Picked up Pickup

 

A pickup truck was recently dragged into a harbor by a mooring line that was being hauled in by a ship’s mooring winch. The shore-side line handler that was using the truck to assist with the evolution narrowly escaped injury and possible death by quickly jumping out of the truck before it was dragged off the terminal.

 

In this case, the ship was preparing to depart the port and the mooring line messenger was secured to the truck’s tow hitch – a common shore gang line handling practice employed to assist working with heavy mooring lines, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. But when the line was thrown off the bollard, the ship began to haul it in with the messenger still attached to the truck.

 

The Coast Guard said line handlers use unconventional line handing practices including assistance of powered machinery such as trucks, forklifts and golf carts to help handle the extreme weights of the mooring lines as well as a lack of adequate personnel to safely accomplish this task.

 

Although the Coast Guard said it is unaware how often this type of incident has occurred worldwide, it has confirmed a similar event took place years ago, which resulted in a fatality.

 

Consequently, the Coast Guard issued a reminder to port authorities, marine terminal operators, line handlers, longshoreman and others associated with such activities to consider developing policies and procedures that address this potential hazard and minimize associated risks; evaluating the need for utilizing quick release devices or other weak link arrangements; and ensuring line handlers have the ability to communicate with vessels during berthing or un-berthing procedures.

 

It is also recommended that vessel operators and deck officers’ use caution and remain vigilant of all components when hauling in, ensuring that lines and cables are clear and free of attachments. Special attention should be given to the mooring lines as they are coming off the dock and being hauled aboard.