[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Shipowners P&I Club has issued a guidance on “snap-back” zones in order to bring to operators’ attention the dangers of tensioned mooring lines and also highlight the concept of these zones.
A snap-back is the sudden recoil of a mooring line as a result of its failure under tension. A snap-back zone on a mooring deck is the space where it is anticipated that the failed mooring line could recoil with great velocity, possibly resulting in injury or even death to crew present within this zone.
Recent studies have shown that the nature of snap-backs is more complex than initially perceived.
This is due to various factors such as:
1. Mooring configurations
2. The nature of the mooring line used with regard to elasticity
3. Breaking strength which may influence the trajectory of a parted mooring line.
Hence the marking of snap-back zones on the deck, although convenient and simple, does not reflect the actual complex snap-back zone and may lead the seafarer into a false sense of security that they are safe as long as they aren’t standing in the highlighted area.
The latest version of the COSWP (2015 edition) has revised its guidance on snap-back zones and now dissuades the marking of snap-back zones on the deck. It recommends that the entire mooring deck should be considered as a potential snap-back zone and clear visible signage must be displayed to warn the crew. It is also recommended that a bird’s eye view of the mooring deck is produced to identify potentially dangerous areas.
It is also recommended to the operators that appropriate cautionary signage is displayed close to the mooring deck entrance highlighting the potential danger ahead.
The Nautical Institute has recently published a case study in its Mariners’ Alerting and Reporting Scheme (MARS) regarding an incident which occurred during mooring stations and is related to snap-back zones.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
