Fatal fall from tug Svitzer Moira
- Safety Flash
- Published on 9 November 2016
- Generated on 18 September 2025
- IMCA SF 30/16
- 1 minute read
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published a report into a fatal accident when a crew member fell and was crushed as the tug Svitzer Moira was being manoeuvred alongside an unmanned tug at Royal Portbury Dock, Bristol, on 29 December 2015.
The MAIB summary highlights the following key issues:
- No toolbox talk took place – the job was deemed as routine by the crew and assumptions were made. A toolbox talk, prior to any hazardous task, is a good opportunity for all crew to have an input, and to ensure all share the same common goal
- The engineer was not wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) at the time of this tragic accident, though it is unlikely that its use would have changed the outcome.
- The investigation found shortcomings in the oversight and control of deck operations and lapses in the use of PPE, indicative of a significant divergence between company instructions and working practices on board that had not been corrected by shore management.
The full report can be down loaded from assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/57f61875ed915d06fd000021/MAIBInvReport19-2016.pdf.
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.