Maritime workers' legs crushed at WA wharf

Two maritime workers are in hospital in Western Australia's Pilbara region after having their legs crushed in an accident on board a cargo ship.

An Australian Maritime Safety Authority spokesman says the crew members were moving equipment on the Netherlands-registered Happy Buccaneer and preparing to depart the Roy Hill wharf at Port Hedland on Monday morning when their legs became trapped.

Both men's legs were broken and they were brought to Hedland Health Campus for treatment.

Roy Hill said it helped with the response to the accident.

"The authority, jurisdiction and command and control for activities being undertaken at the time of the incident reside with the ship's master," the company said in an emailed statement.

"We received a request for assistance and our team immediately responded to the incident, providing medical treatment to the injured people before they were transported to Port Hedland hospital for treatment.

"Our thoughts are with the injured people, their families and work colleagues."