Lifting basket with unsecured cargo which fell out

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 12 June 2020
  • Generated on 7 December 2025
  • IMCA SF 18/20
  • 1 minute read

What happened?

A cargo basket containing equipment was to be lifted from the vessel deck to an offshore installation.

The crane on the offshore installation was unable to lift the load, resulting in the basket dropping back to deck and some of the equipment sliding out the basket onto the vessel deck.

A cargo basket containing equipment was to be lifted from the vessel deck to an offshore installation. The crane on the offshore installation was unable to lift the load, resulting in the basket dropping back to deck and some of the equipment sliding out the basket onto the vessel deck.

basket with unsecured load

A cargo basket containing equipment was to be lifted from the vessel deck to an offshore installation. The crane on the offshore installation was unable to lift the load, resulting in the basket dropping back to deck and some of the equipment sliding out the basket onto the vessel deck.

equipment slid out of basket during lifting

What were the causes? / What went wrong?

  • There was no inspection by deck crew on basket acceptance. The unsecured cargo inside the basket was neither noticed nor reported.
  • The weight of the load as understood in information received was 1800 kg; but the actual load weighed 4000 kg.
  • Whilst the unsafe condition was identified during basket hooking process, the Stop Work Policy was not applied by the vessel crew.

Latest Safety Flashes:

Vessel ran aground

A vessel on a short voyage ran aground while navigating through a narrow channel at low tide.

Read more
Fire in the engine room – fuel spray fire

A fire broke out on the starboard main engine due to a leak from the fuel pipe connection.

Read more
Fire hazard: missing splash tapes on fuel hose connections

It was observed that several engine fuel hose connections were not fitted with splash tapes.

Read more
Dropped pallet during cargo transfer

A plastic pallet loaded with plastic lube oil drums fell while being hoisted.

Read more
Positive – Enhancing safety communication through digital monitors

All crew and office personnel have 24/7 access to essential safety and operational updates.

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.