Fatal accident involving a horizontal watertight sliding door
- Safety Flash
- Published on 1 January 2001
- Generated on 6 July 2025
- IMCA SF 01/01
- 2 minute read
We have been notified of a fatality on a vessel when a crew member became trapped between the door and door frame of an automatically actuated, horizontal water-tight sliding door and succumbed from his injuries as a consequence.
What happened?
In conflict with the existing procedure the victim did not fully open the watertight door before passing through. By not opening the door fully but partly the victim put himself in a dangerous situation with no time to correct the situation safely.
Our member drew the following conclusions:
This incident has highlighted the hazards involved with this type of door which, by necessity of their water tight functionality, are not provided with devices to prevent full closure in case of an obstruction being located between the door and the door frame.
The watertight doors were in accordance with the Rules of the Norwegian Maritime Directorate (NMD/MOU) as well as the IMO/SOLAS requirements and the instructions of the Flag State from Lloyds Register of Shipping.
The Operation Instructions of the watertight doors were posted on each watertight door.
Recommendations
It is recommended that the presence and functionality of this type of door and associated hazards be communicated to all personnel onboard vessels involved in offshore operations. There should be an adequate procedure for the operation and use of these doors and personnel should be instructed to strictly adhere to the procedure.
This is one of a number of reports we have recently received on incidents involving watertight doors. IMCA is currently collecting information from members on incidents and on appropriate legislation/guidance in this area and will disseminate further details in due course.
IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.
The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.
All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.
IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.
The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual's or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.
Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.