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• In a recent accident, ship’s provision crane lower maintenance platform extension got detached and collapsed with a crew member standing on the extension.

• The above provision crane was subjected to periodical testing and inspections by competent third-party in accordance with International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No.152 and quarterly inspections by the ship’s crew in accordance with the ship’s Preventive Maintenance System.

• Upon examination during Administrator’s marine safety investigation, it was determined that:

1. The welds for all three of the brackets attached to the main platform had failed.
2. Heavy corrosion was observed on the main platform where all the three brackets were attached.
3. The ship’s crew reported that the corrosion was not visible prior to the extension
4. Welds lacked full penetration.

• Based on the above, Administration vide Marine Safety Advisory No. 23-19 (copy attached) has recommended that ship managers:

1. Inspect the maintenance platforms for cranes fitted on-board the ships in their managed fleet to determine if they include any portion that is supported by brackets as those shown in Figure 1 of the attached MSA 23-19. If they do, ship managers should ensure that:

• the connections are inspected to determine if they show any indication of damage or deterioration;
• any potential damage or deterioration is reported and corrected as soon as possible;
• if only brackets such as those shown in Figure 1 of the attached MSA 23-19 are used to connect any part of the maintenance platform to the crane, to consult with the crane manufacturer regarding recommendations for reinforcing the connection and to make the required modifications as soon as possible
• ship’s staff do not use the platform until any required modifications or repairs are completed; and
• the maintenance and inspection procedures for shipboard cranes are reviewed and, if necessary, revised to ensure that the connections are subject to regular inspections.

2. Review and, if necessary, revise the safe work procedures in their Safety Management System to ensure that as part of the pre-task planning for any work aloft, near, or over the ship’s side includes the identification of appropriate strong points for attaching safety lines or fall arresters.

• Ship Owners, Operators and Masters are advised to be guided by the attached Circular.

Enclosure:  

1. RMI Marine Safety Advisory No. 23-19.

Disclaimer:

This Technical Circular and the material contained in it is provided only for the purpose of supplying current information to the reader and not as an advice to be relied upon by any person. While we have taken utmost care to be as factual as possible, readers/ users are advised to verify the exact text and content of the Regulation from the original source/ issuing Authority.

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