Personnel basket transfers are only as safe as the equipment used to carry them out. While the people involved in the transfer—from crane operators to deckhands—play vital roles, the condition of the gear is equally critical. When a basket, crane, or associated rigging fails due to poor maintenance or skipped inspections, the result is often an avoidable tragedy.
These transfers typically involve suspended personnel baskets lifted by crane between vessels, docks, or platforms. The baskets, lifting cables, shackles, hooks, and spreader bars are exposed to extreme conditions—saltwater, high winds, constant vibrations, and mechanical strain. If not routinely inspected and properly maintained, any single component can fail at the worst possible moment.
What Can Go Wrong When Maintenance Is Overlooked
Failure to properly maintain basket transfer equipment can lead to:
- Frayed or corroded cables that snap under pressure
- Worn shackles or hooks that come loose during a lift
- Structural fatigue in the basket frame, weakening its ability to carry load
- Rust and corrosion on metal components, especially in marine environments
- Hydraulic or mechanical failure in the crane boom during hoisting
- Malfunctioning locking mechanisms or latches, risking ejection
Each of these problems poses a serious risk of injury or death. Worse still, many of these failures aren’t sudden—they develop over time, often with visible signs that are ignored due to rushed schedules or cost-cutting.
Inspection Failures: A Breakdown in Oversight
Inspections are intended to catch wear and tear before it becomes dangerous. When routine checks are skipped or done poorly, dangerous defects can go unnoticed.
Key failures in inspection include:
- Inadequate pre-use inspections before daily lifts
- Failure to document issues or remove damaged gear from service
- Lack of periodic third-party inspections, especially on cranes and rigging
- Failure to replace gear past its rated life span
- Improper recordkeeping, making it difficult to trace known issues
In some cases, employers or contractors may knowingly cut corners, continuing to use outdated or damaged equipment to save time or money. When an accident happens as a result, they may be held fully responsible under the law.
Who Is Liable for Faulty Equipment?
Maritime and offshore employers are required to ensure the equipment used on the job is safe and functional. When an injury occurs because a basket, crane, or lifting accessory failed due to poor maintenance, several parties may be held liable:
- The employer or contractor overseeing the worksite
- The vessel owner or operator
- The company responsible for inspecting or maintaining the equipment
- In some cases, the manufacturer—if a design or manufacturing defect contributed
Under the Jones Act, offshore workers can pursue claims against their employer for failing to provide a safe work environment. This includes failing to maintain the tools and machinery used on the job.
Injuries Caused by Equipment Failure
When equipment fails mid-lift, the injuries can be devastating. These may include:
- Falls from height due to cable or shackle failure
- Crushing injuries from sudden drops or collisions
- Spinal damage or broken limbs from hard landings
- Lacerations or amputations from snapped metal under tension
- Death, particularly when the basket is dropped over water or into the vessel’s structure
These incidents are rarely “freak accidents.” They’re often preventable, and the result of inexcusable neglect.
Legal Options for Injured Offshore Workers
Victims of personnel basket accidents caused by faulty equipment may be entitled to significant compensation. This may include coverage for:
- Emergency and ongoing medical treatment
- Lost income and future earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Long-term care or rehabilitation
- Disability or disfigurement
- Wrongful death damages for surviving family members
You do not have to navigate these complex legal issues alone.
Get Help from an Experienced Offshore Injury Attorney
At Spagnoletti Law Firm, we represent offshore workers who have suffered serious injuries due to unsafe or poorly maintained equipment. We’ve handled complex cases involving equipment failure, regulatory violations, and corporate negligence—and we’re prepared to fight for your rights.
📞 Contact our office today at 713-804-9306 for a free consultation. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you.