Ship-to-Ship (STS) Operations
Why STS failures escalate faster than crews expect Estimated read time: 70–85 minutesAudience: Cadet → AB → Junior Officer → Chief Mate Introduction – When two ships become one unstable system Ship-to-ship operations are often described as controlled, planned, and procedural. Checklists are extensive, communications are formal, and equipment is purpose-built. This creates the impression […]
Working Aloft & Overside
Why falls at sea happen even when everyone followed the permit Estimated read time: 70–85 minutesAudience: Cadet → AB → Junior Officer → Chief Mate Introduction – Height removes second chances Working aloft and overside combines three unforgiving elements: gravity, exposure, and false confidence. Tasks are often routine — painting, inspections, minor maintenance — and […]
Pilot Transfer Arrangements
Why “ladder rigged” is not the same as “ladder safe” Estimated read time: 65–80 minutesAudience: Cadet → AB → Junior Officer → Chief Mate Introduction – One of the deadliest routine tasks at sea Pilot transfer is one of the most deceptively dangerous operations carried out on deck. It happens close to the waterline, often […]
Boat Launch & Recovery
Why davit failures kill crews who did everything “by the book” Category: ON DECK → Launch & RecoveryEstimated read time: 65–80 minutesAudience: Zero knowledge → competent AB → junior officer → senior deck officer Introduction – The most dangerous routine job on deck Launching and recovering boats is one of the most hazardous routine operations […]
Cranes, Davits & Safe Working Load (SWL)
Why lifts fail when nothing breaks — and why numbers don’t protect people Category: ON DECK → Lifting OperationsEstimated read time: 65–80 minutesAudience: Zero knowledge → competent AB → junior officer → senior deck officer Introduction – The danger of believing the plate Every crane, davit, and lifting appliance on board carries a plate. On […]
Rigging & Slinging
How loads really move — and why most lifting injuries start before the crane lifts Category: ON DECK → Lifting OperationsEstimated read time: 60–75 minutesAudience: Zero knowledge → competent AB → junior officer → senior deck officer Introduction – Why lifting feels controlled right up to the moment it isn’t Lifting operations on deck are […]
Wire, Chain & Terminations
Failure you don’t see — until it’s already too late Category: ON DECK → Ropes, Wires & ChainsEstimated read time: 60–75 minutesAudience: Zero knowledge → competent AB → junior officer → senior deck officer Introduction – Why Steel Feels Safer Than It Is Steel inspires confidence. Wire ropes and chains look solid, heavy, and permanent. […]
Rope Materials Explained
Why some lines forgive mistakes — and others kill instantly Category: ON DECK → Ropes, Wires & ChainsEstimated read time: 60–75 minutesAudience: Zero knowledge → competent AB → junior officer → senior deck officer Introduction – Why “a rope is a rope” gets people killed To someone new on deck, all mooring ropes look broadly […]
Winches & Capstans
Entanglement, rendering, and the accidents nobody plans for Category: ON DECK → Deck MachineryEstimated read time: 55–70 minutesAudience: Zero knowledge → competent AB → junior officer → senior watchkeeper Introduction – Why Winches Kill Without Warning Winches and capstans are responsible for more fatal deck injuries than almost any other machinery. The reason is not […]
Windlass & Brake Systems
How anchoring control is actually lost on deck — and why it always feels sudden Category: ON DECK → Deck MachineryEstimated read time: 55–70 minutesAudience: Zero knowledge → competent AB → junior officer → senior watchkeeper Introduction – Why Windlasses Injure Experienced Crew The windlass is one of the most deceptive machines on deck. It […]