Fast rescue craft incident
- Safety Flash
- Published on 1 July 2000
- Generated on 16 February 2026
- IMCA SF 03/00
- 1 minute read
We have been alerted to a major incident that occurred during a routine personnel transfer between an FPSO and its support vessel resulting in five persons being injured.
What happened?
A fast rescue craft was being used to carry out the personnel transfer. During the retrieval stage onto the FPSO, the lifting lug on the craft failed resulting in the craft and its occupants falling 11.5 metres. The lug and the transverse support frame were both made of aluminium. The reason for failure is currently under investigation.
Recommendations
The company involved has advised anyone operating a rescue craft or life boat to check the security of the lifting point(s) by appropriate means including, but not limited to visual inspection, non destructive testing and weight testing.
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