Galley equipment broke free of fastenings during severe weather
- Safety Flash
- Published on 12 March 2007
- Generated on 20 December 2025
- IMCA SF 02/07
- 1 minute read
A Member has reported an incident which occurred during a severe storm, whereby a grill fryer in the galley broke loose from its floor mountings and toppled over.
A steward working in the vicinity had a narrow escape when the grill fryer just missed him. There were no injuries.
grill fryer toppled over on floor of galley
Actions
The company took the following immediate actions:
- The galley was evacuated and the bridge was informed.
- An electrician was called to isolate the grill fryer.
- Following electrical isolation, the grill fryer was made safe by temporary sea-fastening until the weather abated and permanent repairs could be made.
During subsequent investigation, it was discovered that the grill fryer had been very poorly connected to the galley floor during the construction of the vessel. The securing bolts had only been screwed into the tiles and not into the steel of the deck.
The vessel crew subsequently checked all other galley appliances and found that they were all securely bolted to the floor. Once the weather had abated, the crew reinstalled the grill-fryer, ensuring that it was securely mounted on the floor.
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.