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Unsafe mooring practices - DEV imca
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Unsafe mooring practices

What happened

During a routine marine inspection of a vessel it was observed that rope lines had been attached to the mooring winch control levers to facilitate ‘remote’ operation of the winches.

This is an inappropriate and unsafe practice. There are a number of very good reasons why, including:

  • Accidentally pulling on the wrong line and performing an unintended action;
  • Crew member getting entangled in the lines and inadvertently operating the winch;
  • Lack of proper control of winches.

Mooring and unmooring a vessel is inherently a potentially dangerous operation and requires crews to be in full control of all associated equipment.

Recommendations included:

  • Adequate personnel under the supervision of a certified officer should be available for:
    • handling of equipment and gear
    • communications
    • directing the winchman.

Members are referred to the following IMCA publications:

Safety Event

Published: 25 July 2017
Download: IMCA SF 18/17

Relevant life-saving rules:
IMCA Safety Flashes
Submit a Report

IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of all. The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on Members sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Please consider adding safetyreports@imca-int.com to your internal distribution list for safety alerts or manually submitting information on incidents you consider may be relevant. All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate.

IMCA’s store terms and conditions (https://www.imca-int.com/legal-notices/terms/) apply to all downloads from IMCA’s website, including this document.

IMCA makes every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained in the documents it publishes, but IMCA shall not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained. The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual’s or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.