Where wire rope is joined to fibre o the unintended or premature discharge of any article or any

rope,a thimble or other device should be inserted in the eye of gas,dust,liquid,vapour or

the fibre rope.Both wire and other substance that is produced,used or stored in the work
fibre rope should have the same direction of lay. equipment;
•Personnel should not,in any circumstances,stand in a bight of o the unintended explosion of the work equipment or any
rope or wire.Operation of article or substance produced,
winches should be undertaken by competent seafarers to used or stored in it;and
ensure that excessive loads do not o work equipment being struck by lightning while being used.
arise on moorings. •Hand tools
•When moorings lines are under strain,all personnel in the o Wire brushes-a tool consisting of a brush whose bristles are
vicinity should remain in positions of made of wire,most often
safety,i.e.avoid the snap-back zones.It is strongly steel wire used for for removing rust,paint dirt and other
recommended that a bird’s eye view of the debris from a
mooring deck arrangement is produced to identify danger variety of surfaces.
areas.Regardless of designated snap- o Scrapers-a tool or device used for scraping or removing
back zones,seafarers should always be aware of other areas of unwanted matter from a
potential danger–the whole surface such as dirt,paint,or ice.
mooring deck may be considered a danger zone. o Chipping hammers-A hand hammer with chisel-shaped or
•When stoppering off moorings,the following applies: pointed faces used to remove
o Natural fibre rope should be stoppered with natural fibre. rust and scale from a metal surface.
o Man-made fibre rope should be stoppered with man-made •Power tools
fibre stopper(but not o Portable grinder-can be used with a grinding wheel and a
polyamide). variety of rotary brushes,
o The‘West Country’method(double and reverse stoppering)is enabling different rust conditions to be dealt with by the same
preferable for ropes. tool.
o Wire moorings should be stoppered with chain,using two o Power chisels
half-hitches in the form of a o Power Hammers
cow hitch,suitably spaced with the tail backed up against the o Needle Guns-will not dent the metal and can work in small
lay of wire,to ensure that areas that tend to be missed
the chain neither jams nor opens up the lay of the wire. by larger tools.
•Damaged or worn tools should not be used,and cutting edges o Deck hammers and flails-for large deck spaces,deck
should be kept sharp and clean. hammers or flail tools are very
Repair and dressing of tools should be carried out by a quick and effective way to clear badly deteriorated decks of
competent person. scale and old coatings.
•Wherever practicable,a tool in use should be directed away •Corrosion-is the chemical or electrochemical reaction
from the body,so that if it slips it between a material,usually a metal and
does not cause injury.However,when using a spanner more its environment that produces a deterioration of material and
control is gained by pulling towards its properties,usually an oxide is
the body.When using a tool with a cutting edge,both hands formed.
should be kept behind the blade. •Rust-is a visible corrosion product consisting of hydrated
•A chisel is best held between thumb and base of index finger oxides of iron and is formed on steel
with thumb and fingers straight, surfaces exposed to moist atmospheric conditions.
with palm of hand facing towards the hammer blow. •Ship corrosion-ships are built of steel,which in a marine
•A saw should not be forced through the material being cut:it environment exposed to water(both
should be pushed with a light, fresh and sea)and air is prone to the formation of
even movement. rust.Contributing factors that accelerate the
•A risk assessment should be carried out and safety measures rate of corrosion
put in place for the safe operation include:(https://bulkcarrierguide.com/structural-problems.html)
of the equipment and all expected circumstances.In o Cargo damage-this occurs when heavy bulk cargo is allowed
conducting a risk assessment,the risks to freefall from height onto
listed below should be considered as appropriate to the the tank tops.The heavy impact of this cargo on the tank top
equipment and to protect those who causes damage and
may be at risk whilst using work equipment. breakdown of the coatings on the ceiling of the double bottom
•Specific risks and hazards that should be considered include: tank underneath.
o mechanical risks such as o Corrosive cargoes-a number of bulk cargoes contain
crushing,impact,trapping,entanglement,cutting or friction; chemicals of a corrosive nature and
o non-mechanical risks such as noise,vibration,electrical this is particularly the case in newly mined coal.It is essential
hazards,temperature and that the data sheet is
radiation; inspected prior to loading the cargo.For example,in the case of
o any article or substance falling or being ejected from work a high sulphur contact
equipment; coal cargo,severe pitting can result.To counter this,the hold
o rupture or disintegration of parts of work equipment; floor can be coated in
o work equipment overheating or catching fire; lime,but this does not protect the bilges or bilge lines.
 o Equipment damage-grab damage to the hold floor,frames of engine wear such as the metal fines,combustion(soot)and
and ladders can occur at oil degradation products.
most discharge ports.This not only causes material damage to •Hydraulic fluids-The primary purpose of hydraulic fluid is to
the ship's structure,but convey power.Fluids used include
can also break down the paint coatings exposing the base steel mineral oil,water and synthetic compounds,with the most
to the atmosphere.The efficient fluids being those that have
deliberate hammering of the floor and sides of the hold by a low compressibility.
grabs and bulldozers to free •Grease-Grease consists of a lubricant and a carrier,or base.As
cargo residues trapped between the frames will result in grease contains a base oil,it can
structural damage and the oxidise.In grease,which does not conduct heat easily,this
breakdown of the paint coatings oxidisation spreads slowly from a hot
o Seawater corrosion-in the majority of cases,this will take point causing carbonisation and crust formation.As oxidisation
place in the ballast tanks. increases,the grease darkens
Many companies now place sacrificial anodes in the ballast and this has a destructive effect,causing softening and leakage.
tanks,which considerably •Lubrication helps:
reduce the corrosive effect of air and saltwater. o Improve corrosion protection
•Corrosion prevention(PNTC SEA 102B(14)) o Maximize equipment performance
o Discharges or scuppers must be designed not result dripping o Minimize wear and damage to equipment’s moving parts
water. o Extend operating temperature of the equipment
o Proper ventilation should be arranged for underside of o Increase energy efficiency
enclosed structure to avoid •Steel wire ropes are lubricated both internally and externally
condensation of moisture. in the course of manufacture,to
o Steel decks which covered by wood,can be corroded unless it provide the wire with protection against corrosion.During its
is suitably protected and working life the rope will suffer
the wood is scaled by bitumen coating. pressure both externally and internally as it is flexed in
o All joints must be sealed by suitable filler and any bolt performing its duty.The original lubricant
through the woods should have may soon dry up and it will be necessary to apply
proper washers under nut. supplementary lubricant at periodic intervals.
o Surface of metals to be covered by adequate thickness of •All wires should be governed by a planned maintenance
paint. system to ensure that they are coated
o Welding can be used to fill small cracks. with lubricant at suitable intervals throughout their working
o Welded surface to be suitably prepared for painting. life.Internal lubrication will occur if
o Proper paint to be applied in places where the machinery the wire has a natural fibre heart,for when the wire comes
sets must be fitted. under tension,the heart will expel
o Where the aluminum superstructure is in contact with steel its lubricant into the wires,so causing the desired internal
deck transition plate shall lubrication.
be used. •Many substances and mixtures found on ships are capable of
o Two different metals in contact in the presence of an damaging the health and safety of
electrolyte can result corrosion those exposed to them.They include not only substances
cell.Proper insulation must be made. displaying hazard-warning labels
o The atmosphere of E/R is in contact with the (particularly those declared as dangerous goods in
heat,moisture,vibration which can result ships’stores)but also,for example,a range
corrosion.The surfaces should be kept water free by good of dusts,including hardwood dusts,fumes and fungal spores
drainage design,insulation of from goods,plant or activities
steam pipes and proper ventilation to avoid condensation. aboard ship.
o Sharp bend to be avoided in piping system.(to avoid erosion) •A chemical from an unlabelled package or receptacle should
•Lubricants are substances used to reduce friction between never be used unless its identity
moving surfaces to improve has been positively established.In addition to transport
efficiency,reduce wear and to protect the coated subject from labelling,packaged substances supplied
environmental corrosion.They in Europe may also display similar or additional labelling for
can also be used for distributing heat and dissolving foreign supply and use for compliance with
particles. the European regulation on classification,labelling and
•Typically,lubricants contain 90%base oil(most often packaging of substances and mixtures
petroleum fractions,called mineral oils) •Employers should ensure workers are instructed to
and less than 10%additives.Vegetable oils or synthetic liquids familiarise themselves with the
such as esters,silicone, accompanying data sheet for any chemical agents they may
fluorocarbons and many others are sometimes used as base use in the course of their work.
oils.Additives reduce friction and They should also be aware of the potentially hazardous
wear and increase viscosity and resistance to corrosion and gaseous by-products that may be
oxidation. produced from the reaction of a cleaner/de-scaling product
•Engine oils-The primary roles of engine oil are to reduce and the object itself,or products
friction and prevent corrosion.The used together,because this may result in an
secondary role is to dissipate heat and to hold in suspension asphyxiating,explosive or other hazardous
the micrometre-sized by-products atmosphere.
 •Chemicals should always be handled with the utmost
care.Industrial formulations may be
stronger.Eyes and skin should be protected from accidental
exposure or contact.
•Chemicals should not be mixed unless it is known that no
dangerous reaction will be caused.
• Lifting equipment- work equipment used for lifting or lowering • When anchoring, mooring or towing operations are taking
loads and includes the place, all seafarers should be adequately briefed on the
attachments used for anchoring, fixing or supporting it. mooring configurations and correctly dressed in appropriate
• Loose gear- means any gear by means of which a load can be personal protective equipment.
attached to lifting equipment but which does not form an integral • Before using an anchor, a competent seafarer must check
part of either the lifting equipment or load. that the brake is securely on and then clear all securing
• A valid certificate of testing and thorough examination by a devices. A responsible person must be put in charge of the
competent person should be in force for every item of lifting anchoring party, with a suitable means of communication
equipment, accessory for lifting and loose gear. with the vessel’s bridge. The anchoring party should
• All items should be tested, and then thoroughly examined and wear protective clothing, including safety helmet, safety
certificated for use, shoes, gloves and goggles, to protect from injury by rust
o after manufacture or installation; or particles and debris that may be thrown off the cable during
o after any repair or modification that is likely to alter the safe the operation. Where the noise levels generated may be
working load (SWL) or harmful, hearing protection may be considered; however, the
affect the strength or stability of the equipment. time exposure and the greater risk from impaired
o A certificate for a ship’s lifting equipment is valid for no more than communication should be taken into account. During
five years. anchoring, the anchoring party should stand aft of, or at a safe
• Any welding of material should be to an approved, acceptable distance from, the windlass/capstan and be mindful of the
standard because any fitting is only as strong as the weld that potential risk of snap-back.
connects it to the vessel’s structure. In order to ensure that all parts • Anchors that are housed and not required should be
of lifting equipment and related equipment are kept in good repair properly secured to prevent accidental release.
and working order, regular preventative maintenance should be • During mooring and unmooring operations, a sufficient
carried out. Maintenance should include regular examinations by a number of seafarers should always be available both forward
competent person. Such examinations should be carried out as and aft of the vessel to ensure a safe operation. A responsible
required by the Regulations but in any event at least once annually. person should be in charge of each of the mooring parties,
Checks should look for general material defects such as cracks, and a suitable means of communication between the
distortion, corrosion and wear and tear that could affect SWL and responsible persons and the vessel’s bridge team must be
overall strength. established. If this involves the use of portable radios, then
• Any defect found in any lifting equipment, including that provided the ship should be clearly identified by name to prevent
by a shore authority, should be reported immediately to the master confusion with other users. All seafarers involved in such
or to another responsible person who should take appropriate operations must wear protective clothing, including safety
action. helmet, safety shoes and gloves, and be fully briefed on the
• Every lifting operation must be: berthing plan.
o subject to risk assessment; • Owing to the design of mooring decks, the entire area
o properly planned; should be considered a potential snap-back zone. All crew
o appropriately supervised; and working on a mooring deck should be made aware of this with
o carried out in a safe manner. clear visible signage.
• No person should be lifted except where the equipment is • The painting of snap-back zones on mooring decks should be
designed or specially adapted and avoided because they may give a false sense of security.
equipped for that purpose, or for rescue or in emergencies. • Equipment used in mooring operations should be regularly
• The person operating any lifting equipment should have no other inspected for defects. Defects found should be corrected.
duties that might interfere with their primary task. They should be in Particular attention should be paid to oil leaks from winches.
a proper and protected position, facing the controls and, so far as is The surfaces of fairleads, bollards, bitts and drum ends should
practicable, with a clear view of the whole operation. be clean and in good condition, and drum ends should not be
• Every signaller should be in a position that is: painted. Rollers and fairleads should turn smoothly and a
o safe; and visual check be made that corrosion has not weakened them.
o in plain view of the person to whom they are signalling unless an Pedestal roller fairleads, lead bollards, mooring bitts, etc.
effective system of should be:
radio or other contact is in use. o properly designed for the task;
• A person chosen to act as a competent person must be over 18 o able to meet all foreseeable operational loads and
years old and have such practical and theoretical knowledge and conditions;
actual experience of the type of lift that they have to examine as o correctly sited; and
will enable them to detect defects or weaknesses and to assess their o fixed to a part of the ship’s structure that is suitably
importance in relation to the safety of the lift. Specialist lift strengthened.
maintenance courses are available and recommended. • Mooring ropes, wires and stoppers are to be in good
• All seafarers involved in anchoring, mooring and towing operations condition. Ropes should be inspected frequently for both
should be given additional instruction on the specific equipment and external wear and wear between strands. Wires should be
mooring configurations used on the vessel. This should include (but regularly treated with suitable lubricants and inspected for
may not be limited to): deterioration internally and broken strands externally.
o the types of winches and windlass and their operation; Lubricants should be thoroughly applied so as to prevent
o the location of emergency stop buttons; internal corrosion as well as corrosion on the outside, and
o the types of ropes and/or wires used; and wires should never be allowed to dry out. Splices in both
o the location and use of rollers, dollies and leads. ropes and wires should be inspected regularly to check that
they are intact.
• Personnel should not, in any circumstances, stand in a bight