Report on investigation of marine accident mv Star Java - IMO no 9310513 occupational accident in Squamish 18. august 2008

While working to secure the crane, the ship’s boatswain was crushed between the end stop for the crane’s trolley and the railings up on the walkway as the crane’s outriggers were swung in. None of the other persons who were up on the crane at the time of the accident observed the incident, but the ship’s management was notified as soon as it became clear that the boatswain had been crushed and first aid measures were implemented immediately. The ship’s management also called for medical personnel from ashore, who arrived quickly. Despite the steps taken, it was not possible to save the boatswain’s life.

In accordance with its terms of reference, the AIBN has conducted a safety investigation in an attempt to clarify the course of events and identify the underlying causes of the accident with a view to making safety recommendations that may prevent similar accidents in the future.

The investigation of the accident on board MV Star Java has therefore been limited to matters surrounding the actual accident that occurred in one of the ship’s cranes in connection with securing work. Focusing on these matters, the Accident Investigation Board has identified safety issues concerning the design of the crane not providing for the safety of personnel to a sufficient extent. Safety issues have also been found to exist in the form of inadequate risk assessment and hence inadequate procedures for work process organisation, leadership and communication when the ship’s cranes are being secured.

The Accident Investigation Board submits three safety recommendations in this report. These are addressed to the crane manufacturer with respect to the design of the gantry crane, the shipping company with respect to work organisation, supervision and communication during securing of the ship’s cranes and the authorities with respect to rules and regulations for the design of cranes in general.