Use of damaged electrical equipment by dock workers
- Safety Flash
- Published on 25 November 2021
- Generated on 21 February 2026
- IMCA SF 32/21
- 2 minute read
Third-party crew working on a vessel being demobilised were observed using damaged electrical equipment.
What happened?
Third-party welders were preparing to weld the anchor sea-fastening onto the main deck aft.
Vessel crew noticed that the electric cable of the welding machine was connected to the electric cord extension without a plug, and the cable cover was damaged.
The job was immediately stopped. The vessel ETO repaired the damaged wiring and installed an appropriate plug – illustrated in the third photograph on the right below.
What went right?
The crew of the vessel are to be commended for noticing the matter and for exercising their STOP WORK AUTHORITY.
What went wrong?
Our member notes that the third-party workers did not bring the proper tools for the job, nor did they carry out visual inspection of electrical equipment.
Lessons learned
IMCA notes that this incident occurred on a vessel in a port in an area of recent strong growth and emerging markets.
In addition to the electrical safety issues, there may be lessons to learn about control of sub-contractors and third-party crew, particularly at very busy times such as port calls and mobilisations.
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IMCA SF 26/21
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IMCA SF 24/21
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IMCA SF 24/21
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IMCA SF 10/21
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