94006 Berthing Damage

 Hold on to the Spring?
- Holland. Evening.
- Report No. 94006.

The vessel entered the lock at slow speed at 2120. The first line, the forward spring from the starboard mooring winch, was put ashore at 2130. Immediately after the spring was hooked on to the bollard ashore, the forward mooring party started heaving up the slack but the vessel still had strong head movement. The bridge was informed of the situation and ordered that full slack was given on the spring to avoid breaking the rope. The vessel continued moving ahead despite the engine being stopped and the spring kept getting tight. The distance from the lock gate was about 30 meters when the king roller was removed from its welded position on deck, thrown up and landed near the railings on the starboard side. Damage occurred to the mooring winch engaging/disengaging handle, brake handle, a hydrant and the railings.

The person in charge of the mooring party does not seem to have appreciated that it is extremely dangerous to heave up on the spring whilst the vessel is still moving ahead at speed and that merely stopping the engines does not take the way off of the vessel.