Marshall Islands issues advisory to prevent fatal falls on yachts

The Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator issued Yacht Safety Advisory No. 13-24 on December 23, 2024, to address the persistent and significant danger of fatalities caused by falls from height aboard yachts and vessels registered under the RMI flag. The advisory highlights a concerning trend: falls from height have been the leading cause of very serious marine casualties (VSMCs) since 2019, accounting for 31% of such incidents and resulting in the tragic loss of 22 lives. Notably, 11 of these fatalities occurred in the last two years, underlining the urgency of this issue.

Key Issues:

1. Fall-Related Fatalities: Falls from height have been identified as the most common and fatal type of incident on RMI-flagged vessels, leading to loss of life and operational impacts.
2. VSMC Definition: A VSMC involves incidents with severe outcomes, such as the total loss of a ship, fatalities, or significant environmental damage. These statistics emphasize the critical need for enhanced safety measures.

Recommendations:

To mitigate the risks of falls from height, the RMI Maritime Administrator provides the following guidance:

1. Review and Update Safety Practices:
   • Yacht owners or their representatives are advised to review and, if necessary, amend onboard safety procedures.
   • These practices must align with the RMI Yacht Code (MI-103) and specifically address task- and location-based risks of falls. This review aims to ensure compliance with safety regulations and the adoption of effective prevention strategies.
2. Crew Education and Engagement:
   • Masters are encouraged to organize a special safety meeting with the crew to discuss the advisory's findings and recommendations.
   • The goal of these meetings is to raise awareness of the risks associated with working at height and to ensure all crew members understand and adhere to fall prevention measures.
3. Safety Flyer Display:
   • The advisory recommends displaying an attached Safety Flyer on Falls in high-traffic areas of the vessel to serve as a daily reminder of best practices and fall prevention protocols.

Core Message:

The Maritime Administrator stresses the importance of consistently wearing appropriate fall protection equipment, including harnesses, lifelines, or fall arrest devices, whenever there is a risk of falling. It urges all crew members to adopt a proactive approach by asking themselves, “Where is my harness, lifeline, or fall arrest equipment?”

Call to Action:

• If there is any uncertainty, crew members are instructed to stop, ask, and report to prevent fatal accidents.
• By prioritizing safety and adhering to these recommendations, yacht owners, operators, and crews can work together to significantly reduce the risks of fatalities due to falls from height.

LINK TO THE DOCUMENT

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