Report Highlights Unsafe Operations in Fatal Crushing Incident Aboard Vessel

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) recently published a report on a tragic crush incident that occurred on board the ro-ro cargo vessel Clipper Pennant in Gladstone Dock, Liverpool, England on July 20, 2021. The incident resulted in the fatal crushing of the vessel’s bosun while working on the vehicle deck during the loading of semi-trailers. The bosun was marshalling a semi-trailer into a corner space when the accident occurred, with the driver disconnecting the tractor unit and driving away without noticing the incident. The bosun was found trapped between the semi-trailer and the vessel’s structure shortly after.

The report highlighted that the banksman was fatally crushed while standing in an unsafe area in the path of an approaching semi-trailer. The driver of the tractor unit failed to monitor the banksman’s position, assuming they would stay clear of the advancing semi-trailer. The bosun’s decision to stand in an unprotected walkway inside the vehicle lane also contributed to the accident. Additionally, the loading operation was unsupervised, as the crew did not continuously monitor each other’s positions on the vehicle deck.

The MAIB’s investigation revealed widespread deviations from safe working practices on vehicle decks in the ferry industry. Local procedures and guidelines did not align with actual practices, and there was a lack of common standards. The report also identified shortcomings in tractor unit driving standards at the port, with some unsafe practices being tacitly accepted as normal. As a result, the MAIB issued several safety recommendations to industry bodies, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, and specific ferry operators to improve vehicle deck safety, develop national occupational driving standards, and enhance organizational safety culture. A safety bulletin was also published to advise operators to review cargo handling procedures and identify hazards associated with stowage areas with limited means of escape.

Source