201617 Catch of the day
Edited from US Coast Guard (USCG) Safety Alert 12-15
A vessel was preparing to depart the port. The forward mooring line messenger was secured to the tow hitch of a pick-up truck to assist in the task. When the line was thrown off the bollard, the ship began to haul it in with the messenger still attached to the truck. The pick-up truck was subsequently dragged into the harbour. The shore-side line handler in the truck narrowly escaped dire consequences by quickly jumping out before it was dragged off the berth.
Line handlers often use the assistance of powered machinery such as trucks, forklifts and golf carts to help handle mooring lines. The extreme weights of the mooring lines involved and the lack of adequate personnel to accomplish this task safely lead to the unconventional line handling practices.
Lessons learned
- Ship’s crew should use caution and remain vigilant when hauling in, ensuring that lines and cables are clear and free of attachments. Special attention should be given to the mooring lines as they are coming off the dock and being hauled aboard.
