A Bosun was handling a corrosive chemical. Wore gloves, boots, apron and face protection to pour chemicals from drum to bucket, took off all protective clothing then carried the open bucket along the deck. Tripped and suffered chemical burns to face. Temporarily blinded.
An Engineer was drilling a small plate, using his hand as a substitute for a clamp. He slipped and drilled though his hand.
An Engineer was equalising out fuel tanks but operated the wrong valve causing a spill. (When interviewed, the manager pointed out to the Engineer that had this happened in US waters, the Company and the individual could have been heavily fined. The Engineer responded by saying that he would have been more careful in US waters.)
Lead acid battery used to stop/start auxiliary engines. Engineer found that battery could not maintain charge so used jump leads. Incorrectly wired the jump leads, which cause the hydrogen gas inside the battery to explode. Engineer suffered shrapnel wounds.
Whilst running at night in unmanned machinery space mode, service air failed and, amongst other effects, caused the fire flaps to shut. As a consequence, the main engine starved of air and the engine room depressurised. Attending Engineers had difficulty in opening gastight door against partial vacuum. When they eventually got a door partially opened with crowbars, it slammed shut on an Engineer’s hand, severing it at the wrist.
On a port approach, the Captain took a short cut even though this closed the safe distance with a shallow patch. Speed went from 27 knots to zero when the ship hit the shallow patch. He had deviated from the planned track without discussing this with anyone else.
Chief Officer handed over to Navigating Officer at watch change during complex but routine collision avoidance manoeuvre in Dover Straits. Visibility reduced but Captain was not advised (despite clear instruction in standing orders). Navigating Officer became confused by crossing fishing vessel ‘weaving’ across traffic lane. He later admitted he could have used engines but was scared to because ‘it would have alerted the Captain who would then have wanted to know why he hadn’t been called for the reduced visibility’. Struck & sunk fishing vessel.
During a Management Company seminar, it became apparent that there were some misconceptions regarding the role of AIS. The manager then conducted a survey of all Navigating Officers and found that 90% considered that it was primarily to be used for collision avoidance.
