An Investigation Report on the April 24, 2021 incident on the Liftboat Charleston has been issued by The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE). The liftboat is owned and operated by Alliance Offshore and was performing work at an unmanned platform owned by Cantium, LLC. The injured person was employed by Alliance Energy Services, LLC. During the incident, the liftboat was being raised due to rising sea levels. While this occurred, a ling that was attached to a Dry Hole Tree failed, striking the worker.
The BSEE report documents the conclusions:
The slings used were still attached to the DHT while the change in elevation took place with no one watching the live end of the load. When the liftboat was being raised, one of the slings got caught on a tubing hanger pin causing the sling to exceed its capacity and break.
The probable cause of the incident:
Equipment Failure – Capacity of sling exceeded the force exerted.
Human Performance Error – Not aware of hazards associated with making changes to the Liftboat’s elevation while the crane was still connected to the lift.
Management Systems – Inadequate hazard analysis.
Ultimately, the procedures on a platform or vessel should be detailed enough in order to cover all of the important steps on a job, and warn about the operating limits of equipment involved. Accidents like this are often known risks, which much be planned for by platform owners and operators and those operating a liftboat. Precautions and safety protocols must be in place before work commences.
Our attorneys have extensive experience in maritime injury and wrongful death litigation in courts across the country and the skills needed to represent the families of loved ones who have lost their lives as a result of the negligence of another party, or been seriously injured. We have handled numerous cases involving injuries that occurred following fires or explosions on offshore platforms. The experienced offshore accident attorneys at Spagnoletti Law Firm can help you understand your rights if you or a loved one was a victim of an offshore accident. Please contact us online or call 713-804-9306 or to learn more about your legal rights.