Control
Pre-Use Checks
Checks confirming equipment condition before use.
Newest 100 Documents
All 462 in search- 202615 Jul
Allision of the rigid inflatable boat Peaky Blinder with a navigation beacon with the loss of 2 lives
Investigation of Peaky Blinder’s fatal allision with a navigation beacon in Portsmouth Harbour examines excessive speed, ineffective lookout and alcohol-related impairment. It discusses absent personal flotation devices, recreational boating alcohol regulation and harbour speed enforcement, with recommendations addressing statutory alcohol limits, public awareness and adherence to speed restrictions.
- 20261 Jul
Inspect A2B Systems and Wire Rope Terminations to Prevent Crane Hazards
A lift boat crane incident involved a detached anti–two-block weight, corroded wire rope and falling components. Recoiling rope struck a nearby diver, causing minor injuries. The alert recommends considering termination maintenance, pre-use and periodic inspections, adjusted replacement intervals in corrosive environments, and competence assurance under API RP 2D.
- 20261 Jul
Verify Riser Fin Retention Systems Before Prompts Riser-Handling Operations
Two thermoplastic fins detached during slick-riser handling, creating dropped-object near misses. Findings identified inadequate retention tension, omitted torque verification and 48-hour re-torque, deficient refurbishment and inconsistent checklists. BSEE recommends manufacturer-specified securing checks, design improvements, procedural discipline, vendor acceptance assurance and dropped-object risk assessment.
- 20266 Jun
Poorly Maintained Crane Components Result in Multiple Personnel Injured During Transfers
Two offshore personnel-basket transfer incidents involved uncontrolled crane auxiliary-line descents and injuries. Investigations identified uncorrected component deficiencies in one case and inadequate hoist brake adjustment in the other. The alert recommends considering timely maintenance, loaded brake checks, wire-rope fouling checks, stop-work interventions, clearer transfer communications and verified medical evacuation arrangements.
- 202628 Apr
Failure of moonpool railing system caused man overboard situation in moonpool
A degraded removable railing post failed when a crew member lost balance beside a moonpool. They caught a guidewire and were rescued with a boathook, sustaining a dislocated shoulder. The flash examines inspection omissions, unclear responsibilities and ineffective hazard follow-up, recommending secured barriers, preventive maintenance and pre-task assessment of barrier failure.
- 202628 Apr
Heaving line snap-back causes injury
A tensioned heaving line broke during berthing, causing quayside workers to fall. One suffered a head impact after an unsecured helmet chin strap allowed the helmet to shift. The flash identifies missing inspections, congestion and inadequate supervision, and recommends line checks, safer positioning and stopping unsafe work.
- 202627 Apr
Prevent Fires by Inspecting Cords, Plugs and Welding Leads Before Use
This alert reviews three incidents involving melting welding leads, flames at a cord connection and a tubing bender plug with a loose prong. It warns against applying water to potentially energised conductors and recommends that operators and contractors consider pre-use inspections, suitable electrical protection, hazard assessment and safety briefings.
- 202613 Feb
Positive: damage to Fast Rescue Craft davit wire rope caught before failure
Routine checks revealed a fracture at the socket termination of a fast rescue craft davit wire rope before failure occurred. An authorised service provider inspected and repaired the rope. The flash emphasises monthly maintenance, checks before every use, attention to load-bearing components and discussion of defects during crew safety meetings.
- 202613 Feb
Small engine room fire – flammable object ignited
A small flammable foreign object ignited during post-drydock engine load testing. The crew stopped the engine, isolated fuel and extinguished the fire; nobody was injured. The flash identifies poor housekeeping and absent post-maintenance checks, emphasising machinery-space cleanliness, checks before load testing and regular emergency drills.
- 20266 Feb
BSEE Safety Alert 514 - Verify Megger Testing and Termination Prep to Prevent Seawater Pump Motor Fires
A seawater pump motor fire followed termination repairs. Findings identified insulation testing at a lower voltage than required, resistance below the work-pack threshold and inadequate semiconductor-layer preparation. BSEE recommends considering adherence to repair instructions, verification of test arrangements and results, correctly rated testers and worker understanding of resistance units.
- 202615 Jan
Fatal injury to a deckhand following a chain failure on the scallop dredger Honeybourne III (PD905)
Investigation of a deckhand’s fatal injury aboard Honeybourne III after a quick-release chain failed and a towing block fell during fishing-gear retrieval. The report examines chain bending, wear, material properties, inspection competence and suspended-load exposure, supported by laboratory testing and finite element analysis. It records company actions and regulatory oversight deficiencies.
- 202612 Jan
NTSB: Engine room fire – put things back properly after maintenance
An IMCA flash summarises a fatal engine-room fire aboard a dredging vessel. NTSB attributed the probable cause to lubricating oil spraying from a generator and igniting off a nearby running engine after a plug was not reinstated. Lessons emphasise post-maintenance inspection, correct reassembly and local test starts where appropriate and practical.
- 2025Nov
PPE only works when you wear it correctly! — Process Safety Beacon, November 2025
This Beacon examines a California refinery release during pressure-gauge replacement, where ineffective isolation and absent respiratory protection increased harm from hydrogen sulphide exposure. It explains limitations of personal protective equipment and stresses task-specific procedural requirements, correct use, pre-use inspection and regular checks of condition and respirator cartridge expiry.
- 20252 Oct
Dropped object due to over-ridden limit switch
A vessel crane operator bypassed limit switches while raising the hook for an overboarding lift. A mini beacon struck the clump weight and fell to the deck; a restraint and sensor cable also parted. Nobody was injured. The flash examines knuckle-boom configuration, override decisions, safety-system verification and safer equipment design.
- 202517 Sep
SWL plate dropped from crane block
A safety flash describes a 0.9 kg SWL plate falling from an auxiliary hook block onto a vessel’s main deck, with its fall height unconfirmed. Suspected galvanic corrosion caused rivet failure. It highlights missed inspection hazards, undocumented fittings, checks of other plates and a brought-forward third-party DROPS inspection.
- 202511 Sep
BSEE Safety Alert 507 - Improper Use of Equipment and Tools Increases Risk of Fires and Explosions Offshore
BSEE identifies recurring offshore tool misuse involving live electrical circuits, explosive atmospheres and high-pressure or high-temperature systems. Cases include unsuitable hand tools and a plumber’s plug used during welding. Recommendations address competence evaluation, tool ratings and tracking, maintenance, pre-work audits, qualified inspections and authority to halt unsafe work.
- 20254 Sep
BSEE: Electromagnetic lifting device dropped steel plate
This safety flash summarises a BSEE incident in which a steel plate detached from a worn magnetic lifting device, fell approximately 1.2 m and injured two workers’ feet. It discusses inadequate task hazard analysis and stop-work culture, alongside recommendations for inspections, load testing, power stability and electromagnetic lifter operating procedures.
- 20254 Sep
MSF: Grease gun hand injury
A crew member suffered a grease injection injury through a glove while disconnecting a battery-powered grease gun hose during tensioner maintenance. The flash reports a malfunctioning pressure release valve and possible handling and training shortcomings. Lessons emphasise manufacturer instructions, pre-use hose and nipple inspections, suitable gloves and consideration of safer tools.
- 202531 Jul
Container door opened during transit
A workshop container door opened during road transport back to its supplier, allowing a 36 kg cable reel to fall onto the lorry. The driver stopped safely and secured the door with straps. The flash emphasises securing contents and doors, supplier requirements and pre-mobilisation inspections.
- 202520 Jun
BSEE Safety Alert 503 - Personnel Burned by Fire due to Improper Venting of Gas Starters on Engines
BSEE describes two flash fires during attempts to start gas engines driving pipeline pumps. Improperly secured or absent starter exhaust piping allowed gas to accumulate before backfires ignited it, burning workers. Recommendations address safe exhaust routing, component checks, training, startup and maintenance procedures, gas detectors and consideration of temporary fire watches.
- 202518 Jun
BSEE: Umbilical termination failure leads to dropped ROV
An ROV dropped to the seafloor during recovery when its umbilical parted at the cursor rail transition. Faulty resin casing and improperly arranged armoured strands compromised the attachment despite a previous successful pull test. BSEE recommends termination inspection procedures, re-termination training and pre-job connection checks. No personnel harm or seabed asset damage occurred.
- 20256 Jun
BSEE Safety Alert 500 - Dropped Steel Plate Due to Defective Lifting Device and Inadequate Hazard Analysis
A steel plate released from a worn magnetic lifter during drilling operations, falling approximately 47 inches onto two workers’ left feet. The alert identifies inadequate task hazard analysis and reluctance to stop work. Recommendations address lifting-device inspection, functional testing, safety communication, and electromagnet power stability and duty-cycle limits.
- 202516 May
MSF: Multiple LTIs - Vessel gangway fell from quay causing injuries
Five workers were injured when a container vessel’s gangway moved off the quay; one fell into the water. Tidal movement had positioned the gangway partly over a ladder void. The flash identifies absent supervision, slack hoist wires and faded markings, and presents suggestions on positioning, procedures, checks, signage and correct PPE use.
- 20254 Apr
BSEE Safety Alert 499 - Failed Umbilical Termination Results in Dropped Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)
An ROV dropped to the seafloor during recovery when its umbilical termination failed at a cursor transition point. Faulty resin and improperly positioned armoured strands were identified despite a previous successful pull test. BSEE recommends termination inspection procedures, training and pre-job connection checks. No personnel harm or seabed asset damage occurred.
- 2025Apr
CHIRP Superyacht FEEDBACK 9 (April 2025)
This superyacht incident digest examines a post-dry-dock fire, unsuitable crew accommodation during repairs, drug use, inadequate provision for working aloft, a falling crane hook, fatigued anchoring and unrecognised enclosed spaces. Commentary addresses safety culture, equipment readiness, familiarisation, design feedback and atmospheric testing.
- 20256 Mar
Divers helmet struck and damaged subsea by crane hook
A crane hook slipped from a pipe handling frame during subsea spool tie-in work in poor visibility, striking and irreparably damaging a diver’s reclaim helmet without injury. The flash identifies insufficient pennant length and discusses safe separation, position monitoring, reinforced communication, rigging inspections and revised task hazard analysis.
- 20256 Feb
MAIB: Step-ladder failure (LTI)
A crew member fell when a folding stepladder’s top-step support welds failed, sustaining back and head injuries. MAIB considered pre-existing damage almost certain; the ladder was not overloaded. The flash stresses thorough pre-use inspection, equipment upkeep and a just culture supporting honest incident reporting.
- 202417 Dec
Sudden disconnection of pressurised hose
During vessel maintenance, a hose disconnected while residual water was pumped from a cofferdam at approximately 5.9–6 bar. Nobody was struck or injured. The flash identifies absent whip arrestors, missed pre-use checks and an apparently worn coupling, and recommends secondary securing, coupling inspection and sufficient onboard spares.
- 202427 Nov
BSEE: recurring hand injuries from alternative cutting devices
This safety flash summarises two offshore workers’ hand lacerations while removing zip ties with alternative cutting devices. One cutter had a damaged protective tip; the other lacked a blade guard and rebounded. BSEE recommends task-specific tool selection, pre-use shielding checks, cut-resistant gloves and disposal of defective devices.
- 202415 Nov
Safety Alert 492 - Fall Protection Self-Retracting Lanyard
BSEE describes two falls involving self-retracting lanyards: an approximately 90-foot fall with an incorrectly rigged belay, and a swinging fall involving an offset anchor point. It recommends that operators and contractors consider system angle limits, pre-use inspections, functional checks, job safety analysis, current training and site-specific rescue planning.
- 202411 Nov
Snagging hazards
Two unrelated snagging incidents involved a cargo container catching on a deck light guard and a lifejacket strap engaging a tug’s anchor clutch. Slings parted in the first case; the anchor chain parted in the second. Lessons address visibility, crew communication, winch pre-use inspections and adequately sized clutch securing pins.
- 202410 Oct
BSEE Safety Alert 490 - Helideck Condition Notifications and Verification
A helicopter pilot diverted after discovering that an offshore helideck’s capacity had been reduced from its published rating of 12,000 lbs to 6,000 lbs. The alert examines delayed notification and recommends considering verified capacity information, verbal checks before flight and landing, updated procedures, marking recognition training and prompt communication of changes.
- 20245 Sep
BSEE Safety Alert 489 - Situational Awareness Pre-Job Assessment
An offshore worker injured his leg and knee after falling through an opening on a blowout preventer work platform where a damaged hatch cover had been removed. BSEE recommends operators and contractors consider pre-job hazard checks, communication, suitable fall protection, barricades and continued reassessment of changing surroundings.
- 20243 Sep
BSEE Safety Alert 487 - Recurring Hand Injuries While Using Alternative Cutting Devices
BSEE describes two hand lacerations during zip-tie cutting with alternative cutting devices: one had a damaged protective tip, and another lacked its blade guard and rebounded. Recommendations for consideration include task-specific tool selection in job safety analysis, pre-use shielding checks, cut-resistant gloves and disposal of defective devices.
- 20243 Sep
Near miss: lift bag released unintentionally from crane hook
A lift bag detached from a crane hook at the splash-zone during a saturation dive and floated near a vessel operating in DP mode. Incorrect folding and attachment allowed buoyancy to defeat the self-locking latch. No harm occurred. The flash recommends risk assessment, rigging checks and a tool basket.
- 202431 Jul
Dropped object: unsecured cargo inside box broke lose and fell
A safety flash describes unsecured cargo falling approximately 5 m onto a vessel deck during a quayside lift. A loose hydraulic ram broke its crate and destabilised the pallet assembly. Nobody was injured. Recommendations address cargo securing, competent inspection, trained lifting crews, pallet limitations and wind checks.
- 202431 Jul
Fast Rescue Boat (FRC) comes close to falling off in a dry dock
During an annual rescue-craft and davit test aboard a vessel in dry dock, an unreleased lashing caused the craft to tip into a railing and its stern to become stuck. Hydraulic piping burst under abnormal pressure. Nobody was injured. The flash recommends pre-launch checks, clearer communication and detailed launch and retrieval procedures.
- 202431 Jul
MAIB: LTI – a wedge shattered causing injury
A cargo-vessel crew member struck a hatch-cover securing wedge with a sledgehammer. The wedge shattered, and a fragment penetrated their right leg below the knee, resulting in three days off work. The flash prompts equipment and work-area checks and consideration of force, swing alignment and direction.
- 20242 Jul
Dropped halogen lamp caused small fire
During night-time painting aboard a vessel, wind gusts toppled a halogen lamp from scaffolding, igniting a board below. Nobody was injured; the lamp was destroyed and the board damaged. The flash highlights unattended equipment during breaks, stability checks, weather awareness and consideration of LED alternatives.
- 20241 May
BSEE Safety Alert 485 - Hand Tools Pose Risk to Offshore Personnel
BSEE describes two offshore hand-drill incidents involving gloves caught by drill bits, resulting in an index-finger laceration and a fractured thumb. Operators and contractors are asked to consider measures addressing hand placement, secured workpieces, drill binding, suitable protective equipment, pre-use inspection, tool selection and intact guards.
- 202419 Feb
Vessel damaged in contact with platform
A crew transfer vessel struck a fixed platform after its port inner main engine remained driving forward. Worn carbon brushes caused the propulsion actuator to freeze. Control was regained too late to prevent wheelhouse damage; nobody was injured. Actions included fleet motor checks, revised maintenance arrangements and renewed emphasis on loss-of-power drills.
- 202414 Feb
BSEE Safety Alert 481 - Hazardous Helideck Conditions Results in Near Miss Incident
An offshore helideck near miss involved unsecured safety skirting moving in helicopter rotor downwash after landing clearance. BSEE recommends that operators and contractors consider checks before clearance, coordination of simultaneous operations, facility-specific procedures and briefings, alongside notifications and visible markings for out-of-service helidecks.
- 202412 Feb
Fall Protection – Defective Safety Harness
A technician noticed an abnormality in a safety harness during vessel back-deck equipment recovery, prompting an immediate stop. Inspection revealed defects around the plastic back pad. The flash discusses inspection competence, missing evidence of pre-use checks, maintenance and storage shortcomings, and actions covering visual inspection, equipment registers and unserviceable harnesses.
- 202422 Jan
UK MAIB: Deep fat fryer fire
A shipboard galley fire followed restoration of power to two deep fat fryers drained for cleaning. Overheated elements ignited fat-saturated food residues before thermal protection disconnected power. Crew extinguished the fire without damage or injury. Lessons address lockout/tagout, equipment readiness, electrical supply checks and practised emergency response.
- 20249 Jan
Chain hoist paid out unsupervised near running main engine
An unattended electric chain hoist aboard a vessel paid out onto a running main engine near the generator drive shaft. A defective pendant button issued a continuous payout command. The flash examines operator assumptions, unsecured stowage and the unused emergency stop, and recommends checks, isolation review and maintenance review.
- 2024
MAIB Safety Digest 1/2024
This marine accident digest presents lessons from merchant shipping, commercial fishing and recreational craft incidents. Cases examine pilot ladders, navigation, mooring machinery, suspended loads, falls and recovery from the water. Reproduced bulletins and flyers address RIB passenger injuries, dredging-chain failures, fire-extinguishing systems and flotation-device suitability.
- 202318 Dec
Two hand injuries
Two marine incidents involved a pilot’s knuckle injured by an abruptly closing access hatch and a seaman’s thumb crushed during small-boat mooring. The flash examines hatch securing, bulky backpack access, unassessed pinch points, communication and glove compliance, recommending secured hatches and separate transfer of bulky bags.
- 20239 Nov
Safety Alert 472 - Tote Tank Drain Nozzles Pose Leak Hazard
Two Gulf of Mexico lifting incidents illustrate how protruding tote-tank drain nozzles can strike nearby objects, causing diesel spillage or a cracked weld and minor leak. BSEE recommends considering nozzle positioning, clear transport paths, protective guards, conditional drain securing or nozzle removal, conspicuous marking and spill-response provisions.
- 20232 Nov
Lifeboat davit failure on polar research vessel RRS Sir David Attenborough
Investigates a lifeboat launch accident aboard RRS Sir David Attenborough that caused minor injuries to three crew. The report examines an interlock that failed to reset, likely corrosion-induced piston-rod seizure, omitted checks and maintenance, incomplete davit installation, and shortcomings in operating procedures and crew familiarisation.
- 202330 Oct
Fire in ROV workshop
A rechargeable flashlight headset left charging unattended on a UPS supply was involved in a fire in an ROV workshop. The flash describes effective crew communications and fire response, alongside recommendations on electrical equipment condition, supplier selection, charging surfaces, disconnection after charging and communicating portable-device charging hazards.
- 202330 Oct
Near miss: Dropped object during lifeboat testing
During lifeboat launch testing, a 7 kg turnbuckle and shackle fell 23 m onto the boat near a worker, who was unharmed. The closed turnbuckle concealed inadequate thread engagement. Actions included fleet inspections, replacement with inspectable open turnbuckles and revised pre-launch DROPS inspection procedures.
- 202323 Oct
Bypass of Emergency Shutdown in Rented Equipment Results in Additional Risk to Personnel and the Environment
An offshore inspection found a rented generator/light plant powering a coiled tubing unit with its emergency shutdown bypassed following air intake hose removal. A functional test confirmed shutdown failure. The alert recommends considering rental-equipment checks, maintenance-record review, competence assurance and protective procedures when shutdown systems require bypass.
- 202312 Sep
BSEE: Hazards to Personnel During Lifting Operations
This safety flash summarises BSEE examples of workers pinned or struck during offshore lifting. It presents recommendations on barricading hazardous areas and measures operators and contractors should consider, including careful tagline handling, suitable rigging, clear escape paths, weather monitoring, stopping uncontrolled lifts and maintaining communication.
- 202312 Sep
Finger injury while setting up pipe cutting operation
A crew member’s middle finger was trapped between a scaffold tube and a pipe cutting machine during vertical setup for jumper repair. A defective inlet valve allowed air to energise the machine. The flash discusses omitted manual setup validation, unsafe hand positioning, revised procedures, toolbox talks, operator training and pre-use inspections.
- 20233 Aug
High potential: dropped chain assembly
A 2.3 kg chain assembly fell 10 m during lowering, grazing a worker’s helmet without injury. Wind displaced a soft sling, whose fibres prevented the hook latch from locking. The flash highlights unsafe positioning, poor visibility and absent communication, recommending correct rigging placement, clear lifting areas and supervision.
- 20231 Jul
Person slipped on stairway while wearing shoe covers
A person wearing cloth shoe covers slipped down approximately four vessel stairway steps. Holding the handrail prevented further slippage but strained their torso and shoulder. The covers’ grip had worn away, and they had remained on outside accommodation. The flash recommends removing covers outside required areas and checking grip before use.
- 202312 Jun
MAIB: Gantry crane wire parted causing injury
An engine-room gantry crane dropped a 1200kg cylinder liner during generator overhaul, damaging equipment and breaking a fitter’s toe. A replacement hoisting wire was 7 m shorter than specified, preventing effective limit-switch operation. The flash reports incorrect maintenance records, inspections and repairs, and recommends testing hoist limit switches before crane operation.
- 202320 Apr
BSEE: Person injured when safety mechanisms failed
An offshore sandblasting worker sustained head and shoulder injuries when a T-connection detached and a whip check failed. The flash discusses improper cable crimping, slightly corroded baling wire and stresses from horizontal hose positioning. Recommendations address additional securing, fitting orientation, pre-job inspection and depressurisation before valve adjustment where practical.
- 202320 Apr
Dropped spanner falls 15 m
A spanner detached from its tool lanyard during hydraulic hose replacement outside protective netting and fell 15 metres to a deck. Nobody was injured. The flash examines worn carabiner threads, unauthorised additional work and barrier weaknesses, and describes actions on inspection, maintenance, work limits and dropped-object exclusion areas.
- 20234 Apr
Hand injury from portable grinder
A subcontract worker sustained a 3 cm hand laceration after inadvertently starting a portable grinder during flowline fabrication at a spool base. The flash identifies incorrectly positioned wheel protection, reduced grinder safety features and lower-protection gloves, and recommends guarding checks, consistent subcontractor equipment requirements and appropriate stop-work intervention.
- 202327 Mar
Leak of oil-based mud
A vessel preparing to transfer oil-based mud to shore spilled about 20–25 litres through tank ventilation during hose pressure testing. A deteriorated valve seal prevented full closure. The flash describes deck containment, toolbox communication, valve replacement, monthly manifold-valve cleaning and clearing residual chemicals or mud from transfer lines.
- 202316 Mar
Broken Breaker Bar Injury with Medical Evaluation Guidance
A wrongly sized breaker bar fractured during star-nut removal, causing a worker to fall into a steel beam and sustain dental and lip injuries. The alert shares tool inspection, selection, positioning and stop-work lessons, and recommends considering medical-treatment options, worker privacy and regulatory reporting obligations.
- 202327 Feb
Compressor fire
A rented diesel-driven screw compressor caught fire aboard a diving support vessel. An electrical short circuit damaged cable insulation; radiant heat compromised an oil scavenger line, releasing oil that ignited. No injuries occurred. The flash discusses maintenance testing gaps, pre-mobilisation checks, equipment assessments, fire suppression and deck positioning.
- 202327 Feb
Ineffective Crane Stinger Hook Pin Installation (BSEE)
A platform crane hook and suspended wireline lubricator fell after a sheared cotter pin allowed the hook pin to back out. This flash summarises BSEE findings on inadequate pin design and recommendations for threaded pins with nuts and keepers, retrofitting improper arrangements and adding pin-condition assessment to pre-use inspections.
- 202327 Feb
Near miss: Foreign body in diver’s helmet, resulting in fall of gas pressure
A diver at 18 m experienced reduced breathing gas pressure. Bailout gas did not resolve the problem, but free flow restored suitable pressure. A plastic shard from a broken cleaning pot was found in the helmet regulator. The flash highlights pre-dive checks, cleanliness and the member’s introduction of spray bottles.
- 202317 Feb
Person Injured when Safety Mechanisms Failed
A sandblasting worker on a Gulf of Mexico offshore facility suffered head and shoulder injuries when a T-connection released and a whip check broke. The alert discusses improper crimping, potentially weakened baling wire and hose orientation, recommending improved securing, pre-job assessment, equipment checks and depressurisation when practical.
- 20239 Feb
Air hose connection failure
An air hose detached from a tugger winch coupling after use; nobody was injured. The flash describes an incorrect adapter, a homemade connection and improperly installed whip checks. It recommends manufacturer-specified hose-barb adapters, correctly positioned whip checks and adequately resourced planned maintenance.
- 202318 Jan
Near miss: pilot ladder – side rope failed
During night-time pilot boarding, a ladder side rope parted during weight testing; the pilot was uninjured and boarding was aborted. The flash identifies omitted strength testing, continued use beyond operational life and absence of a spare ladder. Actions address pre-use inspection, replacement intervals and planned maintenance records.
- 202222 Dec
Failure of towline pennant on tug Svitzer Mercurius with minor injuries to 5 crew
Investigation of a towline pennant failure aboard Svitzer Mercurius in Southampton, where recoil shattered a wheelhouse window and glass injured five crew. The report examines hidden synthetic-rope damage, winch brake slippage, inspection and fleet-induction shortcomings, and considers laminated glazing and risk assessment for wheelhouse impact protection.
- 202214 Dec
Auxiliary Line Abrading Causes Rope Guard Failure
An auxiliary line abrading crane sheave components caused a rope guard to fail and fall approximately 100 feet near personnel below. The alert explains how high-speed line movement produces damage and recommends pre-use wear inspections and replacement of single main load line idler sheave carriers with a double sheave idler.
- 202213 Dec
BSEE: Unsafe chemical use and disposal
This safety flash summarises three BSEE incidents involving mixed epoxy paint waste, a smouldering rag and incompatible drain-cleaning chemicals. It describes smoke, fire and gas inhalation, and presents recommendations on chemical handling procedures, safety data sheets, suitable protective gloves and the readiness and compatibility of firefighting equipment.
- 202212 Dec
Ineffective Stinger Hook Pin Installation - High potential for injury and Equipment Damage
A crane stinger hook and suspended wireline lubricator fell at a Gulf of Mexico energy facility after a cotter pin sheared and the hook pin backed out. The alert identifies inadequate pin design and recommends threaded pins with nuts and keepers, retrofitting improper configurations and assessing pin condition before lifting.
- 20221 Nov
Hydraulic Oil Leak to Sea from Downline Fitting
During decommissioning with a diamond wire saw, 100 litres of hydraulic oil escaped to sea through a slack BSP downline fitting. Tightness checks had been omitted because the checklist prompted only visual inspection. Actions included physical tightness checks, checklist revision, additional fitting supports and removal of the hydraulic hose bight following feasibility review.
- 20223 Oct
BSEE: Unsecured Pressurised Hoses Result in Hand Injuries
This safety flash summarises two hose incidents during coil tubing operations: valve impact injured a thumb during pressure release, and a failed nitrogen connection caused a whipping hose to injure two workers. Recommendations address glove selection, depressurisation, hose restraint, valve checks, job safety analysis and stop-work authority.
- 20227 Sep
Temporary Equipment as a Potential Source of Ignition on Offshore Facilities
BSEE describes three examples of temporary equipment unsuitable for hazardous areas on offshore facilities: a diesel air compressor, hydraulic power pack and portable fan. The alert recommends considering equipment checks, ignition controls, management of change, pre-startup review and documented risk assessment throughout installation, use and removal.
- 202226 Jul
Machinery breakdown leads to a collision
A tanker approaching a berth suffered main engine failure and struck a moored barge at around 4.5 knots. Incomplete engine-control maintenance left a locking pin unsecured, activating emergency manoeuvring overrides. The flash highlights physical verification of locking arrangements, closer pilot–bridge integration and attention to single points of failure.
- 202226 Jul
Third-party truck not in appropriate or safe condition
Joint inspections before pipe transport identified unsafe third-party trucks, including tyre defects, corroded trailer beds and worn bolster padding. Rejected vehicles were withdrawn pending rectification. The flash recommends defining supplier requirements and considering an inspection checklist, and separately describes a low-loader hydraulic hose failure that leaked approximately 10 litres.
- 202222 Jul
USCG: Unexpected Dangers: Lifeboat Remote Control Wires
This flash describes two lifeboat launching failures involving remote control wires: wire parting associated with poor spooling, followed by unexpected payout after replacement. The second event caused erratic lowering and a list exceeding 90 degrees. It highlights visual inspection, shackle condition and company requirements for test lowering without crew.
- 2022Jun
CHIRP Maritime FEEDBACK 67
Maritime incident reports examine risk acceptance through undocking damage, unsafe access over timber cargo, power and detection failures, collisions, cargo-control distraction, grounding, sinking and boiler repair. Commentary addresses testing, isolation, familiarisation and challenge culture. Additional material describes tug-use training and a pilot-boarding safety checklist.
- 202231 May
Near miss: grinder disc rotation set up in the wrong direction
A diver’s pre-operational checks identified reversed disc rotation on a GR29 underwater grinder modified for left-handed cutting, creating a risk of the cutting disc lock nut coming off. Work stopped and the tool was quarantined. The flash describes changing handle and guard orientation while retaining the original rotation direction.
- 202212 May
Safe Use of Ladders and Stepladders
This safety flash highlights Ladder Association guidance LA455 for workplace use of portable leaning ladders and stepladders. It summarises equipment suitability, stable positioning, securing, pre-use checks and inspection records. Alternative equipment is recommended where a task would require more than 30 minutes at a time on a ladder.
- 202221 Apr
COBRA System – Hose coupling cross threaded
A diving safety flash describes leakage from a COBRA hose coupling that was cross-threaded and subsequently pulled free during helmet removal in the bell. It examines restricted access and reliance on a green pressure indicator, highlighting coupling alignment awareness, visible-thread checks and a requested supplier review of the coupling mechanism.
- 202221 Apr
Diver experienced an air flow restriction
A surface-supplied diver experienced restricted air flow at 23msw and the dive was aborted without injury. Investigation identified a needle valve that failed to open properly, with possible overtightening linked to premature equipment fatigue. Actions included valve replacement, revised pre-dive checks and operating procedures, and a team emergency debrief.
- 202221 Apr
Subsea transponder wire parted
A positioning transponder’s tripod wire parted during vessel repositioning. The 4 mm wire failed approximately 1 m from the lifting eye, with corrosion and insufficient replacement identified. Divers and a crane recovered the tripod. Actions included performance testing, visual checks before launch and during recovery, and six-monthly wire replacement.
- 202216 Mar
Crane Anti-Two Block Weight Pulled into Boom Tip Causing Damages to Auxiliary Cable and Sheave
This alert describes repeated anti-two-block weight failures on a platform crane, with bypassed alarms and damage to the auxiliary cable and boom-tip sheave. It links an earlier sensor and chain incident to subsequent component changes, and recommends considering improved inspections, change management, operating procedures, training and oversight of safety-system bypasses.
- 202210 Mar
BSEE Identifies Maintenance and Certification Issues of Rental Generators
BSEE reviews rental generator incidents during start-up and commissioning on the US Outer Continental Shelf in 2021. Failures involved fires, arc flashes and work stoppages. The alert discusses degraded windings, moisture ingress and corrosion, and recommends operators consider certification checks, commissioning assurance, insulation resistance testing and personnel competence measures.
- 2022Mar
Personal protective equipment at work
Guidance explains the amended PPE at Work Regulations and the use of personal protection as a last resort. It addresses suitability, fit, compatibility, maintenance, storage, training and supervision, with practical selection advice for body protection, buoyancy equipment and personal fall-protection systems.
- 202217 Feb
Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container - FIBC - Parted Straps Result in Near Misses
This alert describes three Gulf of Mexico incidents involving failed bulk-bag straps in September and October 2021. It discusses weather exposure, ultraviolet degradation and inadequate storage, and recommends considering capacity checks, pre-lift inspection, improved storage, alternative basket lifting and four-point rigging to reduce load failures.
- 202210 Feb
UK HSE: Offshore crane boom hoist failures
This flash summarises two offshore crane incidents in which boom hoist ropes left sheaves, sustained undetected damage and failed during lifting. Booms and loads fell, with no injuries reported. It discusses possible slack-rope and installation-twist mechanisms, and recommends controlled operation, manufacturer-guided stowage, retention-bar inspection and rope-seating checks.
- 2022Jan
Offshore cranes
HSE safety notice examines two offshore crane boom hoist rope failures in 2020, when ropes displaced from sheaves became severely damaged and booms fell without injuring anyone. It discusses possible wind, slack-rope and installation-twist mechanisms, and specifies precautions concerning boom stowage, smooth operation, retention bars, pre-use checks and replacement-rope installation.
- 20219 Dec
Oil leakage from cylinder head cover
Following planned maintenance, a misaligned main-engine cylinder cover left a 3 mm sealing gap. Vessel list concealed the oil leakage until a turn to port. Engineers repositioned the cover and removed spilled oil, which was beginning to vaporise beneath the exhaust gas line, then established a fire watch.
- 20212 Dec
Crew member stopped unsafe cargo operations
A Second Officer stopped third-party dock-to-vessel cargo lifting after observing an uncoloured wire set and a metal cargo box without valid certification marks. Requested assurance was not provided, so the cargo remained on the quay and was quarantined. The flash highlights stop-work authority, knowledge of colour coding and equipment checks before lifting.
- 202125 Nov
Use of damaged electrical equipment by dock workers
Third-party welders preparing anchor sea-fastening work aboard a vessel in port had damaged wiring connected without a plug. Vessel crew stopped the job, and the ETO repaired the wiring and fitted a suitable plug. The flash highlights omitted visual inspections and possible lessons for subcontractor oversight during busy port calls and mobilisations.
- 202118 Nov
MSF: Dropped object during cargo discharge operations
A sea fastening bracket weighing about 3 kg fell from a generator’s forklift pocket onto a quayside trailer during cargo discharge using a mobile shore crane. The flash identifies missed dropped-object sweeps and poor lower tween-deck lighting, and records renewed crew communication about sweeps and possible vigilance lessons for repetitive work.
- 20218 Nov
De-rusting incident resulting in eye injury
A worker suffered an eye injury while descaling a winch brake band with a chipping hammer and sanding disc despite wearing goggles and a mask. Goggles were thought to have loosened during head movement. Recommendations address full-face filtered protection, pre-use checks, cleaning and careful removal to prevent debris entering the eyes.
- 202131 Aug
Near Miss – Damaged Rig Hose
A near miss during receipt of contaminated oil-based mud from a rig revealed detached hose lining trapped between connections. The flash identifies potential back-pressure hose failure and environmental consequences if flow were blocked, and calls for hose condition and certification checks, visual inspection before use and stop-work intervention.
- 202119 Aug
Lifting complex loads – offloading third party equipment
A rented cherry picker tilted against a vessel’s bulwarks during offloading in port, causing minor damage. The flash identifies shortcomings in crew handover, lift planning and supplier documentation, alongside a rigging clash. Actions address equipment-specific lift plans, certified rigging, vendor information and competent examination before use.
- 202111 Aug
US Coast Guard: Wire rope terminations
This flash summarises a US Coast Guard alert following a wire rope termination failure that damaged equipment. It discusses improper swaging, material selection and termination effects on safe working load. Recommendations cover visual examination, dimensional checks, manufacturing documentation and competent inspection before use, with attention to incorrect crimping dies.
- 202110 Aug
Miscommunication of Load Weight Leads to a Lifting High Potential Lifting Near Miss
A cargo lift exceeded the crane’s rated capacity after intercom miscommunication led to an incorrect manifest weight; the basket tag also showed its empty weight. Wire rope damage was subsequently found. BSEE recommends considering improved shipment coordination, load marking, weight verification, pre-lift rigging checks and inspection and testing of overloaded cranes.
- 202130 Jul
Acetylene quad fire on quayside
An acetylene cylinder quad caught fire on a quayside during vessel demobilisation involving removal of sea-fastenings by welders. No injuries were reported. The flash describes emergency response, cylinder puncturing, evacuation and cooling, and recommends pre-use inspections, appropriate quad storage and review of emergency procedures. Causes remained under investigation.