Ensuring safe embarking and disembarking is essential

Getting on and off a vessel sounds simple, but get it wrong and you could be in deep water.

A contractor working on a vessel fell into the water whilst disembarking due to the gap between the wharf and the vessel, as a safe means of access to the vessel was not provided.

The contractor was completing work on a vessel alongside a wharf and was preparing to disembark with a tool bag, however there was a one-metre gap between the vessel and the wharf and no means of safe access was provided.

The contractor leaned over the side of the vessel to place a heavy tool bag on the wharf, with the straps of the bag wrapped around their arm.  Unfortunately, while the contractor was stretching across, the tool bag fell from the wharf.  The contractor’s arm was trapped by the tool bag handles, and they were dragged over the side and into the water.

The contractor managed to free their arm and surface before swimming to the stern of the vessel and climbing onboard.

This example shows how a lack of safe access can rapidly escalate into a life-threatening incident.

The risk is increased by any weight being carried by the person and the likelihood of striking their head or limbs between the wharf and vessel on their way into the water.

Under AMSA’s national maritime safety law, the owner and master are responsible for ensuring safety for all people, including contractors, boarding a domestic commercial vessel.

In addition to the marine safety law, workplace health and safety regulations require that the risk of falls in general needs to be addressed including falls when boarding and disembarking a vessel. As such, the means of access to and from the vessel should be risk assessed and covered by a procedure as part of the vessel’s safety management system.

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