Lessons learned: Do not allow mooring lines to remain slack or close to the propeller

IMCA draws lessons learned from an incident where rope became entangled with the propellor during mooring operations of a tanker causing the operator to lose balance and fall onto the lower platform.

What happened?

During mooring operations of a tanker, a worker ashore was securing the after-spring line on a Quick Release Mooring Hook (QRMH) located on a dolphin platform on the jetty. While performing the task, some rope slack remained near the propeller. The rope became entangled with the propellor, creating over-tension as it was already secured to the QRMH. The dolphin platform bent towards the vessel’s aft under the propeller’s force until the line parted. It then snapped back in the opposite direction, causing the operator to lose balance and fall onto the lower platform about 1.8 meters below. Although fall protection was in place, the operator was kneeling and slipped through the gap. Fortunately, the incident resulted only in minor scratches and no serious injury.

What went wrong?

• Rope slack was left near the vessel’s propeller during mooring.
• Propeller movement created an unexpected load on the mooring line.
• The worker’s position (kneeling) reduced stability and escape reaction time.
• The fall protection barrier height (approximately 1.5 m) was insufficient to prevent a fall from kneeling position.
• Communication and coordination between pilot and mooring crew could have been more effective.

Actions taken

• Improve fall-protection design in this context, to cover kneeling positions.
• Reinforced awareness training on safe body positioning and balance during line handling.

Lessons learned

• Maintain clear communication between the vessel bridge, pilot, and mooring teams.
• Do not allow mooring lines to remain slack or close to the propeller.
• Use Stop Work Authority if there isn’t sufficient communication to understand what is going on.
• Keep out of the snap back zone when mooring ropes are under tension.
• source : safety4sea