A CREWMAN who lost part of his leg after it was crushed in a horrific maritime accident was operating a crane in an 'unsafe' manner, a report has said. 

The second officer of the research and survey ship Kommandor Orca - which was moored at Portland Port - was airlifted to hospital after his leg was crushed after becoming caught in the track of a rail-mounted deck crane on the vessel.

A Maritime Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) report said that the way in which the man was operating the crane was 'unsafe' and that there was a  'selective or naïve view on safety' on board the vessel.

The investigation from the MAIB found that the crane was not being used in accordance with the manufacturer’s operating manual and that the crew had been using the local crane controls designed for emergency use only.

The MAIB report said: "Kommandor Orca’s 2/O (second officer) was following his training when he operated the crane’s local controls from the exposed position at height and without safeguards.

"The crane was not designed to be operated from the local position other than in an emergency and so no personnel platform, guardrails or machinery guards were fitted.

"Operating the crane from the local controls in the pedestal was unsafe. The method of crane control used by Kommandor Orca’s crew was contrary to the method stated in the manufacturer’s manual."

Kommandor Orca at seaKommandor Orca at sea (Image: Hays Ships Ltd)

Whilst operating the crane, the second officer felt the overalls of his left leg being pulled, which unbalanced him, and as he held onto the crane's travel lever for balance, unintentionally increased the speed of the crane.

This dragged his left foot and leg into the rack and pinion drive and he let go of the lever which stopped the crane, and he feel backwards.

As the officer cried out for help, a fellow crewmember came to his aid and moved the crane forward, as per the second officer's instructions.

This freed his leg which was 'severely damaged' below the knee.

Medical aid was sought immediately from the ship's first aid team and the emergency services alerted. 

An air ambulance landed at the quayside at Portland Port and a nearby shore crane was used to lift the injured man ashore before being flown to hospital where part of his leg was amputated.

A report into the incident - on August 16, 2022 - has just been published.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency issued the Kommandor Orca with a full Safety Management Certificate in December 2022 with no defects identified.

The vessel's owner, Hays Ships, based in Portlethen near Aberdeen, said the 'upsetting incident' was the first of its kind for the company in 20 years.

According to the MAIB report, Hays Ships has implemented several procedures to prevent an incident like this happening again such as the mandated use of the bridge station and wireless remote control units when operating rail-mounted cranes.

Crews have been provided with instructions in lifting operations and undertaken a full review of its safety management systems has taken place.

The injured man is also being fully supported by the company with the intent to continue his employment in a suitable capacity.

In view of the actions already taken the MAIB report had no further recommendations to make.