Safety Alert - Technical No. 2
QUICK MOORING EQUIPMENT AND TECHNIQUES
Recently a serious accident occurred on a domestic passenger vessel
when a mooring hook
being used for “quick mooring” failed and this led to serious injury of a crew member. The vessel was
“steaming on a single spring” at the time.
Operators of all vessels utilising quick mooring techniques should
ensure that an adequate RISK ASSESSMENT has
been carried out before using quick methods of mooring. Amongst items to be considered should be:
- INSPECTION & SERVICE of all components
of mooring equipment at regular intervals.
- ASSESS
the mooring ropes, fittings and deck equipment for
the additional loads that they are subject to whilst the vessel is “steaming on a spring” given the
prevailing conditions.
- USE of only warps and
quick mooring equipment that is fit
for purpose.
- Special fittings should be DESIGNED
and
manufactured to withstand a greater breaking load than the warp to which they are attached, and tested
as appropriate.
- When loading or unloading passengers, vessels
should, whenever possible, be
PROPERLY SECURED alongside using ropes fore and aft in addition
to any "steaming on a spring". Otherwise failure of a single component or the engines could
result in the vessel moving and increasing the risk to passengers.
- If
engine use use is needed to maintain position ensure that only the MINIMUM
POWER necessary to keep the vessel in position is used.
- CARE
to ensure that undue strain is not put on mooring
equipment.
- Being particularly vigilant if NYLON
WARPS
are used; these can fail without warning and recoil with particular force.
- KEEPING
personnel and passengers clear of “snap-back zones”
when equipment is under load, where practical.
CHECK
LIST
- Mooring equipment is of adequate Safe Working Load
- All
mooring equipment should be checked regularly as part of the vessels Safety Management
System.
- Vessels secured fore and aft when loading or unloading
passengers.
- Mooring lines are properly secured to adequate mooring
points.
- All persons kept clear of moorings under load and out of
“snap-back zones”, where practical.
- All staff to be aware of the
hazards of the operation and any risk reduction measures in
place.
For further information please contact Shipping
Safety Branch,
Maritime & Coastguard Agency
Tel: +44 (023) 8032 9417
Issued:
January 2005
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