Equipment
Gangway
Personnel-access bridges between vessels, shore or installations.
Documents
- 20263 Mar
W2W gangway bumper damaged during demonstration
A walk-to-work gangway bumper broke off during an emergency-retraction demonstration while connected to an offshore wind turbine transition piece. Vessel movement during an approximately one-second uncompensated delay overloaded the bolts. Nobody was harmed. Actions included crew refamiliarisation, revised demonstration procedures and manufacturer evaluation of a possible software revision requiring class approval.
- 202612 Jan
LTI – back injury
An Able Seaman suffered a lower-back injury while lowering a crew transfer vessel’s gangway onto the quay. The flash examines lone manual handling, crane-position constraints, uncertain gangway weight and inadequate procedural risk controls. Lessons include ideally using two people when mechanical aids cannot be used, reviewing assessments and verifying gangway weights.
- 202518 Dec
Two Walk-to-Work gangway incidents
Two related Walk-to-Work gangway incidents occurred during offshore wind personnel transfers. Hydraulic stiction caused uncontrolled slewing and a collision with the vessel crane. Subsequent modifications introduced an automation logic error that prevented retraction during connection preparation. The flash describes hydraulic adjustments, revised operating procedures and manufacturer testing; neither incident caused injury.
- 202519 Aug
UK HSE: Motion Compensated Gangways Auto-Retraction
This IMCA flash summarises UK HSE concerns about unplanned retraction of motion-compensated gangways following power or control-system failures. It explains why simultaneous alarms provide inadequate warning and outlines required reviews of gangway arrangements and automatic-function testing, alongside recommended technical risk assessment and rigorous assessment of operator overrides.
- 2025Aug
Motion Compensated Gangways Auto-retraction
HSE warns that power failures or control-system errors can trigger unexpected retraction of motion-compensated gangways, exposing users to falls and moving parts. The notice requires reviews of gangway arrangements, design and automatic-function testing, and calls for adequate advance warnings and rigorous assessment of operator overrides.
- 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.
- 202425 Sep
Man overboard during motion compensated gangway transfer
An offshore worker fell overboard from a height of one metre when a manually station-kept vessel drifted off and its motion-compensated gangway disconnected. His life-jacket failed to inflate, but he was recovered within 22 seconds. The flash addresses gangway emergency procedures, drift-off familiarisation, flotation-device checks and safety induction.
- 202412 Sep
Fall overboard from sail training vessel Pelican of London with loss of 1 life
MAIB investigates a volunteer relief cook’s fatal fall from Pelican of London’s gangway at Sharpness. It examines ineffective guard ropes, a downward-sloping safety net, deficient risk assessment and informal rigging practices. Alcohol impairment and policies for returning from shore are analysed, with recommendations addressing gangway approval, training and alcohol controls.
- 2024May
Risk of serious injury from motion compensated gangways
This safety notice addresses serious injury risks during deployment and use of motion compensated gangways, including entrapment, shearing and falls from open walkway ends. It sets out expectations for risk assessment, timely audible and visible auto-retraction warnings, user and operator competence, and inspection and maintenance arrangements.
- 202412 Feb
MSF: Two dropped object incidents
Two vessel incidents involved a metal wedge falling 13 m during gangway pin removal and a lightning rod falling 26 m onto deck. The flash examines unsecured items, access to drop zones and rod fittings, describing tethering modifications, improved barriering guidance and planned maintenance checks.
- 2024
CHIRP Annual Digest 2024
This annual compilation brings together anonymised maritime incident reports and commentary on crew welfare, vessel design, engineering, deck work and navigation. Cases examine enclosed-space entry, mooring injuries, pilot ladders, machinery hazards and groundings. Discussion emphasises leadership, communication, work permits, training and lessons for conventional and autonomous vessel operations.
- 20236 Dec
LTI: Gangway collapsed
A gangway collapsed during departure from vessels alongside in a shipyard, fracturing both of a person's heels. Scaffolding obstructed complete gangway removal during engine tests. The flash identifies absent barriers, signs, watchkeeping and lighting, and recommends better communication, crew supervision and secure restriction of hazardous access.
- 202311 Jan
Incorrect gangway rigging
Two cases illustrate unsafe gangway arrangements: placement near an unbarriered quay drop with an incorrectly mounted safety net, and deformation over a bollard as propeller wash moved a vessel. Lessons address inclination limits, fencing, safety nets, positioning, assessment of vessel movement risks and adequate gangway watch.
- 2023
CHIRP Annual Digest 2023
An annual compilation of confidential maritime incident reports and analytical articles covering shipping, commercial fishing, ports and superyachts. Case commentaries examine navigation, mooring, lifting, equipment failures and enclosed-space entry. Wider discussions address safety culture, communication, seafarer wellbeing and fatigue, including an indicative watchkeeper fatigue assessment tool.
- 2023
CHIRP Superyacht FEEDBACK 2 (Spring 2023)
Six superyacht reports examine authority gradients, guest distractions and safety culture through a deck slip, navigational near misses, tender lifting failure, towing capsize and lithium-ion battery fire. Commentary discusses constructive challenge, safe access, inspection limitations, lifejackets, emergency communications and fire response, contrasting weak practices with effective crew action.
- 2023
CHIRP Superyacht FEEDBACK 4 (Autumn 2023)
This superyacht digest analyses an allergic reaction, faulty gangway installation, a dive-vessel capsize, berth-departure contact, mooring injuries and grounding followed by dismissal of a reporting watchkeeper. Commentary examines equipment certification, stability testing, medical preparedness, line-handling teamwork, passage planning and constructive challenges to unsafe decisions.
- 202213 Dec
MAIB: Worker falls between vessel and quay
A shore worker used a stowed gangway despite crew instructions to wait for alternative access as the tide fell. He slipped and fell over 8 m into the sea, sustaining significant injuries. The flash describes his rescue and stresses safe access arrangements and compliance with instructions to visitors.
- 202211 Mar
Non-fatal man overboard incident
A pilot fell into the water while attempting to leave a mooring boat before it was securely moored. He escaped uninjured using an inflated lifejacket and jetty ladder, although the lifejacket was incorrectly secured. The flash addresses safe disembarkation, buddy support, lifejacket fastening and gangway safeguards.
- 202225 Feb
Jacking Up Lift Boat During Crane Operations
During well abandonment, a lift boat was raised with crane slings still connected to a wellhead. Suspected snagging on hanger pins preceded sling failure and injury to an operator. BSEE recommends considering interface disconnection, attentive crane operation, elevation-adjustment procedures and job safety analysis addressing interconnected equipment.
- 202119 Nov
MOB: Person fell into water during gangway installation
A crew member fell into the water while attempting to lift a portable gangway to free another person’s trapped foot, and was recovered without injury. The flash identifies communication failures, tiredness, insufficient staffing and absent risk assessment, recommending toolbox talks, improved bridge–deck coordination and sufficient supervised, rested crew.
- 202010 Nov
Pilots leaving the vessel in port in an unsafe manner
Two incidents involving pilots leaving unstable gangways before they rested on the jetty resulted in a medical treatment case and a near miss. The flash recommends completing mooring before disembarkation, ensuring the gangway lies flat with crew attending, communicating delays, using available shoreside assistance where possible and wearing lifejackets.
- 202012 Jun
Near miss/positive: Crew exercised stop work on new gangway
Following an initial transfer test, a captain stopped use of a newly installed gangway after identifying a trip hazard and minor hydraulic leak. Further inspection revealed cracks in welding seams. The flash highlights pre-use inspection, stop-work authority without reprisal, and quarantine of unsafe equipment pending corrective action.
- 202028 Apr
Vessel gangway rolled off platform tower and fell to the quayside in high wind
A vessel in port moved away from the quay during gusts exceeding 50 knots, causing its gangway to roll off a tower platform and fall approximately 5.2 m. Nobody was harmed. The flash examines mooring stretch, unrecognised falling-load risk and access design, and recommends reviewing weather reports and access risk assessments.
- 202030 Jan
Worker fell into sea from gangway and drowned
A worker lost his balance while boarding a launch boat from a vessel gangway and drowned. The incident remained under investigation. The flash relays WSH recommendations on transfer briefings, physical fitness, favourable conditions, appropriate supervision and personal protective equipment, and points readers towards personnel-transfer guidance.
- 201917 Dec
Uncontrolled movement of retractable gangway
A vessel’s retractable gangway fell after its lifting-device spring latch disconnected, releasing the holding wire. The winch hand-crank rotated rapidly, exposing personnel to injury risk, but nobody was injured. Unanswered repair requests and unused stop-work authority are highlighted, alongside inspection, latch replacement and modification to prevent uncontrolled falling.
- 20195 Dec
Fall while boarding tug Millgarth with loss of 1 life
Investigation of a fatal fall while boarding Millgarth at Tranmere Oil Terminal. The chief engineer most likely slipped on a wet fender and died from cardiac arrest due to cold water immersion. The report examines self-mooring, shared access risks, recovery equipment, crew training and unsuccessful rescue attempts.
- 201928 Oct
Marine Operations
HSE guidance supports offshore inspectors in assessing dutyholders’ marine operations and assigning compliance ratings. It covers vessel assurance, collision prevention, cargo transfer, rig moves, walk-to-work gangways and multi-role rescue vessels. Inspection criteria examine operational limits, risk assessments, certification and whether additional vessel duties compromise response and rescue capability.
- 20191 Jul
Near miss: Uncontrolled movement of gangway
During vessel gangway maintenance, a temporary forward securing rope slipped after bolts were loosened and the gangway wire slackened. The forward tip fell 2–3 m; aft securing arrangements prevented further falling. Crew recovered the ladder. The flash highlights inadequate preparation, attention and supervision, and warns against complacency during routine work.
- 201918 Apr
Transferee stepping from gangway to staircase during rotation
During personnel extraction from offshore wind turbines in worsening weather, a transferee continued along a gangway after an alarm and automatic disconnection, entering a potential crush zone during slewing. He exited safely. The flash examines ambiguous instructions and platform design, recording removal of a superfluous post and planned crew refamiliarisation.
- 201918 Apr
Uncontrolled release of walk to work gangway
A walk-to-work gangway connection failed during personnel transfer to an offshore wind installation, causing minor damage and prompting the transfer to be aborted. Investigation identified reduced active motion compensation accuracy. Corrective measures addressed software parameters, annual performance verification, pre-connection stability checks and connection-point compatibility.
- 201913 Feb
Hazard hunt: Pilot ladders and gangways
A fatal gangway collapse prompted a member’s focus on pilot ladders and gangways. A parted wire allowed the gangway to pivot and fall into the sea. Recommendations address periodic inspection, checks for damage and corrosion during rigging, lubrication of moving parts, underside examinations and appropriate supervision.
- 2019Feb
Considerations for Walk to Work and Multi Operation Vessels – Regulatory Guidance
UK regulatory guidance for offshore oil and gas walk-to-work safety cases addresses vessel selection, installation collision resistance, station keeping and task-specific procedures. It examines gangway evacuation availability, contractor competence and combined rescue-vessel arrangements, requiring rescue and recovery capability to remain available throughout operations.
- 201814 Dec
“Don’t forget about gangways” – USCG: Pilot Dies in Gangway Accident
This safety flash summarises a USCG alert concerning a fatal boarding accident in which a gangway separated from a vessel and two people fell into the water. With investigations continuing, it highlights gangway checks, reporting deficiencies, implementing applicable best practices and declining crossings where safety concerns exist.
- 201814 Dec
Third-party high potential near miss – dropped gangway
A gangway fell 2.4 m onto a barge at a spool fabrication yard, shortly after personnel had used it. Securing arrangements overlooked tidal range, strap abrasion and required roller movement. The flash highlights task risk assessment, responsibility allocation and regular inspections of gangway movement and securing arrangements.
- 201811 Apr
Unsafe attempt of personnel transfer between vessels
Three subcontractor personnel attempted to transfer between adjacent vessels through bulwark guardrails without a proper gangway. Intervention stopped the attempt; the vessel later moved to the quayside and provided gangway access. This uninjured near miss prompted renewed communication of safe-access requirements and a planned review of visitor induction checklists.
- 201831 Jan
Gangway damaged when lifting line parted
A vessel’s gangway suffered severe cracking after its lifting wire parted during stowage, allowing it to pivot and fall to water level. No injuries occurred. The flash identifies inadequate greasing and maintenance oversight, and calls for condition checks, effective wire greasing and supervisory verification.
- 201823 Jan
LTI: Feet trapped in motion compensated telescopic gangway
A crewman sustained serious, non-life-threatening foot injuries beneath a telescopic gangway’s sliding step during a night-time transfer from a walk-to-work vessel. The flash identifies gap-design and monitoring shortcomings, inadequate lighting and insufficient induction awareness. Reported actions address gap checks, maintenance monitoring, training video improvements and lighting retrofits.
- 201625 Feb
Accident to shore worker while disembarking passenger vessel Oldenburg with 1 fatality
Investigates the fatal entrapment of a shore worker between Oldenburg and a quayside fender at Ilfracombe. He attempted to disembark through an unguarded shell door along the vessel’s belting while swell moved the ship. The report examines access arrangements, visitor supervision, training and risk assessment, and records subsequent owner actions without making recommendations.
- 2014Sep
Person overboard while climbing on stern trawler New Dawn to access stern trawler Horizon II, with loss of 1 life
Investigation of a fatal boarding fall at Royal Quays marina, North Shields. Horizon II’s skipper fell while climbing New Dawn’s guardrails. The report examines hazardous access arrangements, alcohol, wet surfaces, unimplemented risk-assessment measures and delayed recovery, and records marina improvements and recommendations for safer berth access.
- 201312 Sep
MSF: Gangway detached from vessel
This safety flash summarises a Marine Safety Forum incident involving a gangway platform detaching from a vessel. The platform and gangway dropped approximately 0.5–1 m before remaining suspended by securing ropes and a safety net. Further incident details were available on request from the Forum.
- 20139 May
Gangway safety: A review of recent incidents and near-misses involving vessel gangways
This safety flash introduces a Marine Safety Forum review of several vessel gangway incidents and near misses reported by base staff. It identifies improper rigging of gangways and safety nets, alongside poor housekeeping that left tripping hazards on gangways. The underlying review is available on request from the Forum.
- 20128 Jun
Lost time injury (LTI): Crewman’s finger pinched when moving the gangway
A crewman suffered a finger pinch injury while manually stowing a replacement gangway before departure from port, leading to five weeks off work. The flash identifies inadequate risk assessment and absent management of change, and records valve modifications, revised risk assessment and changes to gangway handling arrangements.
- 2012May
Person overboard from container vessel Dette G during cargo operations with loss of 1 life
This investigation examines a fatal fall overboard from Dette G during container discharge at Queen Elizabeth Dock, Hull. It analyses unauthorised pilot-gate access, increasing freeboard, vessel movement and shortcut-taking. The report discusses inadequate risk assessment, recovery difficulties and subsequent measures addressing gangway use, lifejackets and man-overboard training.
- 201229 Feb
Man drowned after falling into dock when disembarking through pilot-gate
This safety flash describes a crewman’s fatal fall into a dock in port while leaving a vessel. He used the side pilot-gate rather than the designated secure gangway at the aft end and lost his footing. The account references Marine Safety Forum Safety Flash 12-06.
- 200923 Oct
Lost time injury (LTI): Gangway deployment
A changed berth prompted recovery of a vessel’s partly deployed gangway. Two crew members removed securing pins without first relieving lifting-wire tension. Crowbar pressure caused the outboard pin to jump out and a gangway section to trap their legs. One suffered a serious fracture; the flash stresses following recovery procedures.
- 20092 Oct
Torn ankle ligaments
This IMCA safety flash introduces a Marine Safety Forum notice about a crew member injured while stepping between vessels without an available gangway. The supplied pages identify the transfer circumstances but provide no further account of the injury mechanism, incident date or recommended preventive measures.
- 2006Jul
MAIB Safety Digest 2/2006
This marine accident digest presents cases involving merchant ships, fishing vessels and leisure craft. Lessons examine lookout, passage planning, fatigue, firefighting, lifting injuries, lifeboat failures, flooding and capsize. Case analyses emphasise suitable training, clear briefings, risk assessment and emergency arrangements. Appendices list examinations, investigations and issued reports.
- 20041 Oct
Uncontrolled decompression during gangway move
A gangway struck a hyperbaric chamber fitting during raising, causing uncontrolled decompression of a man-way trunk and adjacent entry lock. Four divers were in saturation; no injuries were reported. Initial findings identified an unprotected fitting and door misalignment. Recommendations address impact protection, door alignment and management of proposed modifications.
- 2004
MAIB Safety Digest 1/2004
This digest presents lessons from 27 marine accidents and incidents involving merchant ships, fishing vessels and leisure craft. Cases examine navigation, mooring, lifeboat launching, fires, flooding and stability. The discussion highlights risk assessment, equipment maintenance, operating procedures and emergency arrangements, including winch brake adjustment and carbon-dioxide fire suppression.
- 19991 Jul
Offshore telescopic gangway
This safety flash relays a UKOOA alert concerning an unplanned disconnection of a marine aluminium telescopic gangway. Investigations identified a potential single-point failure of the joystick pressure-control valve that could expose joysticks rated at 50 bar to substantially higher hydraulic pressure.
- 1999
MAIB Safety Digest 2/1999
A marine accident digest presents lessons from merchant shipping, commercial fishing and leisure craft incidents. Accounts examine navigation, fatigue, machinery failures, fires, explosions, flooding and unsafe access. Case-specific lessons address passage planning, crew familiarisation, equipment checks, maintenance, watertight subdivision and emergency arrangements, with findings explicitly described as tentative.
- 1998
MAIB Safety Digest 1/1998
This digest examines casualties involving merchant ships, fishing vessels and leisure craft. Case lessons address radar interpretation, passage planning, watchkeeper rest, shipboard fires, safe access, cargo securing, flooding detection and overboard recovery. Appendices list investigations and explain MAIB inquiry arrangements.
- Undated
Worker Fell into Sea When Gangway Pulled off Platform
BSEE investigates a gangway incident between the liftboat Courtney Gabrielle and Main Pass 107E platform. After its securing chain was removed, liftboat movement pulled the gangway off the platform, and a worker fell 40 feet into the Gulf. Findings identify weather, unsecured access and failure to follow removal procedures.
- Undated
Aker BP - Tambar - Investigation into walkway incident
Investigation of a motion-compensated walkway test landing at Tambar that damaged railings and other equipment. It examines thrust landing, accidental-load design requirements and planning deficiencies, including late hazard identification, incomplete technical verification and inadequate information exchange. Findings distinguish actual west-side damage from potential consequences at the south landing area.
- Undated
Equinor/Floatel International - Floatel Endurance - investigation of unintentional gangway disconnection
Investigates Floatel Endurance’s loss of position and automatic gangway lift at Martin Linge on 29 February 2020. One person returned safely without physical injury. The report examines wave loading, dynamic positioning limitations, deficient operating limits, conflicting safety instructions and delayed personnel accounting, alongside helicopter transfers following disconnection.
- Undated
Equinor/Island Offshore – Oseberg H/Island Clipper – investigation into loss of gangway
Investigation of two gangway failures at the Oseberg H–Island Clipper interface in 2025. Hydraulic coupling failures disabled gangway functions and the primary evacuation route, requiring helicopter evacuation without injury. The report distinguishes a likely May material defect from October assembly deficiencies and examines shared hydraulic dependencies, change management and emergency drills.
- Undated
Fall from height on barge carrier/lighter aboard ship Spruce with 1 person injured
Investigation synopsis of a cook’s six-metre fall into an empty barge hold during manual gangway recovery aboard Spruce at Hartlepool. It examines insufficient deck staffing and unaccounted-for inter-departmental flexibility, and records changes to gangway retrieval, guardrails and deck training, alongside recommendations concerning minimum safe manning.
- Undated
Person overboard while disembarking from passenger vessel Hurlingham with loss of 1 life
Investigation into a passenger’s fatal fall into the Thames while disembarking from Hurlingham at Westminster Pier. It examines inadequate mooring, unsupervised disembarkation without a gangway, competing crew duties and weaknesses in emergency drills, risk assessments and procedures. Recommendations address vessel operation, inspections and passenger access arrangements.
- Undated
Unintended movement of ro-ro passenger ferry Ben-My-Chree resulting in collapse of access structure trapping 8 people
Ben-My-Chree moved approximately 8 m during boarding and vehicle loading at Heysham, damaging passenger access structures and trapping eight passengers without injury. The synopsis examines propulsion-control handover, autotension mooring winches and structural weaknesses, alongside post-maintenance testing arrangements and recommendations for port risk reviews and access-structure inspections.