201940b Breast lines break - a warning

An LNG vessel was at berth and loading under some sea swell conditions. Sixteen lines had been used to secure the vessel. One of the
aft breast lines (line no 13, shown in red below), a galvanised steel wire rope, parted. The incident was without consequences and the line was replaced with a spare.

 

 

The company investigation found that:

• There was corrosion under the area covered by the seizing wire near the socket type fitting.

Lessons learned

• Seizing wires can prevent proper inspection and lubrication of wire rope mooring lines.
• The company decided to replace the socket type fittings with swaging/mechanical eye splice type at the upcoming dry dock.