Near miss – Two dropped objects (MSF)
- Safety Flash
- Published on 25 July 2019
- Generated on 18 March 2026
- IMCA SF 18/19
- 1 minute read
The Marine Safety Forum (MSF) has published Safety Alert 19-08 relating to two dropped object incidents on the same vessel. Both events had the potential to cause major or fatal injuries to vessel deck or installation crew involved in lifting operations.
What happened?
In the first incident, on a vessel engaged in offshore backloading operations, the lifted load came into contact with an adjacent lifted load on the same vessel. A part weighing 3 kg detached from the load and fell to the deck.
In the second incident on the same vessel at a different offshore installation, the crane operator noticed something on top of the lift after it had landing.
He decided to retrieve the lift for further investigation but as it was hoisted, the movement caused one of the pieces to fall off the lift onto the deck.
The vessel deck crew identified two scaffolding poles approximately 1.9 m in length and weighing 10 kg each.
Dropped objects from cargo can be searched for in the IMCA safety incident database by entering terms such as ‘dropped, cargo’.
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.