Safety Flash
Near miss: Vessel approach to wind turbine tower
Near miss: Vessel approach to wind turbine tower
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 10/21
- Human FactorsIsolationMarine Operations
- Human factorsLine of fire
- NavigationPersonnel transfer
- Operator displays and control interfacesRotating machinery
- Alarm managementEnergy and process isolationOperating and work proceduresSafety communication
- Marine industryOffshore wind
- Vessel
Summary
Two near misses involved turbine nacelle movement during vessel approaches for offshore personnel transfer. Neither caused harm. The flash examines autonomous-mode selection, cable unwinding and alarm resetting, alongside inadequate warnings, verification, procedures and communication. It explains why turbine STOP mode is necessary for safe docking and transfer.
Classifications: Human factors; human performance; ergonomics.
Classifications: Line of fire; struck-by hazards.
Classifications: Navigation; vessel navigation; passage planning.
Classifications: Personnel transfer; crew transfer.
Classifications: Operator displays and control interfaces.
Classifications: Rotating machinery; rotating equipment.
Classifications: Alarm management.
Classifications: Energy and process isolation; isolation; energy isolation.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Classifications: Safety communication; toolbox talk; toolbox talks.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Offshore wind; offshore wind energy.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
A Member reports two near miss incidents within two weeks of one another, in which during the approach of a vessel to a wind turbine tower, the nacelle started moving, with the risk of the vessel being hit or gangway being knocked off by the wind turbine blades.
IMCA SF 10/21. Themes: human factors, isolation, marine operations.