Page 7 - COBH EDITION 17TH MAY DIGITAL VERSION

In tandem with the growth in the cruise business, measures employed to safeguard
PoCC staff, vessel crew and passengers and the general public have also increased.
Examples of some recent safety measures taken by the Port of Cork include the in-
stallation of fixed railings along the quayside, the creation of a designated walkway
so passengers and the public can clearly follow the entry and exit points, the pur-
chase of uprated gangways, and a traffic management plan has been implemented
to cope with the movement of coaches in such a confined area.
Several high-risk areas have also been identified, such as the Pilot embarkation at
sea, turning large vessels in confined areas and mooring operations. The Port has
implemented controls in all identified high-risk areas to reduce the likelihood of ac-
cidents or incidents.

Brendan Keating said: ‘During berthing operations, the ship will send mooring ropes
ashore that are connected to mooring bollards and depending on weather conditions
on the day, may use up to 10 mooring lines to secure the vessel. A critical period in
any mooring operation occurs just as the ropes are being tightened when first con-
nected to the shore bollards. At this time a single rope may come under pressure
due to a sudden ship movement, a strong wind gust or if excessive pressure is ap-
plied from the mooring winch operator. In practice, while mooring rope failures are
rare and some new ropes are constructed with a material to prevent “snap back”,
the risk still needs to be managed.

Like every port around the globe, the Port of Cork does not take risks, especially
when it comes to the safety of employees, the public or visitors and for this very
reason, the Port of Cork close’s off the quay during arrival operations. The quay is
normally closed for a period of approx.30 minutes and during this period the ar-
riving shore excursion coaches’ are marshalled into place while the quay is free of
pedestrians, thus reducing any risk of a traffic accident.