The Republic of the Marshall Islands issued MSA No. 10-24 to address fatalities from falls from height on RMI-flagged vessels.
The Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator has issued Marine Safety Advisory No. 10-24 to address the critical issue of fatalities caused by falls from height on RMI-flagged vessels. The advisory, dated 27 November 2024, is directed at vessel owners, operators, masters, nautical inspectors, and recognized organizations.
Overview of the Issue
Falls from height have been the leading cause of very serious marine casualties (VSMCs) on RMI-flagged vessels since 2019. These incidents have resulted in 22 fatalities, with 11 occurring in the past two years alone. This trend highlights a need for heightened awareness and stricter adherence to safety measures to prevent further tragedies.
Key Findings
The Administrator’s investigations revealed several trends and shortcomings in incidents involving falls from height:
- Common Scenarios:
- Falls occurred while descending inclined or vertical ladders, such as when entering cargo holds.
- Other incidents involved the use of pilot ladders or accommodation ladders during rigging, ascending, or descending.
- Safety Gaps:
- While toolbox talks were typically conducted before tasks, they often failed to identify specific fall-related risks.
- Inconsistent terminology within Safety Management System (SMS) procedures, such as "working from height" versus "working aloft," led to overlooked hazards.
- Risk assessments, permits-to-work, and PPE protocols lacked sufficient detail and guidance.
Causal Factors
The investigations identified several
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