Positive: Master stopped unsafe fuel transfer whilst vessel alongside rig
- Safety Flash
- Published on 13 November 2023
- Generated on 15 August 2025
- IMCA SF 26/23
- 1 minute read
During fuel transfer operations alongside a semi-submersible rig, the officer on watch on the supply vessel PSV observed welding work being undertaken on the deck of the rig.
What happened?
The vessel bridge immediately communicated this information to the rig control room using VHF, challenging why bunkering and hot work activities were being carried out simultaneously.
Stop Work authority was applied; the vessel stopped fuel transfer.
What went right?
The vessel bridge team immediately intervened and challenged the unsafe condition of hot work (potential fire risk) taking place in close proximity to fuel transfer.
The unsafe condition was reported immediately to the client and to company management.
The client’s rig management team positively recognised the vessel’s intervention and initiated an investigation of failure of communication to prevent re-occurrences.
PSV alongside semi-submersible rig, observes hot work being conducted while fuel transfer operation in progress
Hot work observed by crew (orange figure on deck, circled)
What went wrong?
- That hot work was taking place, was not communicated to vessel.
- Confirmation by the rig that SIMOPs were occurring, was a mandatory part of the Safety Zone checklist communication process.
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