A very lucky escape

While preparing to embark a sea pilot at an exposed anchorage off a north European port, a ship's crew was rigging a pilot combination ladder. During the operation, a seaman stepped on the platform at the bottom of the accommodation ladder section, and it tipped over, throwing him overboard. The OOW immediately released the man-overboard lifebuoy and marker from the bridge wing.

Though the seaman fell on the lee side, due to the prevailing 20 knot wind, sea conditions were fairly rough and cold. The seaman was without a life jacket or protective clothing except for dark coveralls but being fit and a good swimmer, managed to reach the lifebuoy.

Before the ship's staff could recover the seaman from the water, the pilot launch arrived on the scene and successfully rescued him. Remarkably, he was only wet and cold, but suffered no injury. A very lucky escape, as without a flotation aid, PPE or safety line, this incident could easily have been a fatality.

The master later admitted that the bottom platform had been recently damaged and the ship's staff had repaired it by welding an aluminium insert.

Lessons learnt

1. Appropriate PPE must be worn before commencing any task. This includes flotation aids, lifeline or fall-arrestor and thermal wear, if appropriate;
2. Aluminium welding requires special equipment, materials and skills, without which such repairs can pose a serious safety hazard.