SAFETY BULLETIN

ACCIDENT DURING MOORING OPERATION

GENERALITIES

Accident Location: Saipem Offshore Vessel, United Kingdom

Date of the accident: 17th of July, 2012
Type of activity: Mooring operation
Personnel involved: Saipem

ACCIDENT BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The mooring operation of the cargo barge along the Vessel was completed and the mooring
lines had been fastened and secured. The injured person, tow master, was assigned to
coordinate the operation of changing the cargo barge’s stern bridle of the towing arrangement
with a polypropylene rope.
At the moment of the accident, the injured person was alone at the stern of the barge. While
waiting for the work team to arrive, he went to check the stern bridle arrangements.
Uncontrolled movement of the barge caused the starboard stern mooring line to move from its
position causing impact to the handrail posts. Two of the posts together with the temporary
handrail were dislodged from their initial position and moved towards the injured person’s
location, striking him. He fell and sustained a head injury which rendered him unconscious.

The stern of the

cargo barge where
the accident occurred

Position of the
mooring line below
the deck level
before the accident

Piles to be
discharged

For further details contact Saipem QHSE Department – HSE Reporting Page no. 1
 SAFETY BULLETIN

The mooring line

and handrail’s posts
which struck the IP

IP’s
helmet
Accident
after the
accident location

CAUSES OF THE ACCIDENT

• The uncontrolled movement of the barge caused the mooring line to become tensioned and,
consequently, to change its position.
• The Risk Assessment for mooring operations includes the mooring of the cargo barge at the
bow of the Vessel, for the jacket installation with the proper control measures, but does not
include the mooring at the starboard side, with different mooring arrangement, for the piles
transfer.
• The Job Safety Analysis does not include port side mooring and removal of the stern bridle.
The JSA mentioned in the Permit to Work refers only to mooring of cargo barge at the Vessel’s
at the bow.

CORRECTIVE ACTIONS

• Establish a formal check on the final position of the mooring lines to a barge, with
confirmation of safe access to the work area.
• Review the procedure for the cargo barge’s mooring operation.
• Revise the Risk Assessment and Job Safety Analysis, in order to ensure correct and safe
practices during mooring operations at the stern.
• Ensure proper safe systems of work preparation prior to task and that all personnel involved
in any work activity are familiar with them.
• Refresh the training on Safe Systems of Work for all supervisors.

For further details contact Saipem QHSE Department – HSE Reporting Page no. 2