MSF: Daughter craft man overboard incident

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 16 July 2015
  • Generated on 2 October 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:

Hydraulic oil leak detected below moonpool

A hydraulic oil leak was identified below the moonpool after the worktable doors were opened.

Read more
Dropped scaffold board (kickplate) – SIF near miss

A scaffolding kickboard was accidentally dropped falling from a height of 6.5 metres to the main deck.

Read more
H₂S detected on deck

During vessel transit back to port, Hydrogen Sulphide (H₂S) was detected in the open space on the main deck.

Read more
Restoration and verification after maintenance

A missing flooring panel was identified beneath a 415V bow thruster electrical motor cabinet.

Read more
Vessel contact during materiel transfer in adverse weather

One vessel lost heading and position control because of the strong winds and swell, pushing it toward another.

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.