- Enter the IMCA Awards 2024: We\'re looking for outstanding Safety, Sustainability, and GHG projects.
- IP Code: Mandatory Code enters into force on 1 July. Make sure your company is up to speed with the changes.
- Early Bird tickets available for the IMCA Global Summit 2024. 3-4 December, Utrecht, Netherlands. Members can save £400.
- Discover how we are helping Members reduce emissions: Explore the ProjectGHG hub now.
- Now booking. Join the Lifting and Rigging community at our Technical Seminar in Amsterdam. Thursday 12 September 2024
- Now booking. Underwater Ship Husbandry Seminar. 10 October 2024, Singapore.
Near miss: uncontrolled movement of gangway
What happened?
A vessel gangway moved in an unplanned way and could have been lost overboard. The incident occurred when the starboard gangway was under maintenance; the upper part of the turning platform had been removed earlier for maintenance. As a result, the gangway ladder was not connected to the turning platform. The ladder was secured with bolts.
In order to repair a corroded part of the fixed gangway platform, a welder secured the forward part of the gangway with rope. Then he loosened the securing bolts and gave a little slack on the gangway wire.
At that moment, the forward rope slipped off and the forward tip of gangway fell 2-3m from where it was secured. The aft tip of the gangway ladder was hanging by the gangway wire and securing rope. The forward part of the ladder was approx. 2-3m lower. The gangway wire and securing ropes on the aft part prevented the gangway from further falling over to the side.
Other crew immediately brought chain blocks and other equipment to secure and recover gangway ladder back in to the place.
What went wrong?
What ought to have been simple, straightforward and safe maintenance turned into a near miss. Two crew members were busy with the task and neither of them thought that anything could go wrong.
What was the cause?
- Human error:
- inadequate attention to detail
- inadequate job preparation
- inadequate supervision.
What lessons were learned?
- Reiterate the importance of safety awareness at the highest level with each and every job – the lesson is that things can go wrong with the most straightforward and ‘routine’ jobs. Complacency is to be guarded against.
Members may wish to refer to:
Safety Event
Published: 1 July 2019
Download: 
IMCA SF 15/19
IMCA Safety Flashes
Submit a Report
IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of all. The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on Members sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Please consider adding [email protected] to your internal distribution list for safety alerts or manually submitting information on incidents you consider may be relevant. All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate.
IMCA’s store terms and conditions (https://www.imca-int.com/legal-notices/terms/) apply to all downloads from IMCA’s website, including this document.
IMCA makes every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained in the documents it publishes, but IMCA shall 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.