INVESTIGATION

CASE 5
he set the pitch of the port azimuth to zero
and adjusted the starboard azimuth to keep
the vessel alongside, as well as counteracting
the tidal stream.
Meanwhile, the AB from the inboard bitts
moved to the port side to assist. Even so,
the two ABs were unable to hold on to the
stern lines, which were pulled out of their
hands. At the same time, one of the ABs
inadvertently stepped into a bite in one of the
lines that quickly tightened around his foot
and then carried him toward a fairlead as the
line ran overboard. The second AB saw what
was happening so grabbed the other AB and
managed to push his boot off just before it
became fast in the fairlead. Fortunately, injury
was limited to a bruised foot, and the vessel
was re-secured alongside without further
incident.
The Lessons
1. Letting go all lines when doubled up is
asking for trouble. It is best practice to
single-up before casting off unless there
are sound reasons to do otherwise. It
is also useful to take into account the
practicalities of letting go when securing
lines on arrival and to include the intended
procedure and method for letting go
during departure briefs and tool-box talks.
3. In an emergency situation quick thinking
is key, but taking a few moments to weigh
up the pros and cons of alternative courses
of action is just as vital. In this case, just a
couple of seconds of thinking time was all
that was required for the master to realise
that stopping the thrusters would have led
to his vessel being set upriver without any
means of control.
2. People are not mind-readers and cannot
predict the actions of others. Do not
assume that others will do as expected
and don’t slacken two lines if only one is
intended to be let go.
12
MAIB Safety Digest 1/2017