Published: 6 Jul 2009
Union warns members of lifeboat dangers after fatality in Middle East, while another crew member dies doing dockworkers crane work in China
One person been declared dead upon arrival to the hospital, one is in critical condition, and five have been injured after an accident involving a lifeboat in the offshore industry in an unnamed Middle East nation in June. "This is definitely worth including in any delegates OH&S or training courses and may be worth showing at the monthly meeting," said Garry Keane, MUA, Port Kembla. "We know our members have been advised not to ride the lifeboats but this may help prevent any complacency setting in."
According to the accident description report on June 09, at around 1400 hrs in calm seas, AD22 launched its starboard lifeboat with seven crew on board for a sea trial test.
The lifeboat was successfully launched and sailed for 20 minutes. At the conclusion of the test, it was re-connected to the davit pendant lines for recovery and stowing.
After a short load test out of the water, the boat was winched / hoisted by the crew. But when the lifeboat was approximately 2 feet from stowing position, the aft pendant hook released, swinging the lifeboat onto the foreword pendant, before falling 65 feet into the ocean.
Worker killed in crane collapse
Meanwhile Fairplay reports Shangai police were last investigating the collapse of a ship's crane, in which a worker was crushed to death.
It's suspected that improper use of the crane on the 43,434dwt Chinese bulker Linghai is the suspected cause of of the fatality. The crew was offloading cargo themselves, work meant to be reserved for trained dock workers.
Fairplay reports two cranes collapsed at the same yard last year after improper use, also killing a worker.
And a worker was killed in a welding accident at Shanghai's Hudong Zhonghua shipyard, while three coworkers narrowly escaped death also this month.
