Accident at landing stage

[suffolk]

Story courtesy of the East Anglian Daily Times.

Full Article

[Timber]

The following is an extract from the Harwich & Manningtree Standard

AN investigation into an accident which left a tug boat captain with severe leg injuries has now been concluded.

The Marine Accident and Investigation Branch launched an investigation after tug boat captain, Geoff Bull, from Harwich, lost his lower leg in a horrific accident at Felixstowe Landguard Pontoon on November 27.

Mr Bull, a tug captain for Svitzer Towage, was boarding the Haven Harrier at about 8.30am in Felixstowe when he became trapped between the vessel and the pontoon.

Mr Bull, who is in his 40s, was rushed to Ipswich Hospital by paramedic and had to have his lower leg amputated.

The MAIB have now released the results of a preliminary examination into the incident and have issued a number of revised health and safety regulations.

In the preliminary examination, it states that the coxswain of the Haven Harrier had agreed to transport three tug crew members, including Mr Bull, from the pontoon in Felixstowe to Harwich.

The report states: “The first two men stepped on board, without incident. The third man, who was carrying two small bags in his right hand, stepped onto a tyre fender with his right foot and was about to step onto the boat’s deck with his left foot.

“The boat’s bow pitched down and the man, realising that he was in danger of falling onto the boat, decided to fall backwards onto the pontoon instead.

“As he did so, the bow pitched up, rode over the fender, and then pitched down again, trapping the man’s lower leg between the pontoon and the boat’s hull.”

The MAIB have now issued a variety of new safety measures after the investigation in the hope of preventing a similar incident in the future.

A spokesman for MAIB said: “Risk assessments for use of the pontoon have since been revised and operational instructions now require that pilot boats to reduce speed well in advance of approaching the pontoon, vessels to be parallel alongside and secured with at least one line before boarding or disembarkation begins and tyre fenders not to be used as steps during boarding or disembarkation.

“The Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents has written to the Chief Executive of Harwich Haven Authority with respect to the use of objective marine expertise in future risk assessments, and to the dangers of complacency.”

Harwich Haven Authority declined to comment.