The UK P&I Club has warned of the dangers of mooring operations in difficult weather conditions — citing a recent incident involving an unnamed bulker —as IMO regulators are set to sit down next week to discuss new guidelines for the practice.
In a loss-prevention note, the UK Club said a seafarer had broken a thigh bone after being struck by a mooring rope. The vessel was being affected by a strong wind, causing the mooring rope to slacken and then suddenly come under high tension.
Describing the incident, UK Club senior loss-prevention executive David Nichol said: “During this operation, an able seaman working aft stood astride a slackened spring rope which suddenly came under tension, striking his leg with considerable force. After being landed ashore, the able seaman was hospitalised with a broken thigh bone, requiring a period of rehabilitation of almost one year.”
The UK Club said such “shock loading” of mooring ropes was more likely during heavy weather when the movement of the vessel could not be controlled.
Commenting on the hazards of mooring operations, Nichol said: “The combination of increased ship size and decreasing manning levels means that mooring operations can be one of the most challenging and potentially dangerous tasks required of seafarers today.”
