Inspection Detail

Inspection: 1587306.015 - Lauderdale Lakes Marina, Llc

Inspection Information - Office: Madison Area Office

Investigation Summary

At 12:45 p.m. on April 1, 2022, the local marina's pier division had a crew of three employees working to install a pier, boat/jet ski lifts, and a swim raft at a residential property on Lauderdale Lakes. They were using a Kann crane barge powered by a 115 horsepower Mercury outboard motor and an Amco Verba crane Model V806NF4S on the deck of the barge. They were also using a separate flat deck barge to work from, as needed. Multiple sections of the pier had been installed, along with a boat lift, and a couple of jet ski lifts. The final step was to install a swim pier, which had been lifted onto the crane barge to prepare it for installation. Employee #1 and Employee #2 were on the crane barge, when Employee #1 turned the key to start the outboard motor of the crane barge and there was an explosion in the hull of the crane barge. The explosion resulted in significant damage to the barge, causing the entire floor to separate from the hull, and also launched tools, materials, and portions of the barge in the air that landed on the water and on shore. Employee #1 landed in the hull of the barge and was killed. Employee #2 landed in the water and suffered a significant fracture to one leg, along with other minor injuries and was hospitalized. A coworker was on the adjacent flat deck barge and was thrown into the water.

Keywords: Barge, Crane, Explosion, Flying Object, Fracture, Installing, Leg, Pier