SAFE T Y
Briefings
MAIB report: Man overboard from potting vessel Pioneer with loss of 1 life On the morning of 29 July 2021, the
skipper of the UK registered potting vessel Pioneer (NN200) accidently entered the water as the vessel was heading back to its beach standing in Hastings, England. Pioneer’s sole deckhand was unable to pull him back on board and the skipper was later recovered from the water with the help of a rescue helicopter’s winchman and airlifted to hospital, but he could not be revived.
The MAIB investigation found that Pioneer had a low bulwark at its aft deck, which did
not prevent the skipper’s fall into the water. At the time of the accident neither the skipper nor deckhand were wearing a personal flotation device, although two were available on board.
Critical safety equipment was either missing, incorrectly fitted or out of date. There were no risk assessments held on board, emergency drills had not been practised and the skipper had not undertaken mandatory risk awareness training. Collectively, these deficiencies indicated that Pioneer was being operated with a low standard of safety management at the time of the accident.
Conclusions Safety issues directly contributing to the accident that have been addressed or resulted in recommendations
1. The low bulwark around the aft deck offered little protection from falling overboard, and the skipper was not wearing a tethered safety harness to mitigate the risk of falling overboard.
2. The lack of an effective means of recovering an unconscious person and the absence of MOB drills impeded the deckhand’s ability to recover the skipper from the water. Other safety issues directly contributing to the accident
1. The skipper’s fall into the water was not observed but could have been the result of the vessel’s movement, a slip or trip, or a non- fatal heart attack.
2. The skipper died because of immersion in the water leading to a heart attack and dry drowning. 3. The skipper was not wearing a PFD and it would have taken considerable effort to remain afloat in the developing swell.
4. The skipper had a pre-existing heart condition, which combined with the effect of cold-water shock may have affected his ability to respond to this accident.
5. The skipper had not completed the Safety Awareness and Risk Assessment course and so may not have had a full appreciation of the risks associated with his vessel’s operation.
U.S.C.G. releases Lithium Battery Guide for shippers
The United States Coast Guard has published a helpful compliance resource, Lithium Battery Guide for shippers. The publication aims to assist shippers to safely package lithium cells and batteries for transport by all modes, including vessel shipments, with new regulatory requirements based on cell or battery configuration as well as Watt-hour (Wh) rating.
As described in the guide, the transport of lithium cells and batteries via vessel can be subject to both the domestic regulations and the International Code for the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) that may require additional actions. Both publications should be consulted based on shipment route.
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https://bit.ly/423e7eI. THE REPORT | MAR 2025 | ISSUE 111 | 29
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