The Club would like to bring to Members’ attention the dangers of tensioned mooring lines and also highlight the concept of ‘snap-back’ zones.
A snap-back is the sudden recoil of a mooring line as a result of its failure under tension. A snap-back zone on a mooring deck is the space where it is anticipated that the failed mooring line could recoil with great velocity, possibly resulting in injury or even death to crew present within this zone.
Guidance and a review of the hazards associated with snap-backs are featured in industry publications such as the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers (COSWP).
Until recently, this guidance recommended the marking of snap-back zones on the mooring deck around the critical points such as the warping drum, roller fairleads and pedestal rollers. The aim of these markings was to warn the seafarers to avoid standing in these zones when mooring lines were under tension.
However, recent studies have shown that the nature of snap-backs is more complex than initially perceived. This is due to various factors such as:
• Mooring configurations
• The nature of the mooring line used with regard to elasticity
• Breaking strength which may influence the trajectory of a parted mooring line
Hence the marking of snap-back zones on the deck, although convenient and simple, does not reflect the actual complex snap-back zone and may lead the seafarer into a false sense of security that they are safe as long as they aren’t standing in the highlighted area.
The latest version of the COSWP dissuades the marking of snap-back zones on the deck.
It recommends that the entire mooring deck should be considered as a potential snap-back zone and clear visible signage must be displayed to warn crew. It is also recommended that a bird’s eye view of the mooring deck is produced to identify potentially dangerous areas. The diagram below is an extract from the COSWP and gives an example of how the snap-back zone may be depicted on a mooring plan.
Image: The diagram shows the potential areas of danger (snap-back zone) when the spring line parts at the spring line fairlead. The snap-back zone would be increased if both pedestal fairleads were used. (Swedish Accident Investigation Authority Report S-95/11 Morraborg)
Members should ensure that appropriate risk assessments are conducted on board their vessels to ensure potential snap-back zones are identified and the crew are made aware of these. This should include, but not be limited to, highlighting the safety procedures to be followed and the required condition of the mooring lines and associated equipment such as stoppers.
It is also recommended that appropriate cautionary signage is displayed close to the mooring deck entrance highlighting the potential danger ahead. Members may refer to the below images providing examples of signage used to warn personnel of snap back zones.
