MSF: dropped object near-misses
- Safety Flash
- Published on 5 February 2015
- Generated on 6 December 2025
- IMCA SF 02/15
- 1 minute read
The Marine Safety Forum has published two safety flashes (15-01 and 15-02) regarding a number of dropped object incidents.
In the first incident, a piece of timber which was approximately 300mm x 100mm, fell 15 metres from the crane jib support to a mezzanine deck area below. After an initial inspection, it was discovered that the dropped object was not a loose item that had been displaced but was in fact a section of the jib stowage arrangement, which had apparently split and come lose from the jib support arrangement. The incident occurred during very poor weather conditions which may have contributed to the incident.
In the second incident, a single whip line headache ball and hook assembly detached from the crane and landed on the top of the safe haven damaging the deck. Fortunately the deck crew were standing clear and were approximately 4 metres from the point of impact. Although shaken, there were no physical injuries. The assembly weighed 160 kg and fell approximately 50 metres giving an impact force of 784 kN, which would most certainly have resulted in a fatality had it struck a crew member.
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.