Mate Hit by Buoy – MAIB Investigation

UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) issues report of accident where the mate of mooring vessel 'Cameron' was seriously injured

The chief officer of the mooring vessel was seriously injured when he was crushed against a ‘mushroom’ air vent by a 6 tonne (t) navigation buoy which was being re-positioned on the working deck using the vessel’s crane. He suffered pelvic injuries and was hospitalized for almost a month.

The MAIB investigation identified that the chief officer had moved into a hazardous area, and that there was no person in charge, or overseeing the movement of the buoy.

The risks associated with moving the buoy had not been identified or assessed, and regulatory requirements regarding lifting operations were not fully met.

The accident occurred only 8 months after a crewman was fatally injured on board BMC’s landing craft Forth Guardsman. In view of the similarities between some of the contributing factors in the accidents on board Forth Guardsman and Cameron, a recommendation has been made to BMC aimed at improving the safety of deck operations on all of the company’s vessels.

The full report is available here.