Stairs onboard ships can present a danger to crew, especially in wet conditions. In a recent Mars Report, a crew member was injured rushing down the stairs.
The Mars Reports are compiled (anonymously) by The Nautical Institute. A summary of what happened in this case:
Some deck crew were engaged in casting off a bunker barge. As they were letting go the lines on the upper deck, they heard a noise at the port side break of the accommodation. On going there, they found an injured crew member lying on the deck.
Apparently, he had been descending the steep steps rather hurriedly, facing forward and possibly not holding the handrail. Additionally, he had not noticed the stairs were wet due to a slight drizzle. All of these factors allowed him to slip and then slide down the stairs, injuring the back of his head, shoulder and ankle.
The victim was given first aid and taken to hospital.
Advice from The Nautical Institute
- The best way to descend steep stairs is facing the stairs with at least one hand on the railing.
- Rushing down stairs is not necessarily the fastest way down.
- Anti-slip strips on stair edges can help prevent slips, especially in wet conditions.
Mars Reports
This accident was covered in the Mars Reports, originally published as Mars 201973, that are part of Report Number 325. A selection of this Report has also been published in SWZ|Maritime’s December issue. The Nautical Institute compiles these reports (anonymously) to help prevent maritime accidents. That is why they are also published on SWZ|Maritime’s website.
More reports are needed to keep the scheme interesting and informative. All reports are read only by the Mars coordinator and are treated in the strictest confidence. To submit a report, please use the Mars report form.
