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What happened?
After completing a task, a dive team (2 divers, 2 tenders and supervisor) were recovering tools and rigging them to surface.
Divers’ umbilicals were briefly secured to a railing while recovering and passing the tools to tenders.
While looking for tools on the seabed, diver’s 1 excess (untendered) umbilical drifted into a seawater intake channel and laid against the screen (see image).
Automated bar started and the umbilical became trapped.
Supervisor immediately used the rotating bar emergency stop button. Diver 1 transferred onto their bailout.
Bar screen was manually turned in reverse to free Diver 1’s umbilical.
Band screen direction was manually reversed before both divers returned to surface. Diving operations were suspended.
Equipment was damaged (small hole in the main airline approximately 11m/36ft from the helmet and cut damage on communications cable).
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Why did it happen?
Bar screens on the seawater intakes were not isolated before diving operation started.
Divers did not have adequate oversight or supervision.
- Divers’ umbilicals were tied off on the railing and were not being actively tendered (tenders were onsite but engaged in other activities).
Diver 1 failed to monitor their umbilical slack whilst they were engaged in recovering tools.
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What did they learn?
Ensure appropriate dive plan, method statement and work permits are in place and include:
- umbilical management
- isolation of sea water intakes/band screens
- risk assessments
- hazards of routine activities and complacency
Thoroughly review risk assessments for diving activities. Ensure mitigation measures are in place for all identified risks.
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Ask yourself or your crew
What should they have done differently?
What should you look out for when recovering tools/equipment from the seabed?
What other hazards are there in your diving operations?
How do you know that all risks associated with today’s diving activity have been considered and mitigated?
How do you stop yourself from being complacent?
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Published on 14/01/21
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A dive team were recovering tools and rigging to the surface when a diver’s umbilical got trapped in the seawater intake. After divers returned to the surface uninjured, diving operations were suspended.
