Published on: 23 September 2021
There have been a number of incidents involving small craft, travelling at a wide range of speeds, receiving predominantly vertical shock impact when coming off a wave, resulting in injury to one or more persons onboard. The effects of crossing seas and side-on waves can also cause injury.
Incidents have occurred on inland waters and estuaries as well as at sea, and to a wide range of people. Injuries sustained include spinal compression injuries, serious damage to joints and fractures in the leg and feet. When such injuries occur, they can be life-changing for those injured.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has released Marine Guidance Note (MGN) 436 Amendment 2, this note provides guidance on mitigating the risk of injury from whole body vibration (WBV) on small vessels, and in particular severe and repeated shocks (RS) as a result of impacts.
Guidance is provided to assist in improving the design of vessels to reduce the severity of the impact and to provide a suitable postural position for those onboard to enable them to brace effectively. There is also guidance for operators on reducing the risk of injury through training, pre departure briefing and ensuring that the vessel is operated considering vessel design, sea conditions and the health and experience of those onboard. Amendment 2 reflects evolving knowledge and best practice including the use of shock mitigating technology and data.
This notice should be read with MGN 636 (M) Amendment 1 Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) Regulations 1997 and MGN 353 (M+F) Amendment 1 The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Control of Vibration at Work) Regulations 2007 and replaces MGN 436 Amendment 1.
MGN 436 Amendment 2 can be downloaded here.