Mars Reports 2013
The Nautical Institute has issued Mars Report No.64 describing an accident in which the crewmember risked life and limb by making an ill-considered foot movement towards a line that was being hauled in. That one and the same person controlled the winch and cleared the line being wound onto the drum simultaneously contradicts the principles of good seamanship.
Working alone in one of the two separate work areas without a radio appears to be highly problematic. For safe execution of a berthing manoeuvre, it is essential that information can be exchanged at all times between the various work areas of the manoeuvring station, but also between the work areas and the bridge, in particular.
The accident shows that it is easily possible to confuse the winch’s direction of rotation and that doing so can have serious consequences. The handwritten and only partially readable ‘label’ on the winch’s control station shows that uncertainty with respect to the direction of rotation of the winch in relation to the respective lever position apparently also existed before the accident.
Safety action taken The control units of the winches on the stern of the vessel (and her sister ship) have been moved to a position further forward and each equipped with a safety cage for the winch driver. |
Find more information and view relevant photos by clicking at Mars Report N0.64 – Mooring winch ties up operator