PSS welcomes Clipper Pennant investigation report

PSS has welcomed the publication of the The Marine Accident Investigation Board (MAIB) report into the fatal crush accident which occurred on the roll on/roll-off vessel Clipper Pennant in July 2021.

The report acknowledges that actions have been taken to improve safety following the accident, and calls on PSS to work with the UK Chamber of Shipping and with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to make further improvements in safety guidance.

PSS Chief Executive, Debbie Cavaldoro said: “PSS is committed to driving continuous improvement in safety across the sector and therefore we welcome the recommendations made in this report and will work with the Chamber of Shipping and HSE to ensure we complete them.

“Roll-on/roll-off operations happen every day in UK ports and it is vital that the industry takes steps minimise the risks to ships crew and port workers during loading and unloading operations. We want everyone working in and around ports to be able to go home safely at the end of every day. For one port worker on that fatal day this did not happen, and we must do everything we can to avoid someone else losing a colleague, friend or family member.”

In the foreword to the report the Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, Andrew Moll OBE highlighted the need for procedures to be practicable, followed and properly supervised; stating it’s not good enough to develop procedures that look good on paper.

PSS is committed to driving continuous improvement in safety across the sector and so we welcome the recommendations made in this report.

DEBBIE CAVALDORO, PSS CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Recommendations

The recommendations of the report include PSS working with the UK Chamber of Shipping to develop a jointly agreed and consolidated industry code of practice for vehicle deck safety on ro-on/roll-off vessels. The Safety in Ports guidance suite already includes two documents on ro-ro safety which will be invaluable in this process. The MAIB has tasked PSS and the UK Chamber of Shipping with ensuring the industry guidance is effectively distributed throughout the industry and PSS will ensure this through their Safety Bulletin service, Port Safety Group meetings and member audits.

The report also recommends that PSS work with the HSE to develop a national occupational driving standard for tractor unit drivers. It also makes recommendations to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, CLdN RoRo Limited and P&O Ferries Limited. PSS will provide what ever support is needed to its members to undertake all recommendations.

The full report can be downloaded from the MAIB webpage here.