Marine incident report M/S Tiderose LEGL/9510242 passenger overboard near Vestnes on 16 September 2012
Marine report 2013/01 eng
On the afternoon of Sunday 16 September 2012, the high-speed craft Tiderose sailed its ordinary route between Molde and Vestnes. During the crossing, a passenger fell overboard through the side gate (gangway) on the starboard aft deck. The passenger was rescued by the vessel's crew and taken to hospital. The passenger did not suffer any serious physical injuries.
The safety investigation has been carried out in cooperation with Bundesstelle für Seeunfalluntersuchung (BSU), the German investigation board for marine accidents.
Based on the investigation two significant safety problems have been pursued in safety recommendations to the shipping company and the Norwegian Maritime Authority, respectively.
The first safety problem concerns the securing of the gangway on the aft deck. It serves as a side gate during crossings. To prevent passengers from falling overboard, the shipping company had chosen a solution that meant that the ordinary seaman by routine had to lock the gangway in place. In the opinion of AIBN the shipping company had established a weak barrier against this risk, since many circumstances could result in such a task not being carried out as envisaged in an ideal situation. It is also possible that previous maintenance of the gangway had made it easier for the locking mechanism to be released. The shipping company's locking procedures and existing locking mechanism for the gangway did not provide sufficient safety for the passengers on board.
The other safety problem concerns the rescue arrangements for man overboard emergency situations. In principle, the high-speed craft should be equipped with at least one rescue boat to recover persons from the water (MOB boat). For Tiderose and other small high-speed craft, the Norwegian Maritime Authority grants exemptions from this requirement on certain conditions. Instead of a MOB boat, the high-speed craft was equipped with a rescue frame system, davit and a manual winch on the forecastle. This rescue arrangement was not a sufficiently effective means of recovering the passenger from the sea. The limitations of this rescue arrangement are primarily related to vessels with a (relatively) high freeboard, and to the fact that it is not realistic to expect persons in the water to remain still.
Photo: AIBN
Safety recommendation
Safety recommendation MARINE no. 2013/01T
In order to secure the gangway the shipping company had chosen an arrangement that meant that the ordinary seaman had to lock it in place. The AIBN considers this to be a weak organisational barrier. It is also possible that previous maintenance of the gangway had made it easier for the locking mechanism to be released. The shipping company's locking procedures and existing locking mechanism for the gangway have thus not provided adequate safety for passengers on board the high-speed craft.
The Accident Investigation Board Norway recommends that the shipping company Norled AS carry out the necessary assessments and measures to prevent similar man overboard situations.
Safety recommendation MARINE no. 2013/02T
The rescue frame system, davit and winch installed on board the high-speed craft were not a sufficiently effective means of recovering the passenger from the sea. This rescue arrangement has limitations, primarily in relation to vessels with a (relatively) high freeboard, and to the fact that it is not realistic to expect persons in the water to remain still. In the AIBN's opinion, the Norwegian Maritime Authority's assessments in connection with the granting of exemptions from the MOB boat requirement have not been sufficiently based on realistic emergency situations and experience of the use of such equipment.
The Accident Investigation Board Norway recommends that the Norwegian Maritime Authority, in consultation with the industry, revises the criteria for exemption from the MOB boat requirement in order to ensure effective recovery of persons from the sea and to address the challenges relating to freeboard.
Facts
| Location | Vestnes, Moldefjord, Norway |
| Occurrence date | 16.09.2012 |
| Accident category | Misc. accidents |
| Area | Norwegian Territorial Waters |
| IMO number | 9510242 |
| Name of vessel | Tiderose |
| Accident type | Fall over board, Passenger accident |
| Vessel type | Passenger Ship - Ferry |
| Register | The Norwegian Ship Register |