Personnel Transfer Accidents

Transfer of maritime workers from offshore installations to crew boats and docks is accomplished by various means, including helicopters, rope systems and personnel transfer baskets. Unfortunately, serious accidents can occur when standard practices, procedures and safety protocols are not followed.

If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in a personnel transfer accident, please contact the Bohrer Law Firm, LLC for an informative consultation about your rights and legal options.

Advance preparation and planning is absolutely essential before using a personnel transfer basket. Elements of this plan include:

• Authority to initiate use
• Delegation of duties
• Plan for radio or other communication
• Planning for various weather conditions

Standard Procedures

Optimum care in transferring maritime workers may be exercised in the following ways. All personnel should be trained in the safe use of transfer methods. Supervisors should ask users if they have used the transfer basket or other method before, or been trained to do so. Instructions should be repeated immediately before transfer. An experienced user should accompany a new user. Transfer baskets must be solidly constructed, and have both non-slip surfaces and effective hand-holds.

Maritime workers can be injured by falling, lateral or vertical impact, or immersion in the sea. Typical causes of personnel transfer accidents include:

• Crane operator error
• Slippery surfaces
• Defective equipment
• Ineffective communication during transfer
• Motion of boats in the sea

When representing workers injured in such accidents, our attorneys may retain experts to provide testimony on the policies and procedures that should have been followed.

Call the Bohrer Law Firm, LLC at 225-925-LAWS (5297) or 1-800-876-3911. You may also email us. We offer free confidential initial consultations with an experienced lawyer.