Page 10 - CHIRP annual digest 2016.pdf

CHIRP Maritime

Back Springs

Breast Ropes Crew
Crew

Ofcer
Crew

poor leads. This led to excessive strain being placed on the This is a good example of an inappropriate berth in
lines as the departing passenger vessel’s wake interacted relation to the size of vessel; it could have been refused.
with the moored vessel. Ships’ mooring arrangements are designed for con -
ventional long leads forward and aft. The use of stern
The design of the ship’s after mooring station appears poor;
(and probably head) lines in reverse direction as shown
mooring lines may be at greater risk of parting due to the greatly increases the stress on mooring arrangements,
angled leads and the need to use roller leads across the deck.
and encourages premature failure with obvious safety
In this case the mooring bollards have not been employed. implications. In this case the passenger ship’s manoeuvres
There is an apparent lack of general awareness; the officer
at very close quarters may – through interaction and
and crew members had placed themselves within the after surge – have amplified the danger of mooring failure.
mooring ropes snap back zone at a time when the mooring
lines were likely to come under surge load.
CHIRP Suggests
The lessons to be learnt The whole mooring deck in this case is a “snap back
A charterer’s responsibility is to provide a safe berth for zone” especially in such a confined area with multiple
a ship. The Master’s right and responsibility is to refuse unconventional leads. Consideration may be given to
the berth where – based on observation, professional identifying and marking alternative “tension spots”.
judgment, and the prevalent conditions – he considers These carefully considered relatively safe points for
the standard not to have been met. Commercial mooring parties to stand and operate will limit exposure
pressures can of course make this a challenging call; to snap back and discipline crew to remain in sheltered
there are suggestions that inappropriate berthing is on areas to the maximum extent possible. Mooring lines may
the increase under the weight of increasing maritime be subject to surge at any time; roaming and un -
trade and ship sizes. authorised movement on working decks should be

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