Crew member overboard during mooring

What happened?

A workboat was engaged in mooring operations for a routine departure. The order was given from the bridge to start singling up the mooring lines.

The first headline was removed and a crew member crossed the gangway to remove the stern line.

The vessel drifted slightly away from the quay due to wind, and the gangway fell between the quay and the vessel while the crew member was crossing it.

The crewmember who fell overboard was uninjured and was able to climb a quayside ladder.

After a safety stop and briefing, the crew member decided to continue working that day.

Mooring plan showing the sequence for removing lines and the gangway.

Why did it happen?

The gangway was not removed before the mooring operation started, which did not comply with company procedures. However, the procedure was signed off by the vessel master.

There was a failure to prepare for, avoid, notice and correct a potentially hazardous situation while the vessel was drifting away from the quayside during the mooring operation.

The master was using the bow thrusters, but there was insufficient power to keep the vessel pushed towards the quay.

The crew members on deck did not observe the hazardous situation and stop the operation.

Gangway before the mooring operation started.

What did they learn?

Follow procedures. In this case, remove the gangway before starting the mooring operation.

Review the mooring arrangement on board and consider whether it is possible to remove the need for moving between the vessel and quay, for example by using fixed mooring lines, linespeople or doubled mooring lines.

Discuss the mooring plan in a toolbox talk with all crew involved before operation.

Crew member and gangway falling, with the crew member’s white helmet showing.

Ask yourself or your crew

What are the critical parts of the mooring procedure, and how do we properly prepare the mooring operation?

The departure checklist was signed by the master, but does the master have responsibility to override company procedure?

What level of focus is required after giving an order to start a job, and how do you ensure the correct level of attention by everyone involved in the task?

How are we working to promote a stop-work policy on board?

Have you followed the relevant G+ Lifesaving Rule: “Only transfer from a vessel when you are ready and permission is given”?

G+ lifesaving rule graphic for safe vessel transfer.

What happened?

A workboat was engaged in mooring operations for a routine departure. The order was given from the bridge to start singling up the mooring lines.
The first headline was removed and a crew member crossed the gangway to remove the stern line.
The vessel drifted slightly away from the quay due to wind, and the gangway fell between the quay and the vessel while the crew member was crossing it.
The crewmember who fell overboard was uninjured and was able to climb a quayside ladder.
After a safety stop and briefing, the crew member decided to continue working that day.
Why did it happen?

The gangway was not removed before the mooring operation started, which did not comply with company procedures. However, the procedure was signed off by the vessel master.
There was a failure to prepare for, avoid, notice and correct a potentially hazardous situation while the vessel was drifting away from the quayside during the mooring operation.
The master was using the bow thrusters, but there was insufficient power to keep the vessel pushed towards the quay.
The crew members on deck did not observe the hazardous situation and stop the operation.
What did they learn?

Follow procedures. In this case, remove the gangway before starting the mooring operation.
Review the mooring arrangement on board and consider whether it is possible to remove the need for moving between the vessel and quay, for example by using fixed mooring lines, linespeople or doubled mooring lines.
Discuss the mooring plan in a toolbox talk with all crew involved before operation.
Ask yourself or your crew

What are the critical parts of the mooring procedure, and how do we properly prepare the mooring operation?
The departure checklist was signed by the master, but does the master have responsibility to override company procedure?
What level of focus is required after giving an order to start a job, and how do you ensure the correct level of attention by everyone involved in the task?
How are we working to promote a stop-work policy on board?
Have you followed the relevant G+ Lifesaving Rule: “Only transfer from a vessel when you are ready and permission is given”?