Real Life Incident: Gangway Operator’s Foot Gets Trapped Causing Compound Fracture

An offshore windfarm Service Operation Vessel (SOV) was positioned at a wind turbine generator (WTG). Waves of 3m and a swell of 2.8m were being experienced but this was deemed acceptable. With the vessel in an optimal position relative to the connection point on the WTG and the prevailing weather, the gangway operator was given permission to make the gangway connection.

The gangway operator stood at the base of the telescoping access bridge and used the mobile remote control to operate the gangway and make the connection in the usual fashion. Due to the vessel movement, he had difficulty in making the connection and retracted the gangway to re-assess