Collaborative action required to reduce mooring accidents

The need to moor ships has existed since man first took to the water. The evolution of type and size of ships and ports however means that the methods used and equipment available has required constant review and up-grading. Despite this effort sadly accidents are happening all too frequently. The high energy involved during berthing manoeuvres often result in these incidents causing an alarming number of serious injuries and fatalities being recorded each year,

In recent years the trend of vessels getting larger and the effects of climatic change are leading to an increase in a more challenging berthing environment. These circumstances further emphasise the need for consistent and effective communication between all parties. Collaboration is crucial both in planning appropriate operational processes and enforcing best practices tailored to individual port conditions.

Clearly, at the quayside, successful and safe mooring also requires a high degree of communication between the ship and landside operatives. There needs to be a mutual understanding of the individual roles, working procedures and equipment used by both the ship and landside operations. Therefore, it is important to harbour communication between all of those involved, to collaborate on learning, training and in sharing an understanding of improved techniques, and to support innovation.

There have been some fantastic steps made to improve mooring equipment in particular bollards, lines and shipside equipment. Likewise, advancement has been made in techniques to manage the equipment more effectively. Software developments create a better understand of the forces at play during mooring in real time. All these initiatives provide aids and tools to increase safety but the need for continual improvement remains evident.

TT will continue to support and promote such improvement and innovation through encouraging and enabling collaboration between ports, shipside, landside operators, technical innovators and insurers. We were delighted by the engagement of a diverse range of stakeholders to address safety issues during the Safe Mooring Seminar. This not only underlined the benefits of such events but also the willingness of those taking part to strive for improved safety standards.