Man overboard from anchor handler tug

What happened

A sub-contracted anchor handling tug was performing grapnel run activities using a long chain as a grapnel. Whilst overboarding the chain, a crew member lost balance and fell overboard.

What went right

• The vessel crew’s MOB response was exemplary and swift. The person in the water was recovered to deck within three minutes using a nearby life buoy with rope;
• Because rescue equipment was readily available and because the crew had practiced MOB situations in drills, the crew member was recovered quickly and safely.

What went wrong

The first part of the chain was being over boarded using a hook with a T-bar across the top. When the chain started sliding overboard, the hook wasn’t released quickly enough and at the same time the T-bar caught on the life jacket worn by the crew member, causing him to lose balance and stumble. This ultimately led to the crew member falling overboard.

• After the incident the design of the hook was modified to prevent it from getting caught;
• Also, the overboarding process was changed to using the crane, eliminating the use of such a tool.

Lessons learned

• Do your drills, learn your skills! They may become necessary;
• Risk assessment: can we do a task in a smarter, safer way?  
• Manage sub-contractors and get involved in their work methods and risk assessments;
• Review all hand tools for potential snag points and correct such snag points (if the tool cannot be eliminated);
• Respect the identified no-go areas at vessel edges;
• Apply last minute risk assessment, considering:
  • yourself (is your life jacket belt tight enough?)
  • the tools you use (are there tool snag points?) and,
  • your position and your surroundings (are you in the line of fire or close to the edge?)

Members may wish to refer to:

• Two injuries [someone caught their sleeve on the latch of a door and was injured as a result]
• LTI: Hand injury resulting from clothing catching on door
• Fall from the quayside into water
• Near-miss: Drawstring on storm jacket nearly drawn into rotating equipment