Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV) crew member snagged on tag line and lifted off feet

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 22 May 2024
  • Generated on 20 August 2025
  • IMCA SF 10/24
  • 2 minute read

CTV crew member was lifted off the deck after a tag line attached to the slings snagged or became entangled to his harness.

What happened?

After a routine lift had been landed over the stern to a CTV foredeck, the CTV crew member gave the signal to raise the crane hook. While the hook was being raised, he stepped forward to guide the slings clear of snagging points on the CTV. A tag line attached to the slings snagged or became entangled on carabiners connected to his harness, and he was lifted about 0.5m clear of the deck. The lift was quickly stopped by the banksman, and the crewman lowered back to the deck unharmed within a few seconds.

Crew member lifted

Hook position on the worker’s harness before entanglement with tag line

Crew member lifted 1

Hook position on worker’s harness once the tag line got tangled

What went right and wrong?

  • Right – There was a quick response by the banksman and the crane operator.
  • Wrong – The crew member was in a hazardous place or position without appreciating the fact.

What are the lessons?

  • Think about where you’re standing on deck, particularly during mooring or lifting operations.
  • The CTV operator is reviewing procedures and discussing the incident with crews.

Latest Safety Flashes:

UK HSE: Motion Compensated Gangways Auto-Retraction

The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published Safety Notice ED03-2025

Read more
Brazil: diver permanently disabled after decompression illness

Conviction of diving company upheld as work accident suffered by a diver who lost strength in his upper limbs and the ability to move, requiring permanent use of a wheelchair.

Read more
Diver reports unwell post-dive: non-decompression illness

A diver experienced a dizzy spell about one hour after completing a diving operation

Read more
Shore-side crane boom collides with vessel mast

During shipyard lifting operations, the boom of a dock crane made contact with the vessel mast.

Read more
Injury sustained while operating steel lifting magnet

While preparing to transfer steel plates using a steel lifting magnet, a crew person was injured.

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.