MSF: Daughter craft man overboard incident

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 16 July 2015
  • Generated on 23 July 2026
  • IMCA SF 10/15
  • 1 minute read

The Marine Safety Forum has published the following safety flash regarding a non-fatal man overboard incident. 

What happened?

A vessel was on location performing ‘routine’ duties. A Daughter Craft (DC) had been used for a drill and was in the process of being recovered when the boat man engaged in this work fell backwards into the water when the small boat jerked to starboard. He was recovered and was uninjured. No other party was injured during the incident.

The main conclusion drawn was that the boatman did not secure his safety harness to the harness point and did not convey this to the deck crew. Also, the deck crew lowered the davit wire without confirmation that the boatman was secure.

Causes: Failure of communication, failure to be aware of safety responsibilities, failure to use PPE appropriately.

Latest Safety Flashes:

MAIB: Catastrophic engine failure and subsequent fire

MAIB has published Accident Investigation Report 10/2026 into a catastrophic failure of a diesel generator engine on board the vessel Kommandor Susan.

Read more
BSEE: Compressed gas cylinder hazards

BSEE has published Safety Alert 516, relating to potential risks involving compressed gas cylinders.

Read more
MSF: dropped object inside vessel tank

MSF have published Safety Alert 26-05 relating to a tank cleaning machine coming lose and falling within a tank on a vessel.

Read more
Uncontrolled movement of cargo

During offshore cargo operations alongside a rig, a single pipe loaded on deck shifted due to vessel motion and swell conditions.

Read more
Positives – rubber seals on hatches, securing of shackle pins, fuel sample box

A Member reports a few positive findings.

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.