200207 Unsafe Mooring Practice

Unsafe Mooring Practice
Report No. 200207

Our vessel was in the process of berthing at a European port. A forward back spring was passed and secured to a dolphin ring by means of a gantline. As there was a lot of weight on the spring and the mooring gang had not taken sufficient turns of the gantline, the gantline parted. As the vessel was being "checked" by the spring, it was under tension and gave a severe backlash. Additionally, the bow started swinging out of control.

This incident could have caused injuries to the crew or mooring gang and damage to the quayside or other vessels had they been berthed close by. If it is necessary to use a gantline to secure a mooring line to a dolphin, the mooring gang must ensure that there are sufficient turns on the gantline. It should be borne in mind that it could be dangerous to try to check the vessel on a line which has been secured in this way using a gantline.