BigLift’s Workers Sustain Serious Injuries in Crane Incident

Two crew members of BigLift’s Happy Buccaneer heavy lift vessel were seriously injured on Monday morning,  23rd of February, while the vessel was alongside the Roy Hill wharf in Port Hedland, Australia.  

The crew members were moving a stack of four load spreaders (1.5 tonne steel pads placed under heavy cargoes) into the cargo hold using the ship’s crane.

They disonnected the slings from the stack and the slings were then being lifted clear by the crane. As the slings were being lifted, one caught on the top load spreader and it was tipped off the stack, pinning the two crew members by the legs against the nearby bulkhead. Both men suffered serious leg injuries. They were freed with the assistance of a shore rescue team and taken to a hospital ashore for treatment, Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said.

Both men were rushed to Hedland Health Campus for treatment. According to Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), both men’s legs were broken.

Based on vessel tracking data from Marine Traffic the vessel is still moored in Port Hedland.

“The ATSB has commenced an investigation into the incident and will collect evidence from relevant parties on the ship and ashore. The evidence will be used to prepare a draft investigation report, which will be forwarded to relevant parties for comment before the completion and release of the final report,” the Bureau added.

The investigation is expected to be completed by July, 2015.
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World Maritime News Staff; Image: BigLift