200521 Dangers of Ro-Ro Operations

Dangers of Ro-Ro Operations
MARS Report 200521

A Ro-Ro vessel was loading on two deck levels simultaneously. The Chief Officer was crossing the lower ship's ramp as a tractor and empty trailer drove over the upper ramp. As the wheels of the trailer went over a hump on the upper ship's ramp, a container twistlock broke loose and fell on to the Chief Officer. Fortunately the Chief Officer (as per SMS) was wearing a safety helmet and was not badly hurt. It would appear that the twistlock came off because of poor maintenance on the trailer.