Safety Flash
Loss of 3 tonne lift bags owing to equipment failure
Loss of 3 tonne lift bags owing to equipment failure
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 20/16
- Crane and RiggingDivingLifting OperationsMachinery and Equipment
- Line of fireMechanical failure
- RiggingROV operationsSaturation diving
- Lifting accessories
- Marine industry
- Subsea
Summary
During a saturation dive, lifting-link failures released closed salvage lift bags attached to a pipeline. Metallurgical testing revealed strength below the certified rating and weaknesses associated with bent, welded rings. The member concluded that certificates were counterfeit. Remaining bags were condemned and punctured by ROV before diver recovery.
Classifications: Line of fire; struck-by hazards.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Rigging; slinging.
Classifications: ROV operations; remotely operated vehicle operations.
Classifications: Saturation diving; sat diving.
Classifications: Lifting accessories; lifting gear; rigging gear.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Subsea; underwater worksite.
Summary
A failed lifting link released subsea lift bags, exposing divers to potentially catastrophic consequences.
IMCA SF 20/16. Themes: crane and rigging, diving, lifting operations, machinery and equipment.