CHIRP annual digest 2016 flip

CHIRP Maritime
■ The gases should be identified by signage with a
‘Danger – No Smoking’ notice.
■ If in doubt refer to COSWP Chapter 24.8.
We have since received a report whereby a ship was taking
on board an acetylene cylinder. The cylinder arrived on a
one sided protected pallet, not suitable for lifting. Since
the vessel’s cylinder cage was located in the forward part
of the vessel, the supervising officer decided to use an
onboard fabricated lifting tool consisting of a U-clamp
welded to a cylinder cap and then lifted it on board!
Fortunately there was no incident in this case but
accidents involving gas cylinders can cause serious injury
or even death.
CHIRP Suggests
The approved method for moving single oxy-acetylene
cylinders is by a dedicated trolley. The use of a homemade
tool to lift gas cylinders is not in compliance with the
COSWP, nor does it indicate the existence of a robust
safety culture on board. This activity should have been
stopped.
The above article was published in MFB45
Article. 20
Weighted Monkey Fist on Heaving Line
When undertaking annual competency assessments in a New
Zealand port I witnessed a heaving line being thrown from
the raised forecastle of a bulker in ballast onto the foredeck
of an ASD tug. It landed right beside the seaman on the tug.
Without a moment’s hesitation the seaman whipped his
knife out and cut the monkey's fist off the heaving line,
then attached a new rubber heaving line weight to the
ship's line, tied the tug's towline messenger to it and sent
the whole lot back up to the ship.
After the towage was complete we cut the very heavy
monkey's fist open to find it had a large metal nut and
bolt in its interior. If this had hit a tug crew member on
the head it would have been lethal.
I was most impressed that the seaman was so proactive
towards safe operations but even more impressed that the
towage company had, at their own expense, manufactured
a safe alternative to gift to the ship's crew.
A large metal bolt & nut were hidden in the centre of the
monkey’s fist! The yellow rubber replacement heaving line
weight is designed not to injure tug crews & not to bounce
when hitting the deck.
By Capt Arie Nygh
CHIRP Ambassador
21