201930 Taking vessel draughts - a dangerous task?

27 Apr 2019 MARS

The following photographs were sent to MARS by one of our readers. For the aft draughts, the crew member can be seen being lowered over the side in a barrel via the ship’s stores crane. To take the draughts amidships, he has climbed down the pilot ladder and, now near the end of the ladder, is struggling to view the draughts below.

 

Taking the outboard draughts on large vessels may seem a daunting task, and can be dangerous. But need it be? Although the crew member in these photographs appears to have a lifejacket on, what is wrong with this situation? Is there a safer way to take your draughts?


Lesson learned

  • Every task should be analysed for associated hazards. The work

method adopted should be the one that decreases the associated
risks to persons to the ‘as low as reasonably practicable’ (ALARP) level.

  • What is the safest way to take your outboard draughts? Think about it,

and continue reading below!

 

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