Tag: mooring

UK P&I Club - Loss prevention information The UK P&I Club has been advised of changes in mooring practices with regard to double banking at Torrevaldaliga Nord quay in the Port of Civitavecchia. It is now provided that the Local Association of Moorers (Gruppo Ormeggiatori) is in charge of checking the safety of mooring ropes of double banked vessels every 4 hours. The details of these changes are given as follows:New text of article 10 of order n. 29/10 of Port Authority of Civitavecchia - Quay Torrevaldaliga NordArt. 10 - Double Banking. Further to assessment and forecast of weather conditions, Port Authority may authorize the contemporary double banking of one multipurpose vessel and one panamax vessel.In order to guarantee safety of mooring/unmooring manoeuvres, contemporary mooring of several multipurpose and post-panamax is not allowed.In case of double banking as per previous paragraph one, if not provided to the contrary by the Port Authority of Civitavecchia, the Gruppo Ormeggiatori shall control the mooring conditions of the two units by the means of regular inspections (every 4 hours); these inspections shall regard, in particular, the crossing of the panamax vessel's stern mooring ropes with the multipurpose vessel's bow mooring ropes; the outcome of ...

Ministry of Transport and Communications says Shipping and mooring at Klaipeda Seaport will be safer from now on, the Ministry of Transport and Communications said.The first horizontal water flows' meter installed close to the port entrance will enable dispatchers to receive precise information on the water flows at the total width of the port shipping channel, reports LETA/ELTA.This information will be forwarded to pilots, so that they could be able to arrange safer and efficient shipping and mooring at the quays of the port. Klaipeda Seaport is located between the Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea. Melting snow or a heavy fall of rain may cause the surge of Curonian Lagoon water level, thus directing the intense water flow to the Baltic Sea. Also a strong wind may suddenly change the water flow direction.Sometimes it happens that opposite flows of water occur in different parts of the channel.The newly implemented modern horizontal ultrasound meter will enable the Port Authority staff to monitor precisely the water flows and to simplify the movement and mooring of ships at the port. Source: The Baltic-Course

Fatality on a container ship during mooring operations in Veracruz The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) issued the report of its investigation of the fatality on a container ship during mooring operations in Veracruz on 15 July 2011.The vessel was moving astern along its berth, assisted by two tugs. The headline parted under tension, snapping back and striking an ordinary seaman on the forecastle. The mooring rope had previously suffered abrasion damaged that significantly decreased its residual strength.For more information, click here.Source: UK MAIB

Incident in Cheung Chau Typhoon Shelter The initial findings of an investigation by the Marine Department into an incident inside the Cheung Chau Typhoon Shelter this morning (October 21) involving the high-speed catamaran First Ferry IX have revealed that the ferry strayed outside the navigational fairway into a mooring area.Initial reports received showed that the First Ferry IX, which has a length of 28.84 metres, was carrying 140 passengers and four crew members and departed from Cheung Chau for Central at 5.10am.The vessel struck a mooring dolphin inside Cheung Chau Typhoon Shelter at 5.15am, causing significant casualties onboard.In the incident, 76 people were injured and sent to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Queen Mary Hospital, Ruttonjee & Tang Shiu Kin Hospitals and St John Hospital, comprising 49 males and 27 females, aged from 19 to 82.The ferry sustained significant damage to its starboard bow.The Marine Department investigation showed that a light beacon nearest to the mooring dolphin was lit and functioning properly in accordance with the nautical chart.The investigation into the incident will pay special attention to the speed of the First Ferry IX at the time of the collision.Source: Hong Kong Marine Department

The Club has analysed the claims it has received in respect of mooring incidents The UK P&I Club has applauded the European Harbour Masters' Committee (EHMC) for its release of a new DVD entitled "The Missing Link - Improving the mooring process".The UK Club has for a long time been very concerned about the number and severity of accidents which occur when ships are under tow or are engaged in mooring alongside. Even fatalities to crew and to shoreside mooring gangs are not rare occurrences while far too many incidents result in injuries that will end a seafarer's or stevedore's career. Despite much publicity regarding the risks, the 'do's and do not's' when working as part of a mooring party, the Club says the claims still keep coming in, often accompanied by horrific photographs.Over recent years, the Club has analysed the claims it has received in respect of mooring incidents.This new DVD has been produced by the EHMC in partnership with, amongst others, the Nautical Institute and the UK Club, which the EHMC says "delivered valuable input and know how". The Nautical Institute will launch the Missing Link in its November issue of Seaways and will dedicate this issue to ...

The rope killed two workmen at the berth. Hong Kong Marine Department issues Merchant Shipping Information Note regarding Fatal accident involving parting of mooring rope during vessel's berthing. This Note refers to all Shipowners, Ship Managers, Ship Operators, Masters, Officers and crew on board Hong Kong registered ships.During berthing of a Hong Kong registered container vessel in Kobe, Japan, a mooring rope on board the vessel parted and killed two workmen at the berth.This Note draws theattention of the shipowners, ship managers, ship operators, Masters, officers and crew on board Hong Kong registered ships on the important lessons learnt from this accident.The Incident1. During berthing of a Hong Kong registered ship at a container terminal in Kobe, Japan, a mooring rope on board the vessel parted. Snapping of the rope hit and killed two workmen engaged in the mooring operation.2. The Japan Transport Safety Board conducted the investigation into the accident and the report can be found at http://www.mlit.go.jp/jtsb/marrep.html. The findings of the investigation are:a) While the vessel was berthing, the pilot was actually in command of the vessel and under the pilot's advice, the Master and the Chief Officer at the bridge were directing the Second Officer and the ...

During berthing of a Hong Kong registered container vessel in Kobe, Japan, a mooring rope on board the vessel parted and killed two workmen at the berth.

Preventative actions with a view to preventing recurrence A large crude carrier berthed at a loading terminal, deploying two headlines, four breastlines, two backsprings forward and two sternlines, four breastlines, two backsprings aft, as recommended by the pilot. After loading commenced, moorings were regularly tended to by ship's staff.However, the following evening, the terminal suspended loading, stating that the vessel had moved position forward by 2.5 metres. The vessel contested this claim, estimating that the movement did not exceed a metre. Nevertheless, the crew immediately repositioned the vessel to the satisfaction of the terminal and loading was resumed. Root cause/contributory factorsInappropriate advice on moorings configuration by berthing pilot that was not in accordance with published guidelines which recommended a 3-2-2 configuration of mooring lines fore and aft;Location of the shore fittings (quick-release hooks) was such that the after breastlines led ahead, acting like additional after backsprings;Uneven distribution of forces caused the vessel to move ahead during loading.Corrective actionsVessel was repositioned immediately by ship's staff to the terminal's satisfaction;A prominent reference mark was secured on the ship's rail and the correct position of the ship at the berth was closely and continuously monitored; Master and chief officer held a meeting with ...

The Master should determine an optimum mooring plan After completing loading operations our gas tanker's crew secured the ship's accommodation ladder. As a routine pre-sailing procedure, the terminal had rigged a temporary gangway from the shore for two representatives, who boarded to disconnect the loading arm.A large tanker passed our vessel, causing it to surge and sway away from the jetty by about two metres. The shore end of the gangway came away from the jetty and fell on top of taut mooring ropes (after backsprings). Immediately, our crew safely re-moored the vessel and the shore gangway was repositioned and secured. The gangway and loading arm were visually examined after the incident. Damage caused: The wire operating the counterweight of the loading arm was stretched during the incident and will need renewal; The triple swivel of the loading arm was found to be stuck after the incident and will need to be surveyed and repaired.Potential lossesThere was a risk of death/or serious injury to the terminal personnel if they happened to be on the gangway at the time of the incident; The loading arm will be out of service for some time, resulting in financial consequences for the terminal; The ...