had been made.
| Lessons Learned |
| Specialised embarkation equipment should be used as per manufacturers instructions and should never be modified other than under manufacturers specifications. Regular inspections of existing vessel boarding equipment should be carried out and any improper modifications returned to the manufacturers original design. |
Source: Nautical Institute
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The Mariners’ Alerting and Reporting Scheme (MARS) is primarily a confidential reporting system run by The Nautical Institute to allow full reporting of accidents (and near misses) without fear of identification or litigation. As a free service to the industry, MARS reports also regularly comprise alerts condensed from official industry sources, so that issues resulting from recent incidents can be efficiently relayed to the mariner on board. With access to the internet from vessels becoming more affordable, the MARS database is a valuable risk assessment, work planning, loss prevention tool and training aid for crew and management. MARS reports are held in a publicly-accessible database and can be accessed by clicking on the link below: Contact the Editor of MARS at[email protected] |
Above Mars Report is edited fromUS Coast Guard Safety Alert 14-14
