8 AUGUST 2017 • FOGHORN FOGHORNFOCUS: SAFETY 07-14 discussing Slips, Trips, and Falls.1 . The alert outlined a STF investigation in which the Coast Guard investigated an accident involving a passenger onboard a catamaran vessel who fell into an unprotected stairwell and received signifi- cant injuries. As a result, the Safety Alert was prepared and widely disseminated to provide education on the inherent risk of STFs, and increase overall risk awareness. In general, risk management and awareness are the key factors in reducing STF, and the keen ability to identify potential risk and knowing how to effectively control them is extremely important to the safety of both passengers and crew. Most STF injuries can be prevented with proper safety precautions in place. Shoreside, particularly in shipyards, OSHA regulations found in 29 CFR 1915.81 mandate that all walkways and working surfaces be free of all STF hazards. However, OSHA regulations do not apply to passenger vessels in most situations. Passenger vessel owners and operators are responsible for establishing and maintaining good housekeeping practices to minimize hazards to crew and passengers. Hazards causing STFs require no special skill to be identified, but they exist on virtually every passenger vessel. The mitigation and prevention of such hazards are About the Authors Captain Bob Lawler (right) is General Manager of Boston Duck Tours in Boston, MA, and 2017 PVA Secretary Treasurer. LCDR Yancee McLemore (far right) is assigned to the Coast Guard’s Office of Investigations and Analysis in Washington, DC. 1 http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg545/alerts/0714.pdf often simple and require little to no cost to correct. Through our analysis of STFs from 2010-2014, we have been able to identify stairways (ladderways), gangways and boarding ramps, outer decks exposed to the elements and thresholds as the most common areas on passenger vessels for a STF to occur. An increased focus and main- tenance of these areas along with a strong crewmember training program on STF prevention and the use of the PVA’s Flagship Safety Management System as a tool to help identify, mitigate and remove hazards and track the success of these efforts will go a long way in making our already safe industry even more safe in the future. n +1 920.686.5117 sales@burgerboat.com burgerboat.com/commercial Proudly built in the USA Burger is recognized worldwide for quality custom vessels that provide years of dependable service. Quality Commercial Vessels... Built by Burger to Your Requirements • Aluminum and Steel Fabrication • Passenger Vessels • Research Vessels • Fast Crew Boats • Fast Supply Boats • Wind Farm Support Vessels • Fishing Vessels • Other Vessels to 260' (80m) Under Construction 103’ (31m) Steel Explorer Vessel