Management of simultaneous operations during demobilisation
- Safety Flash
- Published on 7 January 2008
- Generated on 22 April 2026
- IMCA SF 01/08
- 1 minute read
A Member has reported a serious incident onboard a barge during demobilisation in port.
What happened?
During the demobilisation, a member of the crew undertaking ‘routine’ disconnection of cables on deck was hit by a steel beam dislodged by operations that were taking place overhead on a higher deck. The steel beam was dislodged by an object being lifted. The person received very severe injuries resulting in a medical evacuation and long-term hospitalisation.
Our Member’s investigation noted the following:
- Owing to the layout of the site, the crane driver, banksman and rigger could not see the crew member working on the deck below.
- An unexplained sideways movement of the lifted object touched the beam, which had been removed from the structure and was not secured, causing it to fall on to the crew member eight metres below.
Recommendations
The company involved recommended that procedures for managing activities during demobilisation should properly specify:
- lines of communication
- planning
- risk assessments and hazard identification
- work force involvement
- management of change.
IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.
The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.
All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.
IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.
The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual's or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.
Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.