Painter line snapped and hit crew member in the face

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 24 May 2023
  • Generated on 11 November 2026
  • IMCA SF 13/23
  • 1 minute read

A painter line snapped during towing operations; the flying end struck a worker in the face and destroyed his safety glasses

What happened?

A painter line snapped during towing operations, and the flying end struck a worker in the face.

The worker was wearing full PPE (helmet and safety glasses) and had it not been for the helmet and safety glasses there could have been a more serious injury.

The safety glasses were destroyed.

A painter line snapped during towing operations, and the flying end struck a worker in the face. The worker was wearing full PPE (helmet and safety glasses) and had it not been for the helmet and safety glasses there could have been a more serious injury. The safety glasses were destroyed.

What went wrong?

Investigation of this incident is ongoing. Our member notes that findings will be shared in due course.

This bulletin is intended to RE-MIND us of the importance of Personal Protective Equipment.

Members may wish to refer to:

  • IMCA HSS038 - Mooring incidents

  • the following IMCA Lline of fire videos:

Latest Safety Flashes:

Cyber-attack on vessel

An oil tanker suffered a cybersecurity incident.

Read more
MAIB: Normalising of unsafe practice – fatal man overboard incident

MAIB have published Accident Investigation Report 16/2026 into a fatal man overboard incident on board a bulk carrier offshore Sweden.

Read more
Dust explosion in Bow thruster motor

Upon activation of the bow thruster, there was a loud explosion within the forward section of the workboat.

Read more
Dropped bulk bag during loading operations

A dropped object incident occurred during quayside lifting when a bulk bag failed due to incorrect loading.

Read more
Failure of sea-fastening on the leg of a jack-up barge

During a sea passage, prevailing sea conditions caused a jack-up barge to experience rolling and pitching motions.

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.