A crew member was killed by a recoiling mooring line during a bulker berthing move that contravened port procedures, UK accident investigators said.
The second officer on the 64,000-dwt ultramax Mona Manx (built 2017) was struck by the snapped line at Puerto Ventanas in Chile on 26 August 2021.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) said the Isle of Man-flagged vessel was berthing at the port under its own power at the time.
The use of the vessel’s engines to manoeuvre along the berth was in contravention of the port’s procedures, it found.
The line had become trapped between the vessel and the berth, probably in way of a fender, then suddenly released as the vessel moved astern under its own power, MAIB said.
The officer was hit under the chin by the recoiling line.
He was lifted off his feet and thrown backwards, causing his head to strike the accommodation ladder that was behind and above him.
The force of the impact threw his safety helmet backwards, and his VHF radio was catapulted into the water as he collapsed onto the deck.
The seafarer was found lying in a large pool of blood.
Within seconds, the pilot requested medical assistance from the port.
A medical team boarded but the officer was pronounced dead at the scene.
Moved into danger zone
MAIB said the seafarer had moved to the danger zone to obtain a better view of the mooring line as the vessel manoeuvred.
The report found the exchange between the master and pilot completed before the operation did not include all available information.
MAIB also said the crew had not been briefed on the manoeuvre, and the hazards associated with mooring line recoil were not mitigated.
The port company, Puerto Ventanas, has been recommended to review and update information made available to masters and pilots before a port call.
This should include instructions that engines are not to be used to conduct manoeuvres while moored alongside.
The ship was owned at the time by Mona Marine and operated by MX Bulk Management in the Isle of Man.
The manager, United Marine Management Services of Singapore, was responsible for ensuring compliance with the International Safety Management code.
MX Bulk has been contacted for comment.
