Dead man anchor supplied unfit for purpose
- Safety Flash
- Published on 1 October 2001
- Generated on 22 November 2025
- IMCA SF 11/01
- 2 minute read
A clump weight was sent to a Member’s dive ship with the intention of it being used as a dead man anchor (DMA).
What happened?
The offshore manager correctly rejected the weight as not being fit for purpose for diving works on the grounds that it was unstable because of the limited steel base of the weight, in relation to its height.
Our Member concluded:
This type of weight or ‘pill’ is part of a much bigger 50 tonne DMA, which is used for wire initiation. Its main frame holds four pills and is lowered to the seabed empty; thereafter each 11 tonne pill is inserted into the main frame. The steel frame on the bottom of each single pill is used for transportation purpose only and is not intended to act as sub-sea stability for the weight itself, which is lifted from the transport frame before being deployed on the sea bed.
The Member advises that under no circumstances should this type of weight or other types which have an inadequate base size to height ratio, be used as a DMA; and that inspection of equipment to ensure its fitness for purpose is essential during the planning phase of a project.
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.