IMCA Safety Flash 19-22
IMCA has published Safety Flash 19-22.
Click to download the IMCA Safety Flash 19-22 here.
Third-party truck not in appropriate or safe condition
During preparation for transporting pipe sections from port to a coating supplier’s facility, trucks to be used for the pipes were inspected and several defects identified. Trucks found in an unsafe condition were rejected by the company’s site representative.
Multiple trucks were deployed by the coating supplier. During preparation it had been identified by the project team that there was the potential risk for trucks to be provided in an unsafe condition. This was known from a previous project involving the same supplier at the same location.
Machinery breakdown leads to a collision
While proceeding to a berth, a tanker experienced main engine failure and collided with a barge berthed outboard of another vessel moored alongside a breakwater. The fully laden vessel (a tanker) entered the breakwater with a speed of 8.3 knots and was swinging to starboard when the main engine was stopped. The pilot ordered hard to port and dead slow ahead as the vessel continued to swing to starboard, but the main engine failed to respond.
Equipment found live: drawings incorrect for Lock-out/Tag-out
An electrical working foreman was “checking for dead” on control oil pump motor space heaters. It was discovered that the heaters were still live and energized. The heaters were not included in the Lock-out / Tag-out arrangements. After review of the drawings and the load centre breaker schedule, it was determined that the drawing and the breaker schedule were incorrect.
MSF: CO2 system left non-operational after servicing
The Marine Safety Forum has published Safety Alert 22-10 relating to an important safety system being left non-operational after it was serviced. The incident happened when a vessel had recently undergone a firefighting equipment survey. All equipment was fully inspected, and any faults or discrepancies were rectified. The Fixed CO2 system flexible hoses were renewed. To allow the survey to be conducted safely, safety pins had been put in place, while the outside contractors carried out their inspection. When finished these should have been removed, to make the system ready for activation – but they weren’t.
Accidental release of free-fall lifeboat
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has published safety investigation report M20P0353 relating to the accidental release of a free-fall lifeboat from a bulk carrier. The incident occurred in December 2020. The crew were carrying out a free‑fall lifeboat drill while the vessel was at anchor, when the wire rope slings holding the lifeboat failed and the boat fell approximately 14m to the water. There were two crew members in the lifeboat at the time. Both were seriously injured and were transferred to hospital.