Near Miss – Damaged Rig Hose

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 31 August 2021
  • Generated on 2 November 2025
  • IMCA SF 24/21
  • 1 minute read

What happened?

A vessel was engaged in routine operations receiving contaminated oil-based mud from a rig. Upon disconnecting the rig hose and vessel side coupling it was discovered that the inner rubber lining of the rig hose had peeled out and got caught at the junction of the connection.

It was determined that should the blockage have prevented the flow of oil-based mud it could have resulted in a significant environmental incident as a result of hose failure due to back pressure.

inner rubber lining of rig hose

inner rubber lining of rig hose

rig hose

rig hose

What was the cause?

Rig side hose inner lining parted from sheath and got caught between connections.

Actions

  • Ensure that hoses are in good condition, properly certified, and in compliance with required standards, before use.

  • Conduct a visual check on hoses before use.

  • Remember that anyone can enact stop work authority if they see something unsafe.

Latest Safety Flashes:

Injury after fall from vertical ladder

Two crew members were performing routine engine room fire watch and thruster space rounds checking oil pressure and temperature checks, when one of them was injured falling off a vertical ladder.

Read more
LTI: serious injury to thumb when pipe fell during maintenance

A 2nd engineer on a vessel suffered a serious injury to the left thumb whilst dismantling a grey water pipe.

Read more
MSF: Burn to arm from contact with tumble dryer

The Marine Safety Forum (MSF) has published Safety Alert 25-13 relating to a crew member burning themselves on a tumble dryer.

Read more
Japan Transport Safety Board: two confined space fatalities

The Japan Transport Safety Board has published report MA2025-4 into a fatal incident which occurred in May 2024 on a bulk carrier.

Read more
On a more positive note…

A member reports a number of positive and encouraging trends following vessel visits across the fleet.

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.