Safety Flash
Near-miss: Leopard seal interference with diver
Near-miss: Leopard seal interference with diver
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 31/16
- DivingMarine Operations
- Diving operationsInspection and maintenance
- Evacuation, escape and rescueOperating and work proceduresStop-work authority
- Marine industry
- Subsea
Summary
Leopard seals interrupted diving during South Atlantic inspection, repair and maintenance operations. Divers were recovered using a LARS basket after close approaches and a later strong push. The flash describes marine-mammal watches, recovery arrangements, avoiding midwater swimming and suspending diving until four hours after the last leopard seal sighting.
Classifications: Diving operations; diving; commercial diving.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Evacuation, escape and rescue; EER; escape and rescue.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Classifications: Stop-work authority; stop work; stop-work intervention.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Subsea; underwater worksite.
Summary
Leopard seals repeatedly approached and contacted divers, prompting marine-mammal watches, recovery procedures and temporary suspension of diving.
IMCA SF 31/16. Themes: diving, marine operations.