Safety Flash
High potential near miss: anchor brake failure
High potential near miss: anchor brake failure
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 29/18
- Inspection and MaintenanceLine of FireVessel and Mooring
- Line of fireMechanical failure
- Anchor handlingInspection and maintenance
- WinchWire rope
- Exclusion zonesFunctional testingPositive retention and reliable securingPreventive maintenance
- Marine industry
- Vessel
Summary
A potentially fatal dry-docking near miss involved an anchor brake spindle failure following anchor recovery. Seized linkages imposed bending forces on the spindle; the devil’s claw opened and an unsecured guillotine failed to arrest the cable. Actions addressed inspection, lubrication, replacement retention arrangements and exclusion zones.
Classifications: Line of fire; struck-by hazards.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Anchor handling; anchor deployment.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Winch; winches.
Classifications: Wire rope; steel wire rope.
Classifications: Exclusion zones; red zones; restricted access zones.
Classifications: Functional testing; function test.
Classifications: Positive retention and reliable securing.
Classifications: Preventive maintenance; preventative maintenance; planned maintenance.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
An anchor windlass brake failure exposed personnel and nearby craft to hazards during anchoring operations.
IMCA SF 29/18. Themes: inspection and maintenance, line of fire, vessel and mooring.