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 Claims Emergency

London Branch

+44 203 829 5858

Singapore Branch

+65 8683 3190

The claims response service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and provides immediate global assistance to all of our Members.

Calling the emergency contact number provides a quick and effective way to speak directly to a duty Shipowners’ claims handler in the event of an incident or casualty involving an entered vessel.

During office hours the emergency number will redirect to the relevant corresponding office switchboard.

Alternatively, Members can request assistance from our network of correspondents located around the world.

Correspondents

Emergency Contact

15 Oct 2025

Download the Case Study

The Incident

A tug towing a barge (Barge A) was proceeding to a river port when the Master was notified that a berth was not available due to the delayed departure of another vessel. The Master was instructed to ‘double-bank’ the barge to another barge (Barge B), which was already moored to a buoy in the river and await an available berth. Weather conditions were good, with a gentle breeze and calm sea conditions. Visibility was good and the tow was taking place during daylight hours.

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The tug approached the moored Barge B and transferred two crew members from the tug to the moored barge while the towed Barge A was brought into position. The tug Master then proceeded to bring Barge A alongside Barge B, at which point one of the crew members transferred from Barge B over to Barge A to assist with the mooring.

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The tug then continued to bring the two barges alongside each other, bow-to-bow, to make them fast. The crew member that remained on Barge B was securing a spring line and had one turn around the bitts. As they went to pull more rope over, there was the realisation that they were standing in the bight of the rope. Unfortunately, at this point Barge A moved forward resulting in weight coming onto the spring line. It was too late for the crew member to react, which resulted in their leg being pulled into the bitts.

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Alerted by the screams of the injured crew member, the tug’s Master manoeuvred the vessel to slacken the tension on the mooring rope. The second crew member made their way back across from Barge A to Barge B and freed the injured crew from the bitts.

After being treated on site, the crew member was airlifted to a hospital and following knee surgery and physiotherapy, was able to return to work four months after the accident.

SEAFARER CAUGHT IN A BIGHT DURING ‘DOUBLE-BANKING’ OPERATION - shutterstock_2652394537_edited.jpg

Figure 1: Barges in a similar double-banking arrangement

Observations

  • The crew members were wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment for working on deck at the time of the accident.
  • Both the crew members were experienced and appropriately trained for the role they were carrying out.
  • Mooring decks on both barges were appropriately marked as snap back areas.
  • A daily toolbox talk had been carried out earlier in the day to discuss the day’s original plan of work. However, delay in the departure of another vessel caused a change in plan.
  • There was no evidence that a toolbox talk or a job specific briefing had been conducted before the amended operation which required the two crew members to handle lines and work on both barges.

Recommendations

  • A safe system of work should always be developed for self-mooring/rafting/banking operations, which should incorporate risk assessments and method statements. This should consider the various locations that this may be required and the additional risks that may be encountered. For example:
    • Unmanned quayside
    • Working at height
    • Restricted working space
    • Environmental conditions
  • A new toolbox talk/on-the-job briefing should follow any change in plans to ensure that the crew understand the new operation, together with any associated risks.
  • Ensure that the operation being undertaken is suitable for the number of available crew members.
  • Regular drills and trainings to deal with contingencies (including providing medical first-aid) should be carried out and incorporated into a vessel’s procedures. Such drills and trainings should consider real life scenarios to ensure an effective emergency response.
    • It is important that crew remain vigilant during mooring related operations and pay attention to aspects such as snap back areas and bights of a rope, whilst maintaining clear lines of communication. 

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