MAIB: Parted mooring rope leads to fatality

Description of Incident

A deck officer was killed during mooring operations when a mooring rope parted and struck him on the head. The incident happened alongside on an ultra large container vessel. Cargo operations had been suspended due to very strong winds of over 50kts and the Master had taken the precaution of posting a crew member at the vessel’s forward and aft mooring stations to monitor and adjust its lines. A deck officer was making an inspection of the safety and security of the vessel, and on reaching the forecastle, went forward of the mooring winches to inspect the lines. While the officer was in this exposed position, standing close to a mooring line, a strong gust of wind hit the vessel and the rope parted close to the bollard ashore. On board, a bight of the mooring line flew up as the tension was released, striking the deck officer’s head. The ship’s crew quickly raised the alarm and paramedics attended the vessel. The injured deck officer was taken to hospital, but died a few days later.

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