201608 Gangway away
The pure car carrier was berthed starboard side to. A pilot boarded and was in the pre-departure briefing with the Master and bridge team when it was reported that the gangway had fallen. Although the wire had been replaced in the last six months, the gearbox had failed and the gangway had crashed to the berth below. Fortunately no one was on the gangway when it failed and the incident resulted only in equipment damage and a minor delay in departure.
-Never linger unnecessarily on a gangway.
-Although gangway wires are an obvious maintenance item, gangway gearboxes and motors should be inspected annually.
