Lookout! – issue 14, September 2009

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The skipper was reaching under the drive shaft to
identify where water was coming in when his clothing
became trapped.

The skipper and two crew had spent the day fishing in a harbour area. In the evening, the skipper received a forecast for winds of up to 35 knots overnight, and he elected to move the vessel, intending to shelter behind a nearby island.

In the darkness, the skipper and crew lost situational awareness and hit rocks on the coast of the island, causing significant damage to the hull. Realising the vessel was taking on water, the skipper pulled up the floor boards above the drive shaft and reached under the main drive shaft to identify where it was coming in.

He had not taken the main engine out of gear first, and the universal joint on the revolving drive shaft caught on his clothing. As it continued to revolve, the clothing was wound tighter and tighter, until it was tight around his neck and the skipper’s head and shoulders were pinned close to the shaft. In the confined space, his head was also held under water and attempts by his two crew could not break him free. He subsequently strangled to death.

The 10 metre launch hit a rock and started taking on
water, causing significant damage to the hull.

LOOKOUT! POINTS

1. Moving machinery is a serious hazard to mariners. It is often placed in confined spaces, and the danger of working on machinery is increased by the movement of a vessel at sea. Wherever possible, machinery should be turned off when crew are working close to it.
2. A drive shaft is so powerful that it is almost impossible to pull free once loose clothing has become trapped. Serious injury or death are common outcomes of this kind of accident.
   
   Extreme care should be taken around machinery, and loose clothing and long hair should be secured. Rings, watches and anything else that could catch on moving machinery should be removed before work starts.

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