LTI: Tugger winch incident (MSF)
- Safety Flash
- Published on 2 June 2017
- Generated on 16 October 2025
- IMCA SF 13/17
- 1 minute read
The Marine Safety Forum (MSF) has issued Safety Alert 17-01 about an incident in which an Able Seaman's foot was crushed while operating the tugger winch.
What happened?
After completing loading operations on a platform supply vessel, the deck crew was securing the cargo for sea with assistance from the tugger winch.
The AB who was operating the tugger winch was well experienced and had carried out this operation many times. The AB stood at the tugger winch with his right foot resting on the winch support plate and started heaving up the wire using the control handle which was located above the winch.
As the winch barrel rotated, the wire securing bar trapped the AB’s foot between the winch support plate and the rotating barrel crushing his foot as it rotated.
Actions to prevent recurrence?
Following the incident, a protective frame was built around the tugger winch to prevent a similar incident from happening again.
- Could this occur on your vessel?
- Are your winches and rotating machinery suitably protected?
Related safety flashes
-
IMCA SF 18/14
25 November 2014
-
IMCA SF 03/00
1 July 2000
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