What happened? During deck cargo loading operations from a vessel to an offshore platform, two pieces of unsecured timber were inadvertently lifted from the vessel onto the platform, on top […]
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
Consultant - Safety and Security
Contact
Safety Events
Inadequate handling and storage of potentially hazardous substances
What happened? Two drums with unknown chemicals were observed, floating in the sea. The crew retrieved these drums onto the vessel, but they were not stored safely. What went wrong? […]
LTI: Feet trapped in motion compensated telescopic gangway
What happened A crewman got his feet trapped under the sliding step of an Ampelmann motion compensated telescopic gangway. The incident occurred during the hours of darkness when he was […]
Potential engine room flooding: maintenance and equipment failure issues on a laid-up vessel
What happened? A seawater cooling line failed during planned maintenance on a vessel in “cold” lay-up. An engineer and an AB were conducting planned maintenance on vessels in “cold” lay-up. […]
Worker was injured by a fork lift truck
What happened? A worker wasstruck by a reversing fork lift truck which resulted in him fracturing his pelvis. His employer was prosecuted by the UK Health & Safety Executive (UK […]
Fatality during unpacking of heavy electrical panel equipment
What happened? Step Change UK report a fatal incident which occurred during the unpacking of heavy electrical equipment on an offshore production platform. A Variable Speed Drive electrical panel, weighing […]
High potential near miss: slip on tag line during crane operations
What happened? The Marine Safety Forum (MSF) reports an incident in which a crewman slipped and fell during lifting operations. The incident occurred when a vessel was preparing for cargo […]
Painter parted during small boat operations
What happened The Marine Safety Forum (MSF) reports an incident in which the forward painter quick release on a fast rescue craft (FRC) parted during recovery of the boat. Three […]
LTI: Finger injury during pilot ladder preparation
What happened? An Ordinary Seaman was injured while rigging the pilot ladder during arrival in port. In preparation before rigging the ladder, a floodlight was being lowered by the crewman. […]
Engine room emergency hatch damage
What happened? An anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessel, whilst towing a barge, encountered heavy seas (wind on the beam, 25 knots, waves, 2m) and began to roll heavily. In […]
Huge leak discovered in fresh water system
What happened? Daily soundings of fresh water tanks on a vessel revealed that they were emptying fast – 35 tonnes over 24 hours. A thorough check was conducted of all […]
Near-miss: Gas release from subsea pipeline
A member has reported a near miss incident in which there was an unplanned release of gas from a subsea pipeline, when divers were working nearby. A vessel was engaged […]
Lost time injury (LTI): DMA toppled over, injuring a diver
What happened? A DMA* toppled over, trapping a diver on the seabed and causing an injury to his leg. The incident occurred whilst a diving support vessel (DSV) was working […]
Man overboard fatality: Tragic consequences of failing to follow safety procedures
The United States Coastguard (USCG) has published Marine Safety Alert 01-17 relating to a man overboard fatality. Whilst a vessel was at anchor off the coast, a crewmember that could […]
Fatal fall from height during cargo operations – Johanna C
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published Report 1/2017 regarding a fatal fall from height during cargo operations. The Chief Officer on board the UK registered general cargo […]
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