STOCKHOLM – Man Overboard in Svalbard

Summary in English

During a voyage in Svalbard, an ordinary sailor (OS) intended to complete some painting work. To access an area that was hard to reach, he chose to work from the outside of the vessel. Hence, he wore a safety harness, made fast to the railing with a round sling and a carabiner, thus serving as a safety tether. No fall arrest system was used. To assist the OS, a cadet was present. By standing on the outside of the railing, the OS could reach the surface to be painted.

The carabiner came open, and the OS, who did not wear a personal flotation device, fell into the water. The cadet threw him a lifebuoy and called for help. The master and one of the vessel’s guides acted quickly by manning a Zodiac, which was rapidly launched, and the OS was rescued within a few minutes. The officer of the watch (OOW) had at this stage started to turn the vessel around.

The investigation commission finds that there were significant shortcomings in the vessel’s Systematic Work Environment Management (SWEM). The investigation also reveals that there is a need to increase the extent of supervision for vessels that are not categorized as passenger vessels but are used to carry passengers in waters involving an elevated level of risk. Furthermore, the investigation commission notes that there is reason to consider whether the regulations applicable to, among other things, vessels categorized as passenger vessels should also apply to other vessels used to carry passengers in such waters.

Causes of the accident

The direct cause of the occurrence was that the OS did not use a fall arrest system during the work, and that the equipment used was incorrect and not fit for its purpose.

A prerequisite for the occurrence was that clear routines for deck work supervision were lacking. This meant that the OOW did not have an opportunity to assess the risks associated with the planned work, which led to necessary precautions not being taken.

Another prerequisite was that the SWEM was incompletely implemented. This meant that the risks with the work onboard were not identified and addressed in a sufficient way. The incomplete implementation of the SWEM resulted in a lack of training in the use of fall arrest systems when working at heights, and that proper equipment for such work was missing.

On a system level it is not satisfactory that vessels under 500 gross tonnage, used for the transportation of a maximum of twelve passengers in areas with extended risks, only occasionally are subject to inspections of their SWEM.

Safety recommendations

Rederi AB Ishavet is recommended to
• review and strengthen the work on Systematic Work Environment Management as a whole, and complete the adjacent documentation.

The Swedish Tranport Agency is recommended to
• increase the extent of inspections for vessels, used for passenger transportation that are not covered by ISM legislation and operating in areas with increased risks, and ensure that the inspections performed are efficient

• consider whether there is a need to extend the scope of application for the ISM Code to cover all Swedish vessels, used for passenger transportation in areas with increased risks, and if such a need is identified act to implement it.