Capstan locking device failure on general cargo ship Opnor with loss of 1 life

Location: Lerwick Harbour, Scotland.

• From: Marine Accident Investigation Branch
• Published: 23 January 2015

• Vessel type: Merchant vessel 100 gross tons or over
• Report type: Completed preliminary assessment
• Date of occurrence: 11 March 2002

Completed PE Summary: Opnor

A short summary of the accident and action taken:

	Merchant Vessel/Accident Details
Vessel Name	Opnor
Registered Owner and Manager	Janus Andersen & Co
Port of Registry	Aabenraa
Flag	Denmark
Type	General cargo, single deck
Built	1962
Classification Society	Bureau Veritas
Length Overall	50.78m
Gross Tonnage	398.00
Date/Time	03/11/02, 0526
Location of Incident	Lerwick harbour area
Incident Type	Accident to Person
Persons Onboard	4 crew
Injuries/Fatalities	1 fatality
Damage/Pollution	Minor damage

Synopsis

The aft capstan winding handle struck a fatal blow to a crewman’s head when the capstan locking devices failed while alongside at Lerwick in heavy weather.

Action taken:

The Chief Inspector wrote to the vessel owner highlighting three safety issues, making reference to:

• No planned maintenance system on board

• The need for crew to be vigilant to defects, regardless of any other inspections carried out

• Effective defect reporting procedures

The Danish Maritime Authority and MCA were copied the letter sent to the owner.

The Classification society for the vessel and the Procurator Fiscal were also advised of the safety issues.

Published 23 January 2015