Dutch Safety Board cites poor risk management as factor in fatal vessel collision in Rotterdam
The Dutch Safety Board (DSB) has determined that inadequate risk management contributed to an incident wherein one person was killed following a collision between a crane vessel and a drilling rig at a shipyard in Rotterdam on February 21, 2024.
On the said date, the crane vessel Saipem 7000 collided with the drilling rig Noble Regina Allen while being docked at a shipyard in the Botlek harbour district of Rotterdam. The crane vessel veered off course, due in part to the weather conditions.
At the time, a welder was working on scaffolding on the outside of the drilling rig. He was trapped between the vessel and the rig and fell into the water.
Despite a number of searches, his body was not recovered until more than three weeks later.
The DSB concluded that risk management of complex operations at the shipyard requires improvement. In particular, a more thorough approach is needed for complex operations that are carried out simultaneously, such as in the case of the crane vessel navigating in the harbour while the rig was undergoing servicing.
The shipyard must ensure that risks are clearly understood and managed. To identify risks effectively and in a structured manner, it is crucial to take account of different perspectives, particularly in the case of simultaneous operations.
All the parties involved must jointly go through scenarios in advance, identify the risks that may arise, and agree on the options for taking action.
"Pilots must prepare themselves well for the safe execution of complex activities such as docking a crane vessel," said DSB board member Erica Bakkum, boardmember.
"For example, they must continuously test assumptions among all those involved and speak out about possible risks. The Regional Pilotage Corporation Rotterdam-Rijnmond is responsible for ensuring that pilots indeed prepare in this way."
One of the DSB's recommendations is that the shipyard, the Rotterdam-Rijnmond Regional Pilotage Corporation, and the owner of the vessel should consult each other in advance when complex, simultaneous operations are involved.
This will result in a comprehensive overview of all the operations at the shipyard and allow them to identify potential risks, discuss various scenarios, and make arrangements for how to communicate with one another.
The full report on the incident can be read the DSB official site here.
