Mooring

April 2015

Notes for Guidance

What the Engagement Pack includes

Who is to be Engaged?

For the use of vessel crews and all those who are involved in
marine operations.

Key points the supervisor should cover in their discussion

Questions the supervisor can ask the group

Purpose of the Engagement Pack

Where?

To help supervisors provide their staff with a platform to have a

meaningful safety discussion and encourage sharing of
experiences and discussions around their learning outcomes.

Engagement should be carried out in a quiet room/area where they

will not be disturbed. The vessels office, mess room, or quiet area
in a workshop would be suitable.

Using the Engagement Pack

When to hold the Engagement

This pack has been designed for use by a supervisor in front of a

group of no more than 10 people. The pack should be placed on a
table with the pictures facing the group and the notes facing the
supervisor. Use practical demonstration where possible. The notes
are memory joggers to highlight key points but should not be read
word for word.

Choose a time that is suitable for all staff. This should be when
they are alert and most likely to contribute to the discussion. This
will help in absorbing and retaining the information for much
longer.

Preparing for an Engagement Session

Before beginning the session the supervisor should familiarise
themselves with the content and its purpose. Make sure there is
enough space for the staff to interact with each other.

Mooring April 2015

This Engagement Pack IS NOT to be used for skills

training or a task requiring a licensed operator. This IS
NOT a tool box talk. This is an opportunity for staff on
board to talk about safety without feeling rushed to
commence their work. The rate of learning is more
important than completing the pack so allow two or more
sessions if necessary.

Health, Safety, Security and Environment

Snap Back

Mooring April 2015

Health, Safety, Security and Environment

Snap Back
The main hazard:

A significant danger when handling mooring lines is snap back

It is the sudden release of the energy stored in the tensioned

mooring line when it breaks

Discussion points:

A rope or wire parting under tension can result in a recoil velocity

1. How can incidents be avoided in the snap-back zone? Lets

discuss some ideas

of up to 800 km/h (500 mph)

Always pay special attention to the following:

Key message: Keep Clear of the Snap Back

Zone

2. Which behaviours can we pay particular attention to so that we

can avoid an incident?

Changing snap back zones due to change in configuration of the

mooring lines

Always stand clear of ANY ropes under tension and look out for
your colleagues (Intervention)

Supervisors should maintain a helicopter view at all times (Do not

get involved in doing the mooring)

Mooring April 2015

Health, Safety, Security and Environment

Bight of Mooring Rope

Mooring April 2015

Health, Safety, Security and Environment

Bight of Mooring Rope

The main hazard:
A significant number of personal injury incidents during mooring

Key message: Do not get caught in a

bight of Mooring rope

operations involve getting caught within a bight or coil of rope

Discussion points:
Always pay special attention to the following:
Stand clear bights dont always look like bights!
Intervene if you notice a colleague is not paying attention to a

1. How can incidents involving getting caught in a bight be avoided?

Lets discuss some ideas
2. Which behaviours can we pay particular attention to so that we
can avoid an incident?

changing situation
Ropes that are not kept in a tidy manner
Supervisor to watch out for others who may not have noticed
themselves getting trapped in a bight
Sufficient number of people are available for the mooring operation

Mooring April 2015

Health, Safety, Security and Environment

Handling Tug Lines

Mooring April 2015

Health, Safety, Security and Environment

Handling Tug Lines

The main issues:

Getting injured by movement of the main tug line parting

Injury from the pick up rope during making fast and letting go tug
lines

Always pay special attention to the following:

Communication between the tug and the vessel

Visual communication between mooring supervisor and the tug

Key message: Stay well clear of the towline at

all times
Discussion points:
1. How can incidents involving tug lines be avoided? Lets discuss
some ideas
2. Which behaviours can we pay particular attention to so that we
can avoid an incident involving tug lines?

crew

While picking up and letting go tugs line, ensure it is done in a

controlled manner

Large height difference between the vessel and the tug

Keep clear of the tug line while it is towing

Mooring April 2015

Health, Safety, Security and Environment

Drums, Capstans and Stoppers

Mooring April 2015

Health, Safety, Security and Environment

Drums, Capstans and Stoppers

The main issues:

Getting fingers and hands trapped while handling mooring ropes

Key message: Keep fingers and hands clear of

warping drum and stoppers

on warping drums and stoppers

Discussion points:
Always pay special attention to the following:

Keeping safe distance from the end of the warping drum or

capstan

Ensure the rope is clear of the position the person handling the

1. How can incident involving use of warping drums, capstans and

stoppers be avoided? Lets discuss some ideas
2. Which behaviours can we pay particular attention to when using
warping drums, capstans and stoppers so that we can avoid an
incident?

warping drum

Follow correct method to take the weight on the stopper while

transferring the mooring rope from the warping drum to the bitts

Use the rope stoppers on the Fibre / synthetic rope and chain
stoppers on wire ropes

Mooring April 2015

Health, Safety, Security and Environment

Family

Remember
YOUR FAMILY NEEDS YOU

Mooring April 2015

Health, Safety, Security and Environment

Family
Notes:

Get people to think about their families

Also think about their circle of friends and close extended
families as not everyone might have immediate family

Key message: Remember you do not have a

spare of yourself for your family
Discussion points:
1. Why are we important to our family and friends?
2. How can we set good examples of safety for our colleagues so
that we can all go back safely to our families?

Mooring April 2015

Health, Safety, Security and Environment