Severe Hand Injury (Incident 1)

The vessel was on her way from Savannah, USA to Cartagena, Colombia.  Usual night rounds were carried out by the duty Second Engineer. During the rounds, one of the “V” belts of the accommodation AC compressor was found lose and slipping on the pulley. The Second Engineer in an attempt to carry out the replacement of the lose “V” belt, decided to stop the AC by closing discharge valve of the condenser. The compressor tripped with low suction pressure but was still on standby mode. Unfortunately the electric motor for the compressor was not switched off from the breaker before beginning to cut the belt for replacement. The compressor restarted during this time and the Second Engineer’s right hand was caught in between the pulley and the belt resulting in severe injury and loss of four fingers of the right hand.

Medical evacuation of the second engineer was carried out with the assistance if Colombian coast guard.
The replacement of the lose “V” belt was attempted without de-energizing the compressor’s electric motor and while the compressor was stopped it remained in Stand By mode.

It goes without saying that our loved ones expect us back back home in one piece. In this case the machinery or the electrical equipment should have been isolated. All companies in compliance of ISM code have a isolation procedure and PTW to carry out such tasks. These permits and procedures clearly define the process to be followed and mitigating actions to be put in place in order to work on machinery and equipment which could be turned on, or started automatically or from remote control system.

      Severe Hand Injury (Incident 2)

During what seemed like a routine inspection of the Air condition unit due to the frequency of the job, the third engineer stopped the motor of the fan from the starter panel and proceeded to open the door of the thermo tank.
He spotted some insulation under the motor that he wanted to remove, at this time the motor and the drive belt of the fan was still turning slowly from the momentum. He put his hand on top of the drive belt and tried to stop it.
The belt did not stop as fast as he expected and his fingers were caught between the belt and the wheel on the fan side. As a result his right hand long finger was injured and cut in to the bone at the nail root.

Medical evacuation of the third engineer was carried out after giving first aid. Later, his right hand ring finger was amputated at the outer knuckle.

3rd engineer tried to stop the turning belt with his right hand when his fingers were caught between the V-ropes and the wheel to the fan.

         No job is so important or urgent that we cannot take the time to do it SAFELY.