The Shipowners’ P&I Club advises operators to draw their attention to the use of poorly constructed heaving lines with particular focus on the weights being used on the end. These can cause severe injury to crew or damage to the vessel on impact. The same can be said for heavy objects enclosed within monkeys fists which can result in similar injuries.
The ‘Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers’ Chapter 26 section 26.3.5 states;
“To prevent personal injury to those receiving heaving lines, the ‘monkey’s fist’ should be made with rope only and must not contain added weighting material. Safe alternatives include a small high-visibility soft pouch, filled with fast-draining pea shingle or similar, with a weight of not more than 0.5 kg. Under no circumstances is a line to be weighted by items such as shackles, bolts or nuts, or twist locks”.
The Club reminds operators that the use of such prohibited weights at the end of heaving lines may lead to prosecution.
There have been several instances where dangerously weighted heaving lines, including the use of monkey’s fists with additional weights inserted into them, have been used resulting in serious injury. Further guidance is contained in Ch 26 section 26.3.5 in the 2015 edition of the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers. Please click below to view related examples
Source: The Shipowners’ P&I Club
heaving lines?.
Under what legislation could a Port prosecute from the use of dangerously weighted heaving lines