This security incident report, primarily based on findings from the Marine Security Investigation Unit (MSIU), considerations a severe damage sustained by a crew member throughout mooring operations within the port of Marsaxlokk, Malta, on 8 Might 2020. The aim of this report is to doc the circumstances, causes, corrective measures, and classes discovered to assist forestall comparable incidents.
A vessel was conducting mooring operations at an offshore fuelling dolphin with a pilot on board. On the aft mooring station, the mooring workforce seen uneven rigidity between two stern strains — one was taut whereas the opposite remained slack. Whereas making an attempt to equalize the stress, the taut line parted and recoiled, hanging the third officer on the top and forearm.
Rope Failure Components and Fleet-Broad Mooring Security Enhancements
The injured officer remained aware, obtained instant first support from crew members, and was later transferred ashore for hospital remedy. The parted rope was discovered to have been in service since October 2019, after a number of years in onboard storage.
The investigation decided that the rope’s breaking energy had deteriorated to lower than 50% of its licensed minimal breaking load as a consequence of attainable abrasion, inner friction, and potential chemical contamination. The mooring association used positioned extreme pressure on one line, which was led at a pointy angle over mooring bitts, growing put on and inner stress. Crew consideration was diverted to adjusting one other rope, leaving the taut line beneath steady load from the vessel’s ahead drift. A breakdown in communication between the bridge and deck groups doubtless contributed to using a configuration not absolutely supported by the vessel’s design.
In response, the working firm applied fleet-wide security measures, together with introducing mooring operation audits, issuing security bulletins, revising danger assessments to emphasize communication and supervision, and enhancing coaching for secure rope dealing with. They adopted procurement insurance policies to make use of solely ropes with snap-back arrestor know-how, set a five-year most service life for ropes with a mid-life turnover, and required annual energy testing. Procedures have been up to date to protect Voyage Knowledge Recorder (VDR) knowledge after occupational accidents and to align inspection practices with trade requirements.
Classes Discovered
Conduct common energy testing of mooring ropes along with visible inspections.
Guarantee mooring configurations align with vessel design to keep away from overloading particular person strains.
Preserve secure positions and consciousness of snap-back zones throughout rope dealing with.
Affirm and talk mooring plans clearly between bridge and deck groups.
Assign roles in order that vital strains beneath load are repeatedly monitored.
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Supply: MSIU
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