Near-miss: Cable reel deck cargo broke loose

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 25 June 2012
  • Generated on 4 June 2026
  • IMCA SF 06/12
  • 1 minute read

The Nautical Institute (NI) has published the following safety flash regarding an incident in which a wooden cable reel, weighing about 11 tonnes, broke loose in heavy seas when a chain link parted.

Through swift action on the part of the master and the crew, the reel was secured and was not lost.

The report can be downloaded here.

Latest Safety Flashes:

Three crane incidents

A member reports three separate but related crane incidents involving cranes.

Read more
Finger trapped and injured while working on heavy equipment

A third-party technician suffered a pinch injury to the right index finger.

Read more
Machinery damaged through improper maintenance technique

During an audit on an offshore vessel it was observed that the fuel oil purifier failed to self-discharge.

Read more
Gangway damaged after unauthorised re-installation

During vessel position adjustments, an unattended gangway was caught between berth and vessel, and damaged.

Read more
Some positive findings

Controlled Contractor Induction Process, Effective Gangway Induction and Documentation Control, and Safe Positioning and Good Communication During Lifting Operations.

Read more

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.