Watkins Yachts

Happy Hours

admin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:31:34 +0000

This Company noted that a significant majority of their accidents and incidents occur between 1100 and 1200 hours and between 1600 and 1700 hours. Various causes are being investigated including a hunger factor and rushing to get the job done before meal times.

Car Care

admin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:31:05 +0000

Grounding under pilotage in an English River – floated off and struck another ship on berthing. Captain claimed pilot spent most of the journey on the VHF arranging his car journey home (as they have been doing for at least 30 years). Lack of situational awareness of tides by Captain. No reference of tides in passage plan and Captain did not show any willingness to intervene in pilot’s activities.

Hotwork

admin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:30:22 +0000

Three separate burn injuries to Engineers. In all cases, they had not allowed pipe or valve to cool down before starting work.

Taking A Nip

admin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:30:01 +0000

A first trip Deckhand tried to nip a runaway mooring rope round a hatch dog thread and lost two fingers. Poor training and supervision.

Greased Lightening

admin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:29:34 +0000

Heavy weather off Come-By-Chance and ice accretion. Crew decided to wash down with hot water. Oil sheen caused by washing off greased wires. Seen by Canadian Coastguard and boarded in next port. Fined under Protection of Wildlife Act. Had it been under Oil Pollution Act, fine would have been considerably more.

Fatal Fall

admin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:28:55 +0000

Deckhand working aloft on accommodation front fell from stage and died when the stage gantline failed. Not wearing a harness. Inspection showed the manila gantline appeared sound but on inspection had been severely degraded.

Ropes had been stowed in forecastle near chemical stowage.

Gangway Collapse

admin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:28:18 +0000

Gangway collapsed and fell to the water. Investigation showed the gangway wire was poorly lubricated and stowed with the wire under tension, which had reduced the effect of the grease in areas over the roller leads.

Eye Care

admin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:27:48 +0000

Serious penetrating eye injury – partial loss of sight, caused by no eye protection when using a wire brush.

Squeamish Chef

admin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:27:29 +0000

Cook cut finger. Fainted at sight of blood. Hit head on stove and suffered head injury

Malaria

admin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:26:31 +0000

This Company had a seafarer who died from malaria 4 days after leaving the vessel. Trading West Africa. Has made tablets available at meal times, but can’t force the crew to take them. Has now made ‘refusal to take anti-malarial medication’ a dismissible offence and all must sign daily for tablets.