Safety Flash
Winch brake failure
Winch brake failure
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 05/15
- Hot Work and FireInspection and MaintenanceMachinery and EquipmentMarine Operations
- FireMechanical failure
- Inspection and maintenanceROV operations
- Remotely operated vehicleWinch
- Evacuation, escape and rescueFire protectionFunctional testingEnergy and process isolation
- Marine industry
- SubseaVessel
Summary
An ROV winch brake failure released approximately 800 m of umbilical in less than 90 seconds, followed by a motor fire; nobody was injured. Analysis suggested a probable secondary brake release-line blockage, without establishing a definitive cause. Manufacturer checks addressed release-pressure decay and motor-to-brake load transfer.
Classifications: Fire; fire safety.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: ROV operations; remotely operated vehicle operations.
Classifications: Remotely operated vehicle; ROV; underwater robot.
Classifications: Winch; winches.
Classifications: Evacuation, escape and rescue; EER; escape and rescue.
Classifications: Fire protection; fire suppression; fire detection.
Classifications: Functional testing; function test.
Classifications: Energy and process isolation; isolation; energy isolation.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Subsea; underwater worksite.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
A member has reported an incident in which an ROV winch brake failed, leading to the uncontrolled movement of an ROV as approximately 800 m of umbilical ran off the winch drum in less than 90 seconds.
IMCA SF 05/15. Themes: hot work and fire, inspection and maintenance, machinery and equipment, marine operations.