Broken Chinese Finger
- Safety Flash
- Published on 14 July 2022
- Generated on 24 August 2025
- IMCA SF 17/22
- 1 minute read
Chinese Finger broke, resulting in the auxiliary hoist wire falling down into the cargo hold.
What happened
During a reeving operation of the forward crane auxiliary hoist, there was a failure of a “Chinese Finger” between the messenger wire and auxiliary hoist wire. About 6m before reaching the trolley sheave, the Chinese Finger broke, resulting in the auxiliary hoist wire falling down into the cargo hold. The messenger wire fell on the main deck below the crane trolley.
Photos
Broken messenger & auxiliary hoist wire
Close-up of broken Chinese Finger
What went right?
No-one was nearby where anything landed. There were no injuries.
What went wrong?
- The Chinese Finger parted due to direct contact between the sharp edge of the Auxiliary Hoist Wire and the Chinese Finger itself.
- The Chinese Finger could not withstand the applied tension endured during the reeving works.
- The point of contact between the Auxiliary hoist wire and Chinese Finger was too sharp resulting in a point load.
- The Auxiliary hoist dead-end was not tapered and by this created a sharp edge at the extreme end of the wire.
- There was a lack of awareness of this aspect of the use of the Chinese Finger.
Related Safety Flashes
-
IMCA SF 07/21
4 March 2021
-
IMCA SF 05/21
11 February 2021
-
IMCA SF 12/01
2 October 2001
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.