LTI during mooring operations

What happened?

During mooring operations in the forward mooring deck of a large vessel, crew were in the process of sending out lines to line handlers ashore.  When sending out the last breast line, they lost control and the line was slackened out in force.  Despite shouted warnings to the contrary, the crewman closest to the line tried stopping it with his hands.  The force of the line’s movement resulted in a hairline fracture to his right hand.  Medical treatment was given on-board before signing off the same day/port to recover from his injury.

What went wrong?

• Warning: the bosun observed what was happening and shouted out a warning to the crew not to attempt stopping the line. This warning was possibly not heard by the crewman who was closest to the line who tried stopping it with his hands;
• The injured crew member had more than 10 years’ experience as a carpenter on similar vessels/operations, but did not have an STCW A II/5 license, nor could it be documented that he had received equivalent training on board as required by the company;
• The Bosun oversaw the mooring operation on the forward mooring deck. No Officer was in charge as required by company procedures.

What were the causes?

• The force of the rapidly moving line was misjudged when deciding to attempt stopping it by hand;
• The mooring operations were being conducted without an officer in charge and with crew members lacking appropriate qualification requirements;
• The existing company procedures for mooring operations were neither followed nor enforced;
• The risk of events such as this occurring had not been assessed.

Members may wish to refer to:

• Mooring practice safety guidance for offshore vessels when alongside in ports and harbours (IMCA M 214, IMCA HSSE 029)
• In the line of fire (IMCA SEL 036, video)
• Mooring incidents (IMCA SEL 038, video)
• Line of fire (video)