Life%20Boat%20Drill%20Results%20in%20Fatality
515 West Greens Road, Suite 900 Houston, Texas 77067-4525 281-874-0035 21-Aug-2007 No.HSE07-019
Life Boat Drill Results in Fatalities CONFIRMATION PROCESS: IN COUNTRY-Each rig to submit one F0559, Action Confirmation to the Area Office. AREA OFFICE- Area Office shall submit (1) F0559, for entire area to Houston Fax# 281-775-8443
Page 1 of 2 F0727 (1) WHAT HAPPENED: During a Rig evacuation drill, a lifeboat was inadvertently released from its davit hooks resulting in the deaths of two workers and the injury of two others. The rig personnel followed procedures by donning their life jackets and proceeding to their muster stations located adjacent to the lifeboat area. The Fire Team donned their fire suits and attended a simulated fire at the mud pits. Three to five minutes later, the abandon rig alarm was sounded. The Fire Team made their way to the muster stations. The Mechanical Supervisor entered lifeboat No.1 and the Toolpusher entered lifeboat No. 2. Both engines were started without any problems. The life boat engines were run for approx. five minutes. The Mechanical Supervisor turned off the engine in lifeboat No. 1 without any problems. He stepped out of the lifeboat to participate in the muster count. The Toolpusher in lifeboat No. 2 was unable to turn off the engine. He stepped to the lifeboat entrance hatch and called for help. The Rig Manager and the motorman entered lifeboat No. 2 and made their way to the control console at the aft end of the lifeboat. A roustabout stayed outside the lifeboat by the entrance hatch. The Toolpusher walked towards the bow of the lifeboat. The motorman was positioned and seated at the lifeboat control console with the Rig Manager standing beside the console. The Toolpusher heard the Rig Manager shout “cuidado” (watch out). The bow of the lifeboat dropped until it was in a vertical position swinging from the safety pennant attached to the aft end of the lifeboat. The roustabout waiting at the entrance of the lifeboat hatch lost his balance and fell into the sea. The aft end of the lifeboat split away from the main body of the lifeboat and the lifeboat fell into the sea upside down with three persons inside. HOW DID IT HAPPEN:
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The on-load davit hook release mechanism was activated. ?
Lack of familiarity in the operations of a lifeboat. ?
Only one maintenance/safety pennant was installed on the lifeboat. ?
The lifeboat davit hook is designed for a straight or vertical pull. When the forward end of the lifeboat descended, the load retained by the safety pennant on the aft hook exceeded the design load and the transom of the lifeboat split from the hull. ?
Poor planning in evacuation drill. ?
Situation was not covered by procedures. ?
Lack of Supervision during drill exercise. ? Hook mechanism labeling needs improvements.
21-Aug-2007 No.HSE07-019
Life Boat Drill Resulted in Fatalities
Page 2 of 2 CORRECTIVE ACTIONS:
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Conduct on-site training on lifeboat usage. Utilize video training provided by life boat manufacturer, as well. ?
Conduct on-site training for the Coxswains to familiarize themselves with the use of lifeboats. ?
Improve the existing labels with bilingual signs stating the purpose of the hook release mechanism. ?
Lifeboat engines will not be started during abandon rig drills. This maintenance task will take place during normal maintenance periods. ?
Work instructions and procedures will be revised. ?
The safety pennants must be installed and physically checked prior to entering the lifeboat. ?
The safety pennants must remain attached until the lifeboat is ready to be launched to abandon the platform. ?
Two designated persons, one at the bow and one at the aft end, will release these safety pennants when given the command from the Coxswain prior to releasing the brake and lowering the lifeboat.
RMS AND OTHER REFERENCES:
RMS-ME, Marine Emergencies Manual RMS-OO, Offshore Operation Manual RMS # 3, Level 3, HSE-WI-7.2, Life Saving Appliances & Offshore Evacuation