UK MAIB has issued an investigation report on an incident where a crew member suffered fatal injuries due to being struck by a mooring line in August 2021.
The incident
On the morning of August 26, 2021, the second officer of a Isle of Man-registered bulk carrier suffered fatal injuries after being struck by a recoiling mooring line. The incident occurred while the vessel was berthing at Puerto Ventanas, Chile. The mooring line became trapped between the vessel and the berth, likely near a fender, and was suddenly released as the vessel maneuvered astern under its own power.
Investigation findings
The second officer was struck because he was standing in the danger zone of the tensioned mooring line when it released. The investigation highlighted the following contributing factors:
- The second officer likely moved into the danger zone to get a better view of the mooring line during the vessel’s maneuvering.
- The vessel was maneuvered astern under its own power, contravening the port’s procedures.
- The Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers (COSWP) did not adequately address risks associated with mooring line entrapment and vertical recoil.
- Critical information for safe berthing was not fully discussed during the master/pilot exchange (MPX).
- The astern maneuver with deployed mooring lines was neither part of a toolbox talk nor risk-assessed, and the hazard of mooring line recoil was not mitigated.
- Congested radio communication might have hindered the crew’s ability to safely conduct the berthing operation.
Safety issues directly contributing to the accident that have been addressed or resulted in recommendations
- The vessel’s 2/O was fatally injured when he was struck on the head by the aft spring line, which became trapped, tensioned, and released when the bulk carrier manoeuvred astern along the berth under its own power.
- It is highly probable that the 2/O moved forward to the side deck and ducked underneath the accommodation ladder to improve his view of the aft spring line, and this placed him in the danger zone of the tensioned mooring line.
- The vessel was manoeuvred astern under its own power in contravention of the port’s procedures.
- The vessel’s manoeuvre astern with mooring lines deployed was neither the subject of a toolbox talk nor risk assessed by the vessel’s crew or port operator and hazards associated with mooring line recoil were not mitigated.
- The port’s berthing procedures were neither provided to the vessel’s master or pilot nor discussed during the MPX, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the MPX to assist a safe berthing operation.
Action taken
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency published the COSWP 2015 edition – Amendment 7, October 2022, which included amendments to the Anchoring, Mooring and Towing Operations chapter summarised below:
- Risk assessment and control measures should consider the mooring equipment at the berth, with consideration given to the snagging of lines on shoreside fixtures, such as a fender, that then come under tension and suddenly release.
- A snagged line under tension that then releases without breaking might recoil in the horizontal or vertical plane, or a combination of both. Risk assessments should consider the possibility that lines under tension suddenly releasing or the recoil of a parted line might have a vertical component.
- Personnel should steer clear of lines under tension and avoid snap-back areas and entrapped lines due to the risk of a sudden release under tension.
- There may be danger areas that have not been identified as snap-back zones.
- Risk exists in any area, including side decks, where there is the potential for lines to come under tension or snap-back.
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Source: UK MAIB
