Ship’s Officer Suffers Crushed Leg in Crane Operation

A man on board the survey and supply vessel Kommandor Orca had a harrowing experience when his orange overalls got caught in the rack and pinion track of the deck crane, according to a report. The Filipino officer inadvertently caused the crane to speed up while trying to maintain balance by holding onto the controls. His cries for help alerted a colleague who found him trapped with his left leg pinned under the machinery.

After being rescued, the man was airlifted to a hospital where his leg had to be amputated below the knee. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) report revealed that the crew had been using an emergency crane control panel due to faults with the recommended controls. The report concluded that the second officer had been following his training but operated the crane from an exposed position without proper safeguards.

The vessel’s owner, Hays Ships, expressed regret over the incident, noting it was the first of its kind in 20 years. They promptly implemented corrective measures to prevent similar accidents in the future. The report highlighted the importance of adhering to safety protocols and ensuring that equipment is used as intended to prevent such tragic incidents from reoccurring.

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