Marine Occurrence report 232 - Australian Transport Safety Bureau

4 SAFETY ACTIONS
4.1 Safety action by the Port Hedland Port Authority
In response to this incident, the Port Hedland Port Authority issued a local marine
notice that included 12 :
Ships mooring lines are to be properly tended 24 hours per day whilst a vessel is moored
alongside. Mooring lines are to be kept tight and the ship kept firmly alongside and
parallel to the fender line.
Mooring line arrangements are to be appropriate for the size of vessel.
During Spring tide cycles where it is not possible for a single person to adjust all of the
ships lines in a 15 minute period then two or more competent persons will be required to
tend the mooring lines. Particular attention must be paid to ensure that self tensioning
winches and mooring line drum brakes are properly set to hold the vessel alongside and
to prevent it ranging along the wharf under the influence of the tide or vessel interaction
forces.
4.2 ATSB recommendations
MR20080007
The Port Hedland Port Authority did not identify the possibility of a ship breaking
away from its berth and adequately assess or address the associated risks in the port
emergency plan.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that the Port Hedland Port
Authority takes action to address this safety issue.
MR20080008
Creciente’s classification society, Lloyd’s Register, did not have rules or guidelines
in place to ensure that the mooring winch brakes were adequately inspected and
maintained, allowing the condition of the brakes to deteriorate and slip at below
their designed holding capacity.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that Lloyd’s Register takes
action to address this safety issue.
12 MN 05/06, ‘Mooring Lines Port Hedland - Harbour Masters Direction’.
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