Equipment
Winch
Powered or manual drums hauling lines or loads.
Newest 100 Documents
All 323 in search- 202625 Jun
Serious injury to a crew member on board the scallop dredger Jacoba (BM77)
Investigation into serious crushing injuries aboard Jacoba during scallop dredging in the English Channel. A winch-operated main beam was lowered while a deckhand worked beneath it to clear snagged gear. The report examines inadequate task-specific risk assessments, snag-clearing procedures, familiarisation, crew certification and oversight, and recommends improvements to fleet safety management.
- 20266 May
Catastrophic engine failure and subsequent fire on board the site investigation vessel Kommandor Susan
Investigates a diesel generator failure and engine-room fire aboard Kommandor Susan during sea trials in the Firth of Forth. The report links premature bearing wear to substitute components and inappropriate extended service intervals, examines contractor oversight, and describes successful firefighting alongside emergency anchoring difficulties caused by dependence on electrical power.
- 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.
- 202521 Feb
Lifeboat Unexpectedly Descends
In November 2024, a lifeboat on a North Sea drilling unit descended unexpectedly from its stowed position following winch failure during severe weather. Crew attempts to stop cable deployment were followed by failure of the stern wire, then the bow wire. The craft drifted away and was subsequently recovered.
- 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.
- 202424 Oct
Dropped sheave and clump weight
During wind turbine monopile installation, a clump weight was hoisted into a sheave, breaking it and dropping both components onto the deck. No injuries occurred, but equipment damage and a hydraulic oil spill resulted. The flash highlights simultaneous winch operation, inadequate observation, absent automatic stops and lessons on lift oversight and stopping unsafe work.
- 202417 Oct
Capsize of recreational craft Wheelyboat 123 with the loss of 2 lives
Investigation of Wheelyboat 123’s fatal capsize on Roadford Lake examines bow-ramp leakage, accumulated deck water, loading and wheelchair movement. It assesses maintenance, driver training, risk assessments and unsuitable flotation provision. Physical flotation tests, numerical stability modelling and computational fluid dynamics inform recommendations for safer operation of craft carrying wheelchair users.
- 202425 Sep
Injury to little finger – LTI
A painter broke a little finger when an auxiliary winch drum rotated back during cleaning and trapped it against an improvised wooden securing beam. The flash examines lone execution of a two-person task and inadequate task-specific assessment, recommending suitable securing methods, appropriate permits and stopping unsafe work.
- 20243 Jun
UK MAIB: Leg injury while mooring
This safety flash recounts a leg injury during unmooring when a messenger line snagged and wound onto a winch drum, tightening around a worker’s leg. It highlights excessive line length and restricted operator visibility, with lessons on keeping clear of moving machinery and maintaining sight and communication during remote operation.
- 202430 Apr
UK MAIB: Crew member injured by rotating crank handle – LTI
A tug crew member suffered a fractured wrist when a coupling winch’s attached crank handle spun as tensioned barge lines were released. The flash examines failure to remove the handle under the operating procedure, restricted supervisory visibility, dynamic risk assessment and toolbox talks, noting that CCTV could help.
- 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.
- 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.
- 20233 Oct
LTI – worker fractured arm during mooring line handling
A crew member suffered a fractured left forearm when a mooring rope struck them during barge unmooring preparations. A tripped winch message was misunderstood as an all-stop signal, prompting additional coiling on a bollard while the barge moved. Lessons emphasise clear communications and further mooring and line-of-fire training.
- 20233 Oct
Serious hand injury during mooring operations
A dock worker sustained a serious hand injury while removing a mooring rope from a bollard during vessel departure preparations. The flash describes insufficient slack, rising tension at the winch and absent messenger or tail lines. It highlights inadequate planning and risk assessment, hand positioning and readiness to stop unsafe work.
- 202324 Jul
BSEE: Overhaul Ball falls to deck resulting in High Potential near miss
A safety flash describes a 350 kg crane headache ball falling 8 m during decommissioning and well abandonment, landing less than 60 cm from a rigger. A snag above the load cell masked slack developing during a blind lift. Recommendations address snag identification, slack detection, crew communication and lift planning.
- 202310 Mar
Overhaul Ball Crashes to Deck Resulting in High Potential Near-Miss Fatality
During decommissioning and well abandonment, a snagged wedge socket released a 700-pound crane headache ball, which fell 24 feet near a rigger. The alert examines misleading load indication and blind-lift communications. BSEE recommends considering snag-point assessment, secondary slack detection, verified load movement, toolbox discussions and safe-zone planning.
- 20238 Mar
Khamsin Drillship Fatality (update)
A drillship crewmember died after a stuck hydraulic torque wrench, tensioned with a hydraulic utility winch, released upwards and struck him during riser bolt removal. The alert identifies training, communication, design and oversight shortcomings, and recommends operators and contractors consider improved job analysis, training, stop-work intervention and observer responsibilities.
- 202318 Jan
LTI - Finger injury during davit test
During rescue-boat davit testing, a winch brake failure caused the craft to fall, trapping a crew member’s hand between a tensioned painter rope and a handrail. The flash describes serious finger injuries, inadequate supervision and toolbox communication, and lessons on rope handling, protective equipment and specific launch and test procedures.
- 2023Jan
CHIRP Superyacht FEEDBACK 1 (January 2023)
This first superyacht incident digest examines backstay entrapment, tender grounding, unfamiliar steering controls, unsafe recovery from the water, an uncontrolled anchor chain and a fatal jet-ski collision. Commentary addresses communication, equipment familiarisation, control testing and the pressures that undermine captains’ safety decisions, alongside crew welfare and medical support.
- 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.
- 202216 Dec
Persons overboard from prawn trawler Reul A Chuain with loss of 1 life
Investigates two falls overboard from the prawn trawler Reul A Chuain in the Sound of Rùm, resulting in the skipper’s death. Examines unsecured net stowage, manual recovery in heavy weather, absent restraint arrangements, flotation device use, cold-water survival and improvised winch recovery. Identified risk controls and practical emergency drills had not been implemented.
- 20222 Dec
Failure of a suspended buoy on workboat Annie E with 1 person injured
Investigation of a grid buoy failure that injured a deckhand aboard Annie E at a Scottish fish farm. It examines worn components, a missing washer, unsuitable lifting arrangements, inspection omissions and exposure beneath a suspended load. Manufacturer instructions, work procedures, induction and fall prevention are assessed; subsequent actions prompted no recommendations.
- 202216 Nov
Semi-submersible MODU Total Failure During Severe Weather Event
During severe weather on a semi-submersible MODU, an anchor winch chain lifter fractured under chain tension, releasing the anchor and tail chains to the seabed. Metallurgical analysis found a manufacturing cavity extending over approximately one-third of the cross-sectional circumference, reducing wall thickness to around half that of the unaffected portion.
- 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.
- 202214 Jul
IOGP: Squeezed hand due to unintentional activation of winch
A crewman’s hand was squeezed between a railing and structure after he grabbed a rope moved by unintended auxiliary winch activation. The flash identifies workplace design, unidentified operational risk, incomplete role descriptions and training gaps, and recommends design improvements, disconnecting redundant levers, competence assurance and task-specific risk communication.
- 202214 Jul
Mooring deck accident on general cargo vessel Teal Bay with loss of 1 life
Investigation of a fatal mooring deck accident aboard Teal Bay during ship-to-ship grain loading at Kavkaz South anchorage. A tensioned spring line escaped an open roller fairlead during warping. The report examines upward line leads, shared fairlead use, insufficient crewing, planning and risk assessment, and delays in coordinating medical evacuation.
- 20224 Jul
American P&I Club: Extreme bollard pull
A container vessel’s four bow lines overloaded a single dock bollard through their self-tensioning winches after crane obstruction prompted a departure from normal mooring practice. The bollard failed, but spring lines limited vessel movement and nobody was injured. The flash highlights bollard capacity checks and assessment of changed mooring arrangements.
- 20224 Jul
LTI – Struck when anchor wire end pulled free of drum clamps
A crew member suffered skull fractures when an anchor wire whipped over a winch drum during wire replacement. Vessel movement tensioned the wire connected to a shoreside spooler; stoppers failed and loosened clamps released the end. The flash examines inadequate risk assessment, stopper arrangements and missing safety chains, stressing better planning.
- 202231 May
USCG: Exceeding electrical duty rating can lead to failure
A rescue-boat winch continued hoisting after its motor contactor fused because its duty rating was exceeded. Crew isolated power before the boat contacted the davit. The flash relays USCG recommendations to check contactor condition, compare duty ratings with recovery practices, verify safety-device design and train operators in power isolation.
- 20219 Dec
Failure of 64mm polyester rope in subsea mooring operations
A 64mm polyester rope parted while subsea equipment was being lowered, following overload from unsynchronised crane and deployment-winch movements. Nobody was injured, but equipment was damaged. The flash examines missed operator concerns, simultaneous operations and unused stop-work authority, and describes tension indication, improved coordination and retraining in existing procedures.
- 202118 Nov
Shackle failure during over-boarding of pennant wire and ballast chain
A shackle failed while ballast chain and pennant wire were being over-boarded from an anchor-handling winch. Released chain damaged nearby equipment, with nobody harmed. Evidence suggested the shackle nut became trapped in a chain link. The account identifies shortcomings in connection arrangements, maintenance, risk assessment and management-of-change documentation.
- 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.
- 20219 Sep
Immobilisation and flooding of dredger Shearwater following repeated collisions with unmanned barge Agem One
Investigation of Shearwater’s immobilisation and flooding near Kinlochbervie while towing Agem One. Towline fouling disabled propulsion, and repeated barge collisions breached the hull. The report examines towing suitability, crew competence, passage planning, HMPE tow arrangements, bilge pumping and regulatory oversight. The initial towline failure’s precise cause remained undetermined.
- 202111 May
Crush incident on scallop dredger Olivia Jean with loss of 1 life
Investigates a fatal head injury aboard scallop dredger Olivia Jean during attempts to free snagged dredge gear. The engineer was probably struck by a towing bar swinging inboard. Analysis examines deck supervision, restricted winch-operator visibility, language barriers, training, risk reassessment and weak safety management, alongside subsequent actions and recommendations.
- 20214 Mar
Line of fire: deck tugger wire failure
During back-fill plough recovery, a chain sling failed under increasing tension and recoiling rigging narrowly missed deck personnel. The flash identifies unclear communication of a changed hauling method, uncertain operational responsibilities and failure to follow safe-zone requirements. Actions address toolbox talks, procedural compliance, management of change and shared understanding of tensioned-line hazards.
- 202111 Feb
Crane whip line parted during hook stop testing
During auxiliary winch hook-stop testing, uncontrolled hoisting caused a headache ball to strike the crane jib, snap the wire and fall with the rigging to deck. Corroded speed encoders and poor wire condition were identified. The flash addresses rope examination, encoder maintenance, management of change and start-up risk assessment.
- 202111 Feb
Failure of remote control/emergency stop on rescue boat winch
During rescue-boat recovery, remote control and emergency-stop functions failed, and the limit switch did not stop retrieval. Inspection found a contactor stuck closed; frequent short switching intervals were considered the most probable cause. The flash emphasises correct retrieval procedures, component inspection and replacement, and regular emergency-stop function testing within planned maintenance.
- 202119 Jan
Dutch Safety Board: Fatality when mooring line snapped
This safety flash summarises a fatal mooring-line recoil aboard RN Privodino while entering a lock. It examines transfer between winch drums while the vessel was moving, communication failures and restricted supervision. Lessons address vessel positioning before tensioning lines, supervisors’ workload and changing snap-back danger areas.
- 20205 Oct
Lifeboat Failures and Damage Occur During Maintenance
Two Gulf of Mexico lifeboat incidents during maintenance testing and inspection involved brake and winch failures, and platform contact damaging a gripe plate. Neither incident injured personnel. The alert recommends that operators consider maintenance assurance, contractor oversight, post-work verification, entry checks and maintenance pendants, alongside review of launching conditions and procedures.
- 202020 May
Man overboard from dredger Cherry Sand with loss of 1 life
These annexes bring together maritime medical fitness standards, UK Dredging transfer risk assessments, Cherry Sand’s mooring instructions and a new-joiner induction form. They address eyesight testing, physical capability, boarding unmoored vessels, mooring-line handling and winch operation, with requirements for bridge permission, briefings and protective equipment.
- 202028 Apr
Near miss: Dropped clump weight
A clump weight fell approximately 30 m to the deck, landing around a metre from a rigger after unintended tugger winch activation pulled rigging against a sheave and released a wedge socket connection. The flash examines control positioning, changed rigging arrangements, risk assessment and management of change.
- 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.
- 201925 Oct
Safety Alert 369 - Non-OEM Parts Were Significant Causal Factors in Two Recent Loss of Control of Traveling Block Incidents
Two travelling-block incidents involved incorrect non-OEM parts: a broken brake assembly pin in 2019 and improperly sized drill-line clamps and bolts in 2017. The alert recommends that operators consider drawworks inspections, manufacturer-aligned maintenance, verification of critical component dimensions and materials, and management-of-change review for non-OEM parts.
- 201916 Jul
Dropped flexible pipe incident
A six-tonne riser test piece fell approximately 23 m when a laced round sling slipped during reversal of a lift. Nobody was injured. The flash identifies incorrect sling configuration, absent change management and inadequate preparation, and highlights intervention, equipment checks, hazard assessment and clear rigging guidance.
- 201916 Jul
High potential near miss: Dropped object during piggyback drilling operations
A safety flash describes inadvertent sample-winch activation during piggyback drilling. An 11 kg overshot snagged on a ladder safety hoop, separated from its wire and fell approximately 8 m, without injury or damage. Lessons address console ergonomics, design risk assessment, familiarisation assessment and preventive maintenance documentation.
- 20195 Jul
LTI: Foot injury after standing on rotating winch drum
An able seaman sustained a fractured foot and severe abrasions after standing on a rotating tugger winch drum during wire re-spooling. His boots limited injury severity. The flash highlights unrecognised winch hazards, inadequate risk assessment and absent intervention, with actions focused on hazard identification, assessment reviews and stopping unsafe work.
- 201913 May
Weight dropped to the seabed narrowly missing diving bell
A winch wire trapped during preparation to launch an air-diving recovery system parted, dropping a 300 kg clump weight near a saturation diving bell and deployed divers. No injury or equipment damage occurred. The flash identifies missing pre-use checks, restricted drum visibility and loose-wrap design issues, recommending checks, visibility and drop-zone identification.
- 201920 Mar
Near miss: Winch wire snagged and released suddenly
A land-based drilling near miss involved a winch-wire thimble snagging on the rig chassis while the mast was raised. Increasing tension bent the thimble, releasing the wire and hoist plug near the driller. Lessons address safe wire positioning, snagging checks, routine-task complacency and reviews of procedures and risk assessments.
- 201925 Jan
Safety Alert 345 - Sprag Brake Clutch Failure Leads to Near Miss
A crane winch failure dropped a construction box back onto a vessel’s deck, narrowly missing a deckhand. Testing revealed intermittent load-holding failure and sprag brake clutch slippage. The alert recommends considering operational checks, periodic disassembly, oil analysis, warm-up procedures and avoidance of shock loading.
- 201821 Dec
High potential near miss: anchor brake failure
A potentially fatal dry-docking near miss involved an anchor brake spindle failure following anchor recovery. Seized linkages imposed bending forces on the spindle; the devil’s claw opened and an unsecured guillotine failed to arrest the cable. Actions addressed inspection, lubrication, replacement retention arrangements and exclusion zones.
- 2018Oct
MAIB Safety Digest 2/2018
A collection of marine accident lessons covering merchant vessels, fishing boats and recreational craft. Cases examine navigation errors, flooding, machinery failures, fires, scalding, overboard emergencies and carbon monoxide poisoning. Discussion addresses electronic chart checks, alarm use, maintenance, risk assessment and practised emergency procedures, with appended rescue-line and yacht-keel safety bulletins.
- 201825 Sep
Serious Injury from Rotating Winch
During wire spooling on a crane tugger winch, a worker placed his foot beyond a handrail and a rotating anchor block struck his boot, amputating all five toes. Findings identified inadequate task risk assessment, deficient toolbox discussion and absent guarding. Actions reinforced hazard identification, safety-control review and stop-work authority.
- 201827 Jul
Finger injury caused by falling wire wedge
During crane winch-wire replacement, a 15 kg wedge fell and trapped a crewman’s right hand against the deck, injuring two fingers. The flash identifies an absent holding point and grease-contaminated gloves, and describes an alternative technique using an upward-facing wire eye to support the wedge during tightening.
- 201810 Apr
Man overboard from potter Enterprise with loss of 1 life
MAIB investigates a fatal entanglement during self-shooting of pots aboard Enterprise near Scarborough. A moving backrope dragged a deckhand overboard after he left a safe area. The report examines potting procedures, unsuccessful recovery using the pot hauler, flotation limitations and distress-radio arrangements. No recommendations were made.
- 201831 Jan
Snapped mooring line
A stern mooring line jammed in a winch storage drum while a vessel entered a port lock, then parted under tension as the vessel moved forward. No crew were struck. The flash emphasises pre-mooring briefings, equipment checks, clearing jammed lines and communication between stations and the bridge.
- 201721 Dec
Finger injury while using a crowbar to try to shift a large shackle
A crew member injured his right ring finger when a crowbar slipped during shackle connection in anchor handling. The flash identifies inadequate pinch-point recognition and improper tool use, recommending capstans or tugger winches for repositioning and manual work only once rigging is safe and free of residual tension.
- 201725 Oct
High potential dropped object near miss: Steel ferrule failure
A tugger-hoist wire termination failed while supporting a basket, dropping the pennant assembly and wire into it without injury. The flash identifies ferrule failure at a Flemish eye and recommends checking crimping and condition. The specified 20mm ferrules should be round, while other sizes and suppliers may use hexagonal ferrules.
- 2017Oct
MAIB Safety Digest 2/2017
Marine accident cases draw lessons for merchant vessels, fishing boats and recreational craft. They examine fires, collisions, lifting failures, falls, entanglement, flooding and emergency recovery. Practical discussions cover navigation aids, risk assessment, drills and equipment integrity. An appended safety bulletin examines low-sulphur marine gas oil waxing and cold-temperature fuel testing.
- 20176 Sep
Grounding of semi-submersible rig Transocean Winner after the loss of tow from tug ALP Forward
Investigation of Transocean Winner’s grounding off the Isle of Lewis after loss of tow from ALP Forward. Analysis examines weather-driven loss of control, deteriorated wire rope, catenary and shock loading, missing windage information, passage planning and emergency towing limitations. Recommendations address towing procedures, reporting and tow-line maintenance.
- 201725 Jul
Unsafe mooring practices
A vessel inspection identified ropes attached to mooring winch levers for improvised remote operation. The flash highlights unintended activation, crew entanglement and inadequate winch control. It recommends sufficient personnel supervised by a certified officer for equipment handling, communications and directing the winchman.
- 201715 Jun
Failure of mooring line on board LNG carrier Zarga with 1 person injured
Investigates a spring-line failure during Zarga’s repositioning at South Hook LNG terminal, seriously injuring the mooring officer. Destructive testing, microscopy and modelling examined jacketed HMPE rope degradation and snap-back. Findings address axial compression fatigue, line–fairlead compatibility, misleading safe areas, supervision and ineffective inspection and retirement arrangements.
- 20172 Jun
LTI: Tugger winch incident (MSF)
An experienced Able Seaman suffered a crushed foot while using a tugger winch to secure cargo aboard a platform supply vessel. The rotating barrel and wire securing bar trapped his foot against the support plate. A protective frame was subsequently fitted to prevent recurrence.
- 201712 Apr
Lost time injury (LTI): Leg injured while dealing with vent flaps
A crewman suffered a fractured leg when a ventilation-flap crank handle detached and struck his shin. Continued winding had reopened the flap. The flash identifies defective safety locks, inadequate handle securing, confusing instructions and insufficient maintenance, and records actions addressing training, task risk assessment, repairs and instruction accuracy.
- 2017Apr
MAIB Safety Digest 1/2017
A multi-case digest draws preventive lessons from merchant shipping, fishing and recreational boating accidents. It examines navigation, vessel flooding, fires, machinery injuries and people entering the water, with particular attention to unnecessary risk-taking, equipment suitability, maintenance, risk assessment and effective casualty recovery.
- 201629 Nov
Lifeboat launch capability compromised
This safety flash describes scaffolding erected for subcontractor access around a lifeboat’s aft winch chain. A worksite visit identified an opening too small for the winch block and a supporting pole beneath the boards, both of which would have hindered launching or descent.
- 20163 Nov
Man overboard from creel fishing vessel Annie T with loss of 1 life
Material accompanying the Annie T fatal man-overboard investigation addresses potting hazards, recovery arrangements and lifejacket use. It describes unused working lifejackets and an unsuccessful hauler recovery attempt. Annexed guidance examines rope separation, pot sequencing and drills, while a broader review evaluates flotation-device campaigns, casualty evidence and regulatory approaches.
- 20163 Nov
Man overboard from stern trawler Apollo with loss of 1 life
Investigation of a fatal fall overboard from Apollo during net hauling in rough seas near Orkney. It examines an exposed stern ledge, shooting-pole removal, unimplemented risk controls, absent flotation protection and cold-water incapacitation. Recovery attempts and inadequate practical drills inform recommendations for safer deck work and realistic casualty recovery exercises.
- 201618 Oct
Unsafe method of rope work resulted in severe hand injury
An Able Seaman suffered injuries to three fingers while spooling a mooring line onto a tugger winch before arrival in port. A slipping crowbar trapped his fingers against a roller. The flash identifies an unsafe spooling method, absent risk assessment and toolbox talk, and his being new aboard.
- 201612 Oct
Collision between the stern trawler Karen and a dived Royal Navy submarine
Investigation of a submerged Royal Navy submarine snagging Karen’s trawling gear in the Irish Sea. It examines mistaken acoustic classification, passive-sonar limitations, passage appraisal, warp and winch behaviour, and the crew’s response. Restricted access to primary evidence limited causal findings; recommendations address submarine procedures, training and fishing-vessel guidance.
- 20166 Oct
Man overboard from twin rig trawler Aquarius with loss of 1 life
Investigates a fatal overboard accident east of Aberdeen during trawl-warp marking aboard Aquarius. A fibre-rope stopper failed, causing the warp to tighten and throw a crewman into the sea. Analysis examines stoppering practice, absent flotation protection, inadequate recovery preparation, fragmented rest, risk assessment shortcomings and poor onboard safety culture.
- 20167 Jul
Capsize and sinking of scallop dredger JMT with loss of 2 lives
Investigation of JMT’s fatal capsize and sinking examines reduced stability following conversion to scallop dredging, asymmetric gear handling after a winch breakdown, and survival arrangements. It compares stability assessment methods, scrutinises inspection and regulatory gaps, and recommends stability awareness training and Wolfson freeboard marks.
- 20164 Jul
Stored pressure release near-miss: Small part expelled from hydraulic winch
A hydraulic winch expelled a sensor and approximately two litres of oil during wire-rope installation. Findings identified reversed hydraulic hoses, improper commissioning, unauthorised testing and missed handover issues. Recommendations address crew communication, formal testing authorisation, risk assessment, pre-use checks and defining equipment condition before planned maintenance.
- 20166 May
First aid injury: Person struck by wire under tension
A crew member suffered minor abrasions when a slack tagging wire became taut during preparations to transfer an inline tee between vessels. The flash examines constant-tension winch operation, control-panel design, supervision and training deficiencies, and presents recommendations on equipment testing, risk assessment, staffing and emergency-stop placement.
- 2016Apr
MAIB Safety Digest 1/2016
Marine accident case studies cover merchant vessels, commercial fishing and recreational craft, examining navigation, fatigue, flooding, fires, machinery entanglement and overboard emergencies. Lessons address risk assessment, training, maintenance and emergency preparation. A reproduced bulletin examines premature failure of jacketed synthetic mooring ropes and limitations of internal condition assessment.
- 20168 Mar
Capsize and sinking of twin-rig prawn trawler Kairos
Investigation of Kairos’s capsize and sinking while recovering a lost prawn trawl in very rough seas west of the Isles of Scilly. Computer-based stability analysis examines creeper-wire loading, deck swamping and probable downflooding through vents. The report also considers skipper decision-making, abandonment and the successful recovery of all five crew.
- 20167 Jan
High potential near-miss: Failure of both divers’ breathing air supply and dive stage recovery winch
A diving near miss involved entanglement with a submerged winch exhaust hose weight, restricting the diver’s breathing supply and stalling the recovery winch. Emergency gas and use of the clump weight winch enabled safe recovery. Corrective actions addressed hose positioning, weight attachment, umbilical testing and deck risk assessment.
- 201515 Dec
Near-miss: corrosion-related failure of bolts used to secure lifeboat winches
A vessel inspection revealed severed lifeboat winch foundation bolts, including failures concealed by paint. Metallurgical examination attributed the failures to intergranular corrosion of an unsuitable alloy. The member replaced the bolts and introduced fleet-wide replacement requirements using galvanised grade 8.8 fasteners, with five-yearly replacement linked to lifeboat load testing.
- 201510 Dec
Capsize and sinking of stern trawler Stella Maris
Investigation of Stella Maris’s capsize and sinking east of Sunderland examines insufficient stability during cod-end lifting, a high gantry and excessive winch power. It evaluates modification oversight, flooding, liferaft arrangements and distress alerting, comparing simplified stability methods with a sister-vessel inclining assessment. Both crew were rescued uninjured.
- 20157 Dec
Fatality during loading operations
A crew member was fatally trapped between cargo items when heavy seas shifted unsecured loads aboard a vessel after back-loading from a drilling rig. The flash examines open-stern vessel suitability, released tugger-winch tension and gaps in coordination and risk assessment, and records reviews of weather guidelines, cargo procedures and lashing plans.
- 2015Oct
MAIB Safety Digest 2/2015
A compilation of 25 marine accident articles shares lessons for merchant vessels, fishing boats and small craft. Cases examine collisions, grounding, mooring casualties, fire, flooding and people entering the water. Lessons address supervision, briefings, navigation equipment, lifejacket reliability and emergency preparations, with additional analysis of synthetic mooring-line recoil.
- 201521 Sep
Lost time injury (LTI): Rigger struck by rigging under tension
A rigger suffered left-arm fractures when a snagged ROV hook beak parted during winch hoisting, sending rigging upwards during clump-weight deployment through a vessel’s moonpool. Preliminary findings address routine-task risk perception and management of change. Further actions include reviewing hook suitability, crew positions, task procedures and risk assessments.
- 201510 Aug
Mooring line failure resulting in serious injury
A deck officer suffered serious head injuries when a forward spring line parted and recoiled during efforts to reposition a berthed vessel in gusty winds. The flash describes repeated winch stalling and slipping, the officer’s position near a roller fairlead, and subsequent MAIB trials measuring mooring-line elongation and snap-back behaviour.
- 20154 Jun
Accident to skipper of scallop dredger Ronan Orla with loss of 1 life
MAIB investigates fatal winch entanglement during single-handed scallop dredge recovery aboard Ronan Orla off north Wales. The exact snagging mechanism remained inconclusive. Analysis examines poor winch condition, inaccessible controls, absent emergency stops and lone-working risks, with recommendations addressing safety training and fishing-vessel self-certification.
- 20152 Apr
MSF: Routine task – Badly cut finger changing mop head
A crew member cut his left index finger while using a pocket knife to remove glue during mop-head replacement, requiring surgery for tendon and nerve damage. The flash highlights unmanaged task changes. Additional supplied pages discuss a winch-brake failure with an uncertain cause and manufacturer checks for brake release and load transfer.
- 20152 Apr
Winch brake failure
An ROV winch brake failure released approximately 800 m of umbilical in less than 90 seconds, followed by a motor fire; nobody was injured. Analysis suggested a probable secondary brake release-line blockage, without establishing a definitive cause. Manufacturer checks addressed release-pressure decay and motor-to-brake load transfer.
- 20153 Mar
Capstan wire parted during deployment of anchor buoy
A capstan wire parted while an anchor buoy was dragged on a vessel’s deck during the fourth anchor drag test; nobody was injured. Findings included insufficient wire capacity, flange abrasion and absent between-test inspections. Lessons address tugger use, wire routing, pre-test checks, risk assessment and crew training.
- 201512 Feb
Accident while emptying catch from dredges on scallop dredger Wanderer II with 1 person injured
Investigation into a deckhand’s serious hand injury during scallop dredge emptying aboard Wanderer II. It examines rope entrapment at a whipping drum, inaccessible winch controls, training and risk-assessment shortcomings. The report discusses rope guides, captive-drum conversion and arrangements for trained operators and crew communication.
- 201410 Dec
Super Puma Sea Impact During Night Approach to Offshore Platform
Investigation of G-REDU’s sea impact during a night approach to ETAP examines crew misperception, approach monitoring, unavailable height warnings and survival arrangements. Recorded flight data, avionics memory extraction, simulations and specialist illusion analyses inform findings. All occupants were rescued uninjured; recommendations address approach procedures, warning systems, evacuation and rescue equipment.
- 201410 Dec
Super Puma Winch Cable Failure During Casualty Recovery
An AAIB investigation examines a Super Puma winch cable failure during casualty recovery from a fishing vessel offshore near Sumburgh. Microscopic examination identified mechanical damage to most strands, possibly sustained across the vessel’s bow. The casualty and winchman remained on deck and were successfully recovered using the secondary winch.
- 201425 Nov
Failure of bell winch clutch coupling during bell recovery
A worn winch clutch disengaged during saturation bell recovery, allowing the partly submerged bell to descend to 10 msw without injury. The flash examines component wear, brake operation and maintenance omissions, and describes coupling visibility improvements, wear measurements, alternating motors and revised inspection and maintenance arrangements.
- 201425 Nov
Hydraulic umbilical winch operation – trapped thumb
A vessel winch operator trapped his thumb between a guard and drum while recovering hydraulic power hoses from subsea. The investigation identified incorrect operator positioning and variable guard gaps. The flash describes planned additional guarding and safety tape, and calls for ongoing guarding reassessment and stopping work as required.
- 2014Oct
Collision between multipurpose cargo vessel Rickmers Dubai with a crane barge, Walcon Wizard, being towed by tug Kingston
Investigation of Rickmers Dubai’s collision with the crane barge Walcon Wizard while overtaking Kingston and its tow. It examines navigation and lookout failures, reliance on AIS information displayed on ECDIS, towing-light visibility, and emergency towline release limitations. The gob rope prevented Kingston from capsizing; no injuries or pollution occurred.
- 2014Aug
Capsize and sinking of beam trawler Sally Jane
Investigation of Sally Jane’s capsize and sinking in Christchurch Bay while beam trawling. Probable unequal net loading and derrick geometry contributed to stability loss; unsecured hatches accelerated flooding. The report examines stability information, winch operation, liferaft escape and beacon failure. Both crew members survived with mild hypothermia; no recommendations were issued.
- 201431 Jul
Safety Alert 313 - Snake Grip Failure on Drill Line
A drill line escaped its snake grip during block stringing on a Gulf of Mexico platform rig, striking the winch operator. BSEE identified inadequate degreasing and incorrect securing methods as contributing factors. Recommendations address manufacturer instructions, grip sizing, cable preparation, proper clamps, winch speed and keeping personnel clear of drop zones where possible.
- 201417 Jul
Main ROV lift umbilical parted
An ROV recovery incident involved a parted lift umbilical, with the vehicle and tether management system falling to the seabed and later being recovered. Investigation identified unrestricted winch pull with a short, thin umbilical and malfunctioning latches. Corrective actions addressed latch indications and procedures limiting pull below umbilical breaking strain.
- 201414 Jul
Lost time injury (LTI): Winch base plate failure
During pipeline offloading from a vessel to shore, winch base-plate welds failed, throwing the operator and seriously injuring his knee and lower leg. The flash examines replacement of a constant-tension winch, unresolved deflection and tension-measurement limitations, with corrective actions addressing change management, weld testing, procedures and load-cell calibration.
- 2014May
MAIB Safety Digest 2014 — Fishing edition
A fishing-focused collection of accident accounts and practical lessons covering overboard emergencies, entanglement, flooding, stability, navigation and equipment integrity. Cases examine trawl wires, winches, enclosed-space pump exhaust and vessel alarms, alongside recovery arrangements, flotation equipment, inspection, fire drills and first-aid training.
- 201421 Mar
High Potential Incident – Struck by Dropped Object
During plough recovery, a chain guide and two sheared securing bolts fell approximately two metres while a pennant was being spooled onto an anchor handling winch. The guide struck a crew member’s hard hat and chest, causing superficial injuries. Assessment using the Drops Calculator indicated potentially fatal consequences.
- 201419 Feb
Air Winch Line Caught in Derrick Fingers Results in an Employee Being Pulled Off of the Rig Floor
An alert describes an air winch line trapped in derrick fingers during installation of a fill and circulation tool. After the tool was lowered to unload the cable, an employee freeing it was pulled off the rig floor, struck his head on the V-door edge and fell to the ground.