UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Abstract: At approximately 10:15 a.m. on December 10, 2014, Employees #1, #2, #3, and #4 were on board a Yard Craft Vessel, YCV-23 barge, making preparations to install a concrete sinker block to a riser chain with an attached hawse pipe buoy. The 7 -ton buoy was suspended above the employees by a crane from a separate barge. T hey were positioning the riser chain of a ship mooring leg, using crowbars, so t hat a concrete sinker block could be attached to the riser chain using plate sha ckles. While attempting to position the riser chain of the mooring leg with cro wbars, the capture plate of the buoy separated from its mounting ring, causing t he buoy to slide down the riser chain striking Employees #1, #2, #3, and #4 on top of the concrete sinker block. Employees #1 and #2 were killed from blunt force injuries of the head and torso. Employee #3 fractured his right ankle and received blunt force injuries just above his left buttocks. Employee #4 tore t wo ligaments in his left knee.