Near-miss: Loose life jackets caused man overboard (MOB) alert
- Safety Flash
- Published on 14 July 2014
- Generated on 30 August 2025
- IMCA SF 12/14
- 2 minute read
A Member has reported an incident in which a man overboard alert was caused on a vessel when life jackets were spotted floating in the sea.
What happened?
The duty officer sighting life jackets floating in the water, called the master, who then called the nearby floating production storage and offloading unit (FPSO) and asked if there had been any reports of man overboard or similar distress. There was no such emergency.
The life jackets were recovered, whereupon it was discovered that they came from the vessel itself. Five empty life jackets were recovered. An inventory of on-board life jackets was made and it was found that the five jackets came from a storage box located near the muster station. Owing to gusting winds, the lid of the box had been blown open.
Lessons learnt:
Members are reminded to ensure that objects on the open deck – particularly boxes or storage containers – are properly secured against the effects of heavy seas causing movement of the vessel, and against all possible winds, including the effects of helicopters. At the same time, it is important to ensure that life-jackets and other emergency equipment remain available and easy for crew to access in the event of a genuine emergency.
Related safety flashes
-
IMCA SF 08/14
4 June 2014
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.