201717 Improper hook-on leads to incident

As edited from Marine Safety Forum Safety Alert 16-15

A supply vessel was working alongside an offshore installation carrying out cargo operations which included the discharge of a small cargo basket. After unhooking the previous back-loaded cargo unit the deck crew ‘walked the crane’ approximately 15 metres and hooked on a cargo basket. They then left the area and the crane began to take the strain. As the slack was being taken up the lifting bridle caught under the lid of the basket. The crane driver noticed the lifting bridle snagging and lowered the load. Unfortunately, both deck crew had walked away from the basket in different directions and neither was observing the lift. Neither was therefore aware that the lifting bridle had snagged, nor could they see each other to highlight the problem.

After a short time both crew members made their way back to the basket and cleared the lifting bridles. They then stood clear in a safe haven nearby while the crane took up the slack, but once again the lifting bridle caught on the lid, this time buckling the lid and exposing the cargo inside.

All involved, both on the vessel and on the installation, were reported as being experienced in platform support vessel (PSV) operations.

Lessons learned
- Good communication between deck crew and crane operator is essential. Repetitive work cycles can leave workers complacent. Complacency eventually leads to accidents.
- The operation and difficulties encountered were witnessed by at least three individual parties (the deck crew, the vessel’s bridge team and the installation), but no-one stopped the job.
- ‘Walking the crane’ (or more precisely the hook) is not best practice. Allow the hook to be repositioned directly over the load, have it lowered, hooked on and then lifted.