Lessons learned: Fatality while rigging pilot ladder

Accidents

Lessons learned: Fatality while rigging pilot ladder

August 6, 2015

Mars Reports 2015 The Nautical Institute has issued a Mars Report as follows:The deck crew were preparing the starboard pilot boarding ladder in combination with the accommodation ladder due to the freeboard of 10.2 metres. Strong winds were blowing so the deck crew put their safety helmets away. They started to pay out and secure the pilot ladder to a height of one and a half metres above the water. After the pilot ladder was secured the crew lowered the accommodation ladder to about five metres below the main deck. An experienced ordinary seaman (OS) then went down the accommodation ladder in order to set the railings and the lower platform. He was wearing an inflatable life jacket (manual release) and had secured himself on a lifeline with safety harness. The pilot embarkation station was properly illuminated. At one point, the crew on deck realised something was wrong; they then saw the victim lying in the water still attached to the lifeline and obviously unconscious. The bridge was informed and a life buoy with safety line was thrown into the water.First attempts to pull the OS out of the water were unsuccessful due to the headway of the vessel and ...

Accidents

Lessons learned: Broken on the breakwater

bySAFETY4SEA Team

August 5, 2015

Mars Reports 2015 The Nautical Institute has issued a Mars Report as follows:A ro-ro passenger vessel was departing a regular scheduled port and was controlled by the Master from the port bridge wing during the backing and turning manoeuvre in the outer basin. During this time an officer and the helmsman were at the centre console. After the turn was completed and the vessel headed on the intended course of 051 degrees, the Master ordered the steering to be transferred to the centre console and for the helmsman to steer 051. The officer pressed the helm TAKE OVER button and confirmed; the helmsman then confirmed he had hand steering. Immediately thereafter the helmsman expressed doubt as to whether he had hand steering. The Master noticed the vessel was still turning to starboard and ordered port rudder. The helmsman confirmed his wheel had no effect and the officer tried pressing the TAKE OVER button once again, but to no apparent effect. The helm Non Follow Up button was then pushed but did not seem to affect steering, so the Master returned to the port bridge wing to try and regain control. This seemed to work and the Master also deployed a ...

Accidents