Safety Flash
ROV winch failure
ROV winch failure
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 09/01
- Inspection and MaintenanceLifting OperationsMachinery and Equipment
- Mechanical failure
- Inspection and maintenanceROV operations
- Remotely operated vehicleWinch
- Exclusion zonesPositive retention and reliable securingPreventive maintenance
- Upstream oil and gas
- Offshore installation
Summary
An ROV launch on a semi-submersible drilling rig ended in uncontrolled winch payout after gearbox bearing failure ejected the output shaft. Input-side braking remained functional but could not control the drum. Nobody was injured. Actions initiated included quarterly gearbox oil analysis and retrofitting retaining plates to similar winches.
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: Exclusion zones; red zones; restricted access zones.
Classifications: Positive retention and reliable securing.
Classifications: Preventive maintenance; preventative maintenance; planned maintenance.
Classifications: Upstream oil and gas; oil and gas extraction; upstream petroleum.
Classifications: Offshore installation; offshore platform; offshore rig.
Summary
A gearbox bearing failure caused an ROV winch to free-fall, leading to umbilical run-off and retrofit and oil-monitoring controls.
IMCA SF 09/01. Themes: inspection and maintenance, lifting operations, machinery and equipment.