Topic
Security
Protection against unauthorised access and deliberate harm.
Documents
- 202615 Apr
Unauthorised boarding and theft from vessel at anchor
This safety flash describes theft from crew cabins after unauthorised night-time boarding of an anchored vessel. It identifies inadequate vigilance, unsecured accommodation access and insufficient deck monitoring. Lessons address watchkeeping, locked non-emergency doors, security rounds, Ship Security Plan compliance, crew briefings and security drills.
- 202522 Dec
Safety zones and the area to be avoided guidance note
Guidance for commercial fishing vessel owners and operators on entry to offshore safety zones and the Bass Strait Area to Be Avoided. It explains consent and authorisation routes, statutory offences and maximum penalties, and provides a decision flowchart addressing vessel exemptions, registration, flag, dimensions and operational purpose.
- 202415 Apr
BSEE Safety Alert 483 - Scam Alert-Suspicious Requests for Payment
BSEE warns of possible government impersonation scams seeking payment of fines. The alert distinguishes suspicious demands from genuine civil penalty procedures, explaining operator responsibility, prior notification and authorised payment channels. It also directs recipients of suspicious requests to BSEE’s Office of Public Affairs.
- 202419 Mar
Security: Illegal boarding – theft while the vessel at anchor
A knife-armed intruder boarded an anchored vessel in Luanda, Angola, and fled by skiff after a security patrol raised the alarm. The flash examines boarding vulnerabilities and unimplemented precautions, highlighting security briefings, coordination with nearby vessels and port control, radar vigilance and consideration of improved access barriers.
- 2023Jan
Hydrogen Sulfide Release
This fatality alert describes hydrogen sulphide poisoning that killed a worker responding to a pump alarm and, later, his spouse at an oil production facility. It examines defective gas detection, missing detector-use policies, inadequate isolation arrangements and visitor access, alongside recommendations for lockout/tagout, ventilation assessment and detection-system assurance.
- 202121 May
Aghorn Operating Inc. Waterflood Station Hydrogen Sulfide Release
This investigation summary examines a fatal hydrogen sulphide release at an Odessa waterflood station that killed an employee and his spouse. It identifies a broken pump plunger, while leaving failure timing unresolved, and examines detector nonuse, missing lockout procedures, inadequate ventilation, detection and alarm failures, and deficient site security.
- 201928 May
Theft from vessel at anchor
Thieves boarded a vessel anchored at Callao, Peru, and stole mooring ropes. Entry via the anchor chain and a poorly fitted hawse pipe cover was considered most likely. The flash describes inadequate watch coverage and subsequent improvements to securing arrangements, forepeak surveillance, rope storage and visible vigilance.
- 20182 Oct
Robbery at anchor – vessel security
This flash describes a night-time robbery aboard a vessel anchored in Indonesian waters. Intruders accessed the engine room by cutting a padlock and stole auxiliary engine spares; no crew were injured. It identifies an unmaintained deck piracy watch and recommends pre-arrival security briefings and awareness of maritime security threats.
- 201811 Jul
Preventing unauthorised access onto scaffolding and other work platforms
HSE alert addressing public access to construction scaffolds, particularly by children, and associated falls from height. It sets out site assessment, perimeter and local fencing, bottom-lift ladder removal and ladder-guard requirements. It also addresses scaffold contracts, security reviews and maintaining designated fire escape routes from occupied buildings.
- 2018Apr
Measurements & Site Security
Inspection questions address liquid hydrocarbon and gas production measurement, royalty and allocation meters, sampling arrangements, proving and calibration. They cover run tickets, production commingling approvals, record retention and tank requirements. Site-security checks address theft, tamper-evident seals and meter bypasses, with regulatory authorities and enforcement actions listed alongside individual checks.
- 201712 Jul
Attempted Robbery During Transport Results in Medical Attention
An employee travelling towards Lagos airport was attacked with a knife during an attempted phone theft while the transport vehicle was held in slow traffic. Assailants broke both rear windows. The employee moved forward, and police cleared traffic for hospital treatment of multiple deep lacerations.
- 20163 Oct
Consequences of launching a drone from a vessel in the Suez Canal
A drone launched to photograph a vessel transiting the Suez Canal was confiscated with its memory card, and the vessel was detained pending further investigations. The flash discusses possible national-security concerns and recommends compliance with local drone regulations, with official use requiring agreed authority and company permission.
- 2011Sep
Oil Tank Safety Study
This investigative study examines public exposure to explosions at oil and gas production storage sites, drawing on three investigations, a wider incident compilation and a community survey. It reviews regulatory and industry-standard gaps, unauthorised access, hazard signage and safer tank designs, including floating roofs, pressure-vacuum relief valves, flame arrestors and vapour recovery.
- 2008Sep
Plant Security — Process Safety Beacon, September 2008
This bulletin links security vigilance in chemical storage and processing facilities to protection from deliberate harm. It asks personnel to identify and report vulnerabilities in perimeter fencing, gates, lighting and locks, follow plant security procedures, wear required identification and avoid lending access cards.
- 20051 Mar
Floating ignition source drifts near to production platform
This safety flash describes rafts carrying lit cooking gas tank sets, deployed by fishing boats to attract fish, drifting towards gas production platforms. It highlights ignition hazards and fishing boats breaching a 500 metre safety zone. Suggested responses include monitoring, increased security watches, communication with fishery groups and discussions with authorities.
- 20042 Aug
Disguised transportable gas cylinders
This safety flash relays reports of deliberately disguised gas cylinders from various locations worldwide. Some acetylene cylinders were labelled as oxygen cylinders and had their valves replaced. It points to an EIGA alert on recognising modified cylinders and recommends bringing its identification methods to the attention of people handling them.
- 20041 Jun
Shore leave
Two offshore personnel suffered serious injuries in separate assaults during shore leave in European ports. Neither victim behaved aggressively. The flash describes a company request for gangway warning notices, recommending personnel avoid going alone, unlit areas and confrontations, and reminding them of the company alcohol policy.
- 20031 Jul
Mugging and robbery
An employee returning to a vessel from Port of Spain accepted an unofficial lift and was robbed at gunpoint, beaten and held prisoner. He escaped during a distraction. The company advised employees to use official taxis, go ashore with a buddy and remain alert to their surroundings.
- 20031 Jun
Robbery at gunpoint
An employee needing roadside motoring assistance accepted help from strangers who then robbed him at gunpoint. The flash presents company advice on advance journey planning, vehicle familiarity and carrying a company mobile telephone, alongside police guidance on remaining calm, co-operating and observing details during a robbery.
- 20031 Apr
Security of shipping in the Mediterranean and Middle East
This flash relays NATO information on Mediterranean maritime security, including expanded patrols, surveillance, authorised boarding of suspect merchant ships and escorts through the Straits of Gibraltar. It also directs members to shipping-reporting information for Suez Canal transit, while noting that no immediate terrorist threat intelligence was reported.
- 20021 Jan
Drugs tampering
A member reported tampering with an onboard plastic ampoule containing either morphine or pethidine. All or some of the drug was removed through a needle hole, replaced with clear liquid and the hole concealed. The flash highlights careful inventory and pre-use checks, and possible reconsideration of security arrangements.
- 20011 Oct
Vessel and port security
Two stowaways were discovered in a rigging container aboard a construction vessel travelling from the Shetland Islands to the Hoton Field. The flash describes their handover to authorities and company recommendations on preventing unauthorised embarkation, securing containers, alerting marine agents and increasing crew vigilance during port calls and routine searches.