Anchoring and mooring
The Chief Mate supervises the anchor party and the mooring stations, ensuring the operations are planned, briefed and carried out safely. Anchoring requires good holding ground, adequate scope (a working rule of several times the depth, more in poor holding or weather), and a check that the anchor is holding by transit or alarm. Mooring uses the right lines and springs for the berth and conditions, allowing for the range of tide, with the crew kept clear of the snap-back zones of lines under tension.
Safe mooring-station practice
- Brief the team on the plan, the lines to be used, and the sequence of operations.
- Keep everyone clear of the bights and the snap-back zones of lines and wires under tension.
- Use winches and bitts correctly, and never stand between a line and the fairlead.
- Communicate clearly with the bridge, and stop the operation if it becomes unsafe.
WARNING — Snap-back zones kill A mooring line or wire under load can part and whip back with lethal force. The Chief Mate keeps the crew out of the snap-back zones and the bights, and stops the operation the moment it is unsafe.
TIP — Plan and brief before the operation Anchoring and mooring go wrong when they are improvised. A short brief on the plan, the lines and the hazards, given before the operation, is what keeps the crew safe and the job efficient.