IMCA: Dropped object - Bailout cylinder inside diving bell

During bell preparations for saturation diving operations, an incident occurred within the vessel’s saturation system.

What happened?

While conducting routine bell checks, a bailout set that had not been correctly secured slipped from its stowed position inside the bell.

As the bellman positioned himself to open the bell door in preparation for diver entry, he inadvertently leaned against the unsecured bailout set, causing it to slide through the bell door opening and fall approximately 2.5 metres, striking the Transfer Under Pressure (TUP) door below.

No-one was injured.

The bailout cylinder was damaged.

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