ROV free-fall incident
- Safety Flash
- Published on 2 May 2005
- Generated on 3 April 2025
- IMCA SF 07/05
- 2 minute read
A Member has reported an incident which resulted in a work-class remotely operated vehicle (ROV) free-falling approximately 10 metres into the sea during a recovery operation.
What happened?
No injuries occurred and only minor damage was sustained by the ROV, but the incident could have been severe with possible loss of life or damage to the vessel if the fall had occurred at a different stage of the recovery operation, or in bad weather conditions.
What were the causes?
Our Member’s site investigation revealed that the fall was caused by a lapse in the procedures used to safely recovery ROVs, probably due to complacency because of the stillness of the weather and over-confidence, due to the large number of times that the process had been completed. A contributing factor to the incident may also have been the fail-safe condition of the docking device.
The umbilical snapped at the outlet to the sheave block and is suspected to have failed due to a combined over tension from both the umbilical winch and the initial movement of the A-frame inboard. A block-to-block position with the lifting wire meant that the docking device was pulled by the umbilical to a non fail-safe position and subsequent snapping of the umbilical prevented the docking device from capturing the ROV again in time to prevent its fall.
Actions
The following actions were recommended as a result of our Member's investigation:
- Further investigations into the design of the docking device to improve its fail-safe features.
- Verification of the strength of umbilicals via destruction testing of a cut-back on a yearly basis.
- Review of launch and recovery procedures to verify risk assessments.
- Improved training of personnel specifically aimed at launch and recovery scenarios.
- Review of lifting equipment to instigate visual indicators (colour banding, flags, lights, etc.) to represent the safe working areas and warn of ‘danger zone’ operational envelopes.
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.