Crewman struck by sling during anchor handling operations
- Safety Flash
- Published on 2 October 2015
- Generated on 24 June 2025
- IMCA SF 14/15
- 1 minute read
An anchor had been transferred from one vessel to another.
What happened?
The crane operator slacked the sling so that it could be disconnected from the anchor. Two crewmen were walking towards the sling to disconnect it. As they were doing so, the stern of the vessel suddenly moved downwards caused by the moderate swell. As a result the attached sling was tightened very rapidly. The sling struck one of the crewmen against the upper part of his body pushing him and his colleague across the deck.
What went wrong?
- Adverse sea conditions. Sea conditions created a sudden big downward movement of the vessel.
- Lack of situational awareness/risk perception – the injured person proceeded too soon towards the sling, and might have avoided injury by waiting a moment to take time and assess the situation.
Lessons learnt
In this case the contractor changed procedures and required rigging crew to wear and use helmets with head-set communication to the bridge, providing better environmental awareness and support from the bridge in cases like this where alerts of extreme wave movements could be provided.
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.