What happened? During a routine vessel inspection, crew were observed using a grinder with a selector switch as opposed to a paddle switch, which was contrary to procedures and communication […]
Safety Flashes
IMCA safety flashes disseminate important information on incidents and potential hazards and the lessons learnt from them that can help prevent incidents occurring elsewhere in the industry.
Individual safety events are available individually online, tagged and searchable, while the traditional PDF collections are also available for download.
Submit a Report
All members are encouraged to contribute relevant safety-related information – please visit our Safety Flash Reporting page for details on the submission process.
IMCA Contact
Nicholas Hough
Technical Adviser - HSSE and Offshore Survey
Contact
Safety Events
Fall of a suspended load on general cargo vessel ZEA Servant injuring two crew
What happened? The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published an Accident Investigation Report 11/2020 relating to an incident on the general cargo vessel ZEA Servant in Campbeltown, Scotland. […]
Provisions Crane damaged by Main Deck Crane
What happened? During vessel mobilization the boat cradle had to be shifted from centre of the main deck towards the starboard side closer to the accommodation. The Main Crane was […]
Near miss: Lever Hoist Failure
What happened? A lever hoist failed causing a load to descend to deck in an uncontrolled manner. The near miss incident occurred when a set of 1m trenching swords were […]
Near miss: Incorrectly set lifeboat hook
What happened? During a routine launch and recovery drill, the lifeboat crew became concerned that the forward hook was not engaging correctly despite the ‘padlock’ symbol indicating correct closure. With […]
Safe use of FIBC (Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container)
What happened? A FIBC (Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container) containing 36 sand bags weighing approx. 25kg each was being lifted from the quayside to the vessel. As the load was lifted […]
High potential incident: gantry hoist failure
What happened? An electrically powered gantry hoist failed whilst under load dropping cargo and lifting equipment to deck. The incident occurred during a lift of 500kg of palletised provisions onto […]
Basket snagged on ship’s structure
What happened? The Marine Safety Forum (MSF) has published Safety Alert 19-14 relating to an incident whereby a basket snagged on the ships structure causing damage to the vessel and […]
Wrapped cargo slipped during loading and fell
What happened? A large load weighing over six tonnes was dropped during loading operations. The item was a hot air duct. The centre of gravity (COG) of the load and […]
Failure of life raft securing strap
What happened? A life raft from the starboard forward life raft station made an unplanned deployment into the sea. The incident occurred in early afternoon with calm seas and clear […]
Raising awareness on safety barriers such as railings and gratings
What happened? The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB) of Singapore has released Safety Flyer 2019/02 entitled The importance of ensuring proper inspection and maintenance regime. It is intended raise awareness […]
Unsafe boarding during unmooring operation
What happened? A vessel was departing from port when crew found it necessary to remove the mooring lines from the shoreside bollards with no safe un-boarding/boarding arrangements in place – […]
Near miss – diving operations while alongside
What happened? A vessel main engine was started while the divers were in the water, and the engine was immediately shut down again by the bridge. The diver was able […]
UK HSE prosecution following 2011 fatal explosion in oil refinery
What happened? The UK HSE has prosecuted two companies after an explosion killed four workers and seriously injured another at an oil refinery in Pembrokeshire in 2011. Five workers were […]
UK HSE Investigation into Offshore Gas Explosion
What happened? The UK HSE has fined Marathon Oil UK LLC (Marathon) £1,160,000 following an investigation into a high-pressure gas release on the Brae Alpha offshore platform on 26 December […]
Dropped wooden block in conductor support frame
What happened? During a decommissioning project, a wooden wedge, weighing approximately 13 kg, dropped 6m, striking a rigger’s hard hat and shoulder on its way down. The rigger suffered minor […]
Routine test of lifeboat launch results in fatalities
What happened? On the Auger platform in the Gulf of Mexico during routine testing, a lifeboat fell into the sea with two persons on-board. Both were fatally injured. The […]
Seawater entering cabin caused electrical fault
What happened? During vessel operations, a porthole in a passenger’s cabin was left untightened and slightly ajar. This allowed for seawater to enter the cabin and seep into the electrical […]
Mattress beam landed very close to divers
What happened? During subsea lifting operations with divers in the water, a large mattress lifting beam was lowered inappropriately close to the divers. The two saturation divers were deployed on […]
Man overboard fatality
What happened? The US Coast Guard (USCG) has published Safety Alert 05-19 relating to a man overboard fatality. The incident occurred when a very large (330m) container ship arrived in […]
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