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 the 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.
Safety issues
- the 2/O moved to the danger zone to obtain a better view of the mooring line as the vessel manoeuvred astern
- the use of the vessel’s engines to manoeuvre along the berth was in contravention of the port’s procedures
- the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers (COSWP) did not address the hazards of line entrapment or vertical recoil
- the master/pilot exchange (MPX) completed before the operation did not include all available information
- the crew had not been briefed on the manoeuvre and the hazards associated with mooring line recoil were not mitigated
- radio congestion may have reduced the crew’s ability to safely conduct the operation
Recommendations
- The port company, Puerto Ventanas S.A, is recommended (2024/167) to review and update the information made available to masters and pilots before a port call, including instructions that engines are not to be used to conduct manoeuvres while moored alongside and guidance on the risks associated with line entrapment on shore fixtures and fittings, such as fenders.
- The Quintero Port Authority is recommended (2024/168) to ensure that the master/pilot exchanges conducted by its pilots consider the risks associated with mooring line entrapment and recoil and vessels manoeuvring alongside using their engines.
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Source: UK MAIB
