Guidance issued by IMCA for offshore vessels when mooring in ports and harbors
Last year, the Internatioanl Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) published guidance with safe practices for offshore vessels when mooring alongside in ports and harbors. Mooring can be a very hazardous operation unless simple and effective safety procedures are followed. Mooring accidents are always on the list of personal injury accidents, often resulting in severe injuries or even fatalities.
According to the IMCA Guidance, the key to safe and effective mooring operations is planning and ensuring that appropriate procedures are followed. A mooring operation risk assessment should always be carried out. Also, communication between the mooring team is a key part of safe mooring procedures. The mooring team should always be wearing the proper personal protective equipment (PPE). This should be verified by the person in charge. The person in charge should be easily identifiable and heard clearly by the rest of the mooring team.
Typical PPE consists of the following items:
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Potential Hazards
According to IMCA Guidance, particular attention should be paid to mooling lines when appear signs of fraying, any damage and signs of corrosion in order to avoid potential hazards. For example, rope may be lying loose on the deck prior to being tensioned. In this case, mooring team should ensure that nobody is standing in any rope bights.
Hazards from mooring operations also arise from the following: slipping on oil or ice, inadequate lighting, bad condition of elevated winch gratings
Learn how to protect yourshelf while mooring by reading IMCA Guidance – Mooring Practice Safety
Persons in charge of mooring work must know the mooring well and do the mooring operations safely and reliably according to safe rules and mooring procedures. Much attention should be paid to the mooring work to avoid dangers and risks. What do you think are the most important factors affect mooring operations?