Purpose

To outline procedures required prior mooring operations.

The word ‘mooring’ in this chapter includes mooring and unmooring operations, including
handling barges and floating cargo on heavy lift vessels, unless specifically stated otherwise.

14.1.1 Risk Assessment

Mooring operations are a high-risk activity.
Conduct a risk assessment covering all aspects of mooring operations.
Consider the mooring hazards involved in ship-to-ship (STS) operations, conventional buoy
mooring (CBM), single point or buoy mooring systems (SBM) and tandem moorings.
Note 1
The risk assessment must include the hazards imposed due to the layout of the mooring areas and its
associated fittings.

14.1.2 Personnel Familiarisation and Training

Master must ensure mooring stations are adequately manned.
Chief Officer must appoint mooring personnel and ensure they are experienced and rested
prior operations.
On Tankers / Gas Carriers, all personnel involved in mooring operation to familiarise and
understand the ‘Mooring System Management Plan (MSMP)’ and Line Management Plan
(LMP).
Minimum Manning requirements for mooring stations:
Operation Manpower requirement
Mooring to a
Forward and aft: 1 officer, 3 seaman, one of whom must
conventional berth /
be an AB.
terminal
Forward: 1 Officer, 3 Seaman.
Aft: 1 Officer, 2 Seaman.
Mooring to a SBM When moored, post 1 seaman forward at all times with
portable radio for monitoring the position of SBM.
Periodically 1 Seaman to monitor the aft pullback tug-line
connection to vessel.
Forward: 1 Officer, 2 Seaman.
Mooring to a CBM
Aft: 1 Officer, 3 Seaman.
Tending of lines at berth 2 Seaman for operation and tending of lines.
Escort tug in canals 1 Seaman with portable radio, in attendance within the
during transit vicinity of tug fast location.

Cadets and trainees will attend the mooring stations only after being well familiarised with
mooring operations. They will work under direct supervision of the officer in charge.
Delegate the task of winch operator to an experienced staff, familiar with the operations.
Prior attending a mooring operation, members of the mooring team to be familiarised and
trained in:
 Hazards involved in mooring operations
 Operation of winches and windlass, use of tension drums, type of brake mechanism
and ‘Brake Rendering Capacity’ (BRC)
  Location of emergency stop buttons
 Number and types of ropes, their size and length
 Lay out of the mooring equipment like winches, warping drum, bitts, bollard, and fair
leads.
 Leads of the mooring lines as per vessel’s mooring arrangement plan.

Caution
Master may call the engine or catering crew to assist in mooring operations. Prior attending mooring
stations, familiarise the additional crew with their duties and hazards of mooring operations.

14.1.3 Checking of Mooring Areas and Equipment

Chief Officer must ensure:
 Mooring ropes and wires are certified and fit for use. For inspection procedures of
ropes refer to the NMM chapter on ‘Mooring Ropes - Care and Maintenance’
 Availability of heaving lines, messenger lines, appropriate stoppers, rat guards and
spare ropes for tugs
 Mooring winches tested
 Fittings in working condition
 In cold weather conditions, warm up hydraulic winches by running in advance
 Mooring lines laid out correctly
 Signage regarding hazard of mooring area in place
 Mooring chain stoppers for SPM / Tandem operations ready to use
 Drain plugs for save-alls in place

14.1.4 Mooring Plan and Briefing of Bridge Team

Master must request for the mooring requirements well in advance.
Discuss the mooring requirements with the Pilot during the Master-Pilot exchange. If any
concerns, immediately report to office.
Prior mooring, Master to brief the bridge team and persons in charge of the station as below:
 The side the vessel will go alongside
 Number, position and method of making fast the tugs
 Forward and aft clearance from the vessel
 Mooring pattern, planned leads and sequence / method of sending the lines
 Safe access to vessel – ship or shore gangway
 Crew familiarity and past experiences
Mooring team must not change the planned mooring configuration without Master’s approval.
Note 2
Plan mooring leads as per vessel’s mooring arrangement plan. Keep a laminated copy of this mooring
arrangement plan on the bridge and mooring stations. Advice duty officer that to lay out ropes in
accordance with mooring plan.

Note 3
Familiarise with local mooring requirement (for example - Panama Canal) and prepare accordingly.

14.1.5 Toolbox Meeting

 Each officer in charge will hold toolbox meeting at the site and discuss the following:
 Delegation of tasks
 Making fast of tugs
 Mooring pattern and order of sending the lines
 Hazards and safety precautions, including snap-backs
 Best protected location for crew to stand

Forms and checklists: References:

CL Mooring Equipment Guidelines by OCIMF (Tankers/Gas Carriers)
RA COSWP – Mooring Chapter
WI
FORM
: