A general cargo vessel had berthed and was discharging cargo from the upper port cargo hold. The tween-deck had been emptied and next the pontoons would be removed in order to access more cargo below.
The vessel’s crew began the tweendeck pontoon removal, a job they knew well. One crew member was assigned to operate the crane. One seaman was assigned as signal man and was equipped with a portable two-way radio to communicate with the crane operator. He was assisted by another crew member....