201850 Mooring line mishap

Mooring line mishap

A tanker was in the process of mooring in a river berth. Two headlines were rigged on the same shore bollard (hooks), while the third was positioned on a second bollard. As the fore mooring party started to shorten up the lines, it was noted that one of the three headlines was twisted on the other two. The linesmen were called back to attend the vessel and to rearrange the fore headlines.

Two linesmen arrived. Once the line was slacked the linesmen started to haul in the line in order to have some slack to move it easily, using the winch positioned on top of the bollard. The fore mooring party was watching, waiting for the order from linesman to haul up.

When enough line had been hauled ashore, the linesmen shifted the eye of the rope on the hook. The linesman was in the process of removing the layer on the drum when the slacked rope suddenly moved ahead on the left, hitting the linesman and throwing him down the embankment and into the water.

Immediately the alarm was raised and the linesman was quickly recovered from the water. First aid was administered and the linesman was declared fit soon after.

 

 

Lessons learned

• When working with mooring lines, always be situationally aware of the forces and direction of tension that are in play – both on board and ashore.
• It is always good practice to keep linesmen in view while they are working your lines. If an accident happens to them, you are well placed to raise the alarm quickly.