Safety lapses lead to man overboard incident

As part of its Safety Video Series, India’s Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) recounts the tragic man overboard incident onboard the Proteus Harvonne, a Singapore-registered tanker, at Ulsan Anchorage, South Korea, on 24 May 2024, to present the errors and draw best practices regarding Man Overboard incidents.

As informed, the DGS safety video series will complement its circulars and advisories by sharing lessons learned from incidents. All Maritime Training Institutes (MTIs), RPSL companies, ship-owners, operators, managers, and relevant stakeholders must ensure that these videos are immediately accessible to seafarers, trainees, and new joiners.

The videos are to be integrated into Learning Management Systems (LMS), pre-sea and post-sea training, and safety induction programs. Viewing them is mandatory for all new joiners during induction or before joining a vessel, and MTIs and RPSL companies must include them in their compulsory training modules.

The Incident

As shown in the video, it was the morning of 24 May 2024. The Singapore-registered tanker Proters Harbour had arrived at Ulsan Anchorage, South Korea, the previous evening. Having completed bunkering and picking up stores overnight, the vessel was conducting a routine change of command, riding on her starboard anchor. The vessel was heading north in moderate to heavy north-northeasterly swell and 17-knot northeasterly winds. Visibility was moderate, while a one-knot current was setting to about 337 degrees.

At around 08:49 hours, the outgoing master began descending the starboard combination ladder to a waiting service boat. He wore no life jacket and carried a backpack.

As he descended, a powerful swell rocked the ladder. The master gripped the ropes tightly, but the motion, combined with the weight of his backpack, caused him to lose his footing. His hand slipped, and he plummeted into the water below, backpack pulling him down.

The master stepped towards the service boat deck while it was still away. When a swell pushed the boat away at the critical moment, he was completely off balance and tumbled sideways into the gap.

The chief mate immediately informed the bridge, shouting, “Man overboard! Man overboard! Man overboard!” From the deck, the able seafarer and pump man threw three lifebuoys, one with a buoyant lifeline and two without.

The master, surfacing in the water, clung to a lifebuoy without a line and grabbed a rope thrown by the service boat deckhand. The boat could not haul him aboard. The swell slammed the hull, nearly pulling him under. He held on for about 10 minutes, but exhaustion set in, and he went limp, face down in the waves.

The bridge team marked the man overboard position on Ectis and broadcast VHF distress calls to Ulsan VTS and Korea Coast Guard.

The rescue boat was launched at 09:15 hours, but rough sea conditions prevented recovery. By 09:30 hours, the Korea Coast Guard arrived, launched their rescue boat, entered the water, and pulled the master onto the boat. CPR began immediately en route to shore. He reached Ulsan University Hospital at 10:08 hours and was pronounced dead at 10:39 hours, suspected drowning.

Safety issues

Analysis of the incident found that the fall stemmed from unassessed risks:

1. Rough conditions on the windward side, with no lee created.
2. SMS failures: the outgoing master did not comply with life jacket and backpack rules.
3. The chief may not have used the Stop Work Card.

Rescue was swift but thwarted by sea conditions. The death was from suspected drowning. The incident highlighted a lack of safety culture.

Best practices 

The company responded with fleet-wide alerts and updated procedures:

• Use of lee sides.
• Mandatory life jackets.
• Prohibition of backpacks during transfers.
• Enhanced risk assessments.
• Adverse weather transfer training.

Additional best practices emphasized:

• Prioritize risk assessments.
• Evaluate sea state.
• Avoid transfer in rough weather.
• Enforce PPE strictly. Life jackets are non-negotiable.
• Empower Stop Work Authority.
• Train realistically for rough conditions.
• Three-point contact on ladders and handholds.
• Speak up if unsafe, follow approved procedures to the letter.

Key reminder: No deadline or difficult sea condition is worth a life. Two lives were lost in a similar incident, a stark reminder that one mistake at sea can cost everything. Safety is the only way home.

source : safety4sea