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CASE 8<br />
The Lessons<br />
1. Accommodation ladders and their<br />
supporting platforms are often located<br />
in areas exposed to the weather. They are<br />
particularly vulnerable to salt water spray,<br />
which can accelerate metal corrosion if not<br />
adequately protected.<br />
2. The importance of routine preventative<br />
maintenance is clearly demonstrated in<br />
this incident where three crew members<br />
were badly injured. It is very easy to miss<br />
out that one inspection or maintenance<br />
routine, particularly if at first glance the<br />
equipment looks in good condition, and<br />
proper inspection or maintenance would<br />
be difficult and time consuming. However,<br />
as in this case, looks can be deceiving,<br />
and the more accessible, well painted<br />
topsides of the turntable masked the poor<br />
condition of the structure beneath.<br />
3. Maintenance, examination and testing<br />
of accommodation ladders have been<br />
highlighted in several bulletins from P&I<br />
clubs, and was identified as a contributing<br />
factor in MAIB report 8/2010 into a<br />
fatal accident. Section 4 of the IMO<br />
circular MSC.1/Circ.1331 ‘Guidelines for<br />
Construction, Installation, Maintenance<br />
and Inspection/Survey of Means of<br />
Embarkation and Disembarkation’,<br />
specifically provides guidance on the<br />
maintenance of accommodation ladders<br />
and gangways.<br />
18<br />
MAIB Safety Digest 1/2017
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