Marine Safety Forum – Safety Flash 14-27
Issued: 2nd June 2014
Subject: Trapped Finger
A serious incident occurred recently on board a PSV where a crew member lost the tip of his finger
while assisting to attach the bulk hose using the 'strop and pin' method.
As the bulk hose was being lowered to the vessel the crew member caught the strop and looped it
around the pin as per normal procedure, but he then also took hold of the bulk hose as it continued
lowering.
As the hose lowered and the hang off strop bore the weight of the hose his finger became trapped
between the ships rail and the hose connection resulting in a finger being crushed and severed.
The 'strop and pin' method of transferring a bulk hose requires minimal intervention or assistance
from the vessels crew and there is no requirement or need for the crewmember to touch or guide
the bulk hose as it is being lowered once the strop is attached. The only requirement for the
crewmember during the bulk hose transfer is to catch the strop and ensure it is correctly looped
over the pin.
The below illustrations show how the strop should be looped over the pin. (No other intervention is
required):
As the hang-off sling nears the OSV’s side rail whilst the hose is being lowered, the AB
should catch the eye of the round sling, if reasonably practicable, by boat hook or by
hand, and fit the eye over one of the pins.
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Picture 1
Picture 2
Pictures 1 & 2 – The strop correctly laid over the hanging-off pin. The strop can lift freely
from the pin when the crane retrieves the bulk hose.
Shortening of the strop must not be done by way of wrapping the strop around the
hanging-off pin or securing it to any other point.
The information available on this Safety Flash and our associated web site is provided in good faith and only
for the purposes of enhancing safety and best practice. For the avoidance of doubt no legal liability shall be
attached to any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.
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Picture 3
Picture 3 – The strop incorrectly wrapped around the hanging-off pin. The strop will not lift freely
from the pin when the hose is retrieved.
NB – If the vessel requires the strop to be shortened or altered, then the hose should be
passed back to the Installation for the strop to be adjusted accordingly by the Installation.

Picture 4
Picture 4 – Another incorrect way of securing the strop to the hang-off pin outlined
above.
Please note: Round webbing slings are used for installation hoses. The flat slings
in the above pictures are for illustration purposes only.
The information available on this Safety Flash and our associated web site is provided in good faith and only
for the purposes of enhancing safety and best practice. For the avoidance of doubt no legal liability shall be
attached to any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.
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