As the able seaman (AB) on the forward mooring deck prepared to release the last of the mooring ropes, he noticed that the heaving line had become entangled with the middle section of the mooring rope, and the loose end had been tied off on the handrail. Recognizing the potential hazard, the AB released the heaving line and the mooring rope, carefully paying them out together until the linesman ashore had enough slack to release the mooring rope. Once the linesman let go of the mooring rope, the AB began manually heaving the mooring rope and heaving line back onboard, reports MAIB.
About the incident
During a routine operation, a domestic roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) passenger ferry was preparing to shift from the lay-by berth to the linkspan early in the morning. While handling the forward mooring ropes, an able seaman (AB) noticed that the heaving line was tangled with the middle section of the mooring rope, with the loose end tied to the handrail. The AB attempted to release the heaving line and the mooring rope, paying them out until the linesman ashore had enough slack to release the mooring rope. As the mooring rope was released, the heaving line, weighted with a sandbag, was pulled into the forward propulsion unit.
The mooring rope, still entangled with the heaving line, was ripped from the AB’s hands and began to pay out rapidly from the pallet where it was stored. The AB attempted to jump to a safe area, but the mooring rope whipped around some bitts and through the fairlead, catching the AB’s lower leg before disappearing into the water. Despite severe pain, the AB managed to radio the bridge to stop the propulsion unit, but he collapsed shortly afterward due to his injuries. The AB suffered severe bruising and abrasions to his leg, but the situation could have been much worse.
Lessons Learned
- Risk Awareness: The design of the mooring deck left limited space, increasing the risk of being caught by a runaway rope or snapback, which could lead to severe injuries. It’s important for crew members to always consider where they could move to in case of such an emergency while on the mooring deck.
- Effective Communication: The heaving line had become twisted around the mooring rope the previous evening while tying up the vessel. The night team intended to inform the day team during their handover but failed to do so. This lack of communication meant that the day team was unaware of the twisted rope and did not allocate the necessary resources or time to clear it before commencing operations. Clear communication during handovers is crucial to ensure safety and prevent accidents.
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Source: MAIB
