Trending Scary Mooring Accident – Learn How To Be Safe

Mooring your vessel might seem like a routine task, but safety should always be a top priority. Here’s a breakdown of some key precautions to take to avoid accidents:

Keeping the Deck Safe:

• Slip and Slide? Not on Our Watch: Regularly check the areas where mooring happens. If they don’t have treads already, add some anti-slip paint. Most importantly, keep these areas clean and free of clutter. Think of it like having a clean workspace on land – it helps prevent stumbles and falls.
• Regular Checkups for Machinery: Just like you take your car for maintenance, the mooring winches, fixtures, and fittings on your vessel need regular checkups too. Follow the Planned Maintenance System (PMS) to keep them inspected, maintained, and well-greased. Leaky hydraulic lines are a big no-no, so fix them right away. You might even want to consider adding “save-alls” to catch leaks and protect the deck from further damage.

Keeping Lines and Equipment in Top Shape:

• Smooth Operators: Fairleads and rollers need regular TLC. Lubricate them, check that they move freely, and inspect them for wear and tear. Don’t forget to examine the bitts (those posts that hold mooring lines) for any warping or cracks. If you’ve used the fairleads for wires before, make sure there’s no metal damage before using them with fiber ropes.
• Winch Like a Pro: When using winches, ensure they start and stop smoothly. After use, isolate them from power. Clear markings indicating the direction of movement are essential. Brakes are crucial, so make sure they’re in good working order with all linkages functioning properly. Also, check the brake lining thickness – it should meet the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Winding it Right: Winch drums are designed to hold ropes under tension most effectively when the line pulls against the fixed end of the brake. So, it’s important to wind the lines onto the drums exactly as the manufacturer recommends. This ensures the brakes don’t fail prematurely.
• Brakes On, Safety On: For winches with disc brakes, the winding direction doesn’t matter. Regardless of the type, winch brakes should be set to hold roughly 60% of the rope’s minimum breaking load on the drum. Clutches should operate smoothly too, and have their control lever securing pins ready for use. Finally, keep the drum ends smooth, clean, and free of grooves, rust, paint, and oil.

Safety First:

Before you even start mooring, do a thorough visual inspection of all winches, ropes, fixtures, and fittings. Test the machinery as well. If you find any defective equipment, take it out of service immediately and get it repaired or replaced. Remember, a little precaution goes a long way in keeping everyone safe on deck.