Fast rescue boats (Zodiac)

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 2 April 2001
  • Generated on 22 February 2025
  • IMCA SF 06/01
  • 1 minute read

One of our members has recently reported an incident on of its vessels, whereby a rigger crushed his hand between the zodiac and the structure. 

A similar incident was known to have happened on another company’s vessel, where the rigger also received a hand injury.

The similarity between the two incidents is striking, since both involved a zodiac connecting lines, which is a routine job carried out by experienced crew.

The company concerned noted that the majority of incidents on its vessels happen when:

  1. doing routine jobs
  2. using experienced crew (mainly riggers); and
  3. using standard equipment and methods.

The company has noted the following lessons learned from the incident:

  1. Be alert.
  2. Think before you act.
  3. Do not take anything for granted.
  4. If necessary, perform a job safety analysis.

Latest Safety Flashes:

Crew transfer vessel (CTV) drifts onto turbine tower

A CTV drifted into and hit a nearby structure at 0.5 knots.

Read more
LTI: Fall from height during FRC maintenance

A worker fell 2.3 m to deck from a small boat in the davit, and broke a leg as a result. 

Read more
Near miss: narrowly avoided fall from height due to missing deck gratings

After a grating was removed, the Chief Engineer, on the way to inspect the work, nearly fell 4-5m.

Read more
MSF: A broken stretcher could have led to injury

The Marine Safety Forum (MSF) published Safety Alert 24-09 relating to a broken stretcher.

Read more
Positive story: Excellent galley hygiene and housekeeping

On a walk-around audit, a member highlights very high standards of housekeeping and hygiene in the galley on one of its vessels.

Read more

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.