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Near-miss: Potential fall from height during launch of rescue craft

A member has reported a potential near miss incident in which there could have been a fall from height during launch of rescue craft. During annual inspection of the rescue craft on a vessel, it was noticed that to secure and launch the rescue craft a crew member had to go around the rescue boat and stand outboard of it in an exposed place. There was no barrier in place to prevent a crew member carrying out this task falling from height.

Safety chains installed
Safety chains installed
Different vessel in fleet without safety chains installed
Different vessel in fleet without safety chains installed

The crew reported this as a near miss and the short term solution will be to wear a safety harness when launching and securing the rescue craft. Arrangements were made to fabricate and fit a chain rail and stanchion to prevent recurrence.

Members may wish to refer to the following similar incidents (key words: rail, missing):


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