Unsafe personnel transfer – man overboard
- Safety Flash
- Published on 15 October 2021
- Generated on 15 August 2025
- IMCA SF 28/21
- 1 minute read
After completing a standard diving activity for underwater hull cleaning on a pilot boat, the diver used the quayside fender to embark from the jetty to the pilot boat.
What happened?
In using the quayside fender to embark from the jetty, the diver's right foot slipped, resulting in an uncontrolled movement.
The Diving Supervisor, assisting his safe embarkation onboard the forward deck, also lost his balance, resulting in both of them jumping into the water away from the fender and vessel.
Their life-jackets inflated immediately, and both swam towards the quay ladder, located a few metres away. No injuries were sustained.
Quayside fender used to board the pilot boat
How not to do it: Demonstration of unsafe embarkation
What were the causes?
- There was no suitable means of access/egress to or from the pilot boat.
- Complacency – “task seen as routine”.
- They ought have stopped the job but they didn’t: Stop Work Authority was not exercised.
Actions
- Find a safe means of access/egress arrangements at temporary locations.
- Re-emphasise importance of Stop Work Authority as an obligation and responsibility.
Related Safety Flashes
-
IMCA SF 20/21
22 July 2021
-
-
IMCA SF 02/20
10 January 2020
-
-
IMCA SF 20/15
3 December 2015
-
IMCA SF 02/18
23 January 2018
-
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.