Safety Flash
Accidental activation of emergency stop during saturation diving operations
Accidental activation of emergency stop during saturation diving operations
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 20/19
- DivingIsolationMachinery and Equipment
- Human factors
- Dynamic positioningSaturation diving
- Operator displays and control interfacesPumps
- Competence and trainingHuman-centred designJob safety analysisSafety communication
- Marine industry
- Vessel
Summary
Accidental operation of unprotected emergency-stop buttons stopped both lubricating-oil pumps and tripped a vessel’s starboard Voith Schneider propulsion during saturation diving. The vessel maintained position and divers were safely recovered without injury. Lessons address button covers, situational awareness, shipboard familiarisation, and more thorough job safety analysis and toolbox talks for routine engine-space maintenance.
Classifications: Human factors; human performance; ergonomics.
Classifications: Dynamic positioning; DP; DP operations.
Classifications: Saturation diving; sat diving.
Classifications: Operator displays and control interfaces.
Classifications: Pumps.
Classifications: Competence and training; competency assurance; safety training.
Classifications: Human-centred design.
Classifications: Job safety analysis; JSA; job hazard analysis; JHA.
Classifications: Safety communication; toolbox talk; toolbox talks.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
Accidental activation of emergency stops disabled propulsion equipment during saturation diving, requiring divers to return to the bell.
IMCA SF 20/19. Themes: diving, isolation, machinery and equipment.