PHILIPPINE MARITIME INSTITUTE

College of Maritime Education

Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements of the Course

PORT MANAGEMENT
AND
LOGISTICS
Under the Program

Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation

Safety First: Regulations and Best Practices for

Secure Cargo Stowage

GROUP 4

Mejillano, Arjay B.
Miole, Mark Steven
Obiso, Roann Angelo
Pizon, Vince Ryan
Perez, Rovic

INSTRUCTOR:
2/O Reynaldo Tan
 MOORING OPERATION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Master (Captain):
Holds ultimate command and bears full responsibility for the vessel, its crew, cargo
(if applicable), and the entire mooring operation.
Makes critical decisions regarding approach maneuvers, mooring plan execution,
and potential communication with shore personnel (pilot, tugboats).
Provides clear and concise commands to the deck crew regarding speed, direction
changes, and line handling activities.

Chief Mate (First Officer):

Acts as the captain’s direct representative on deck, overseeing the entire mooring
operation.
Serves as a vital communication link, relaying instructions from the captain to the
deck crew and conveying any feedback or concerns back to the bridge.
Ensures adherence to the pre-determined mooring plan and guarantees the proper
execution of established procedures.

Deck Officers (Second/Third Mates): (Their roles may vary depending on specific
vessel size and established practices)
Second Mate: Oversees line handling and winch operations at the vessel’s stern
from a vantage point on the bridge or aft deck.

Third Mate: Oversees line handling and winch operations at the vessel’s forward
from the bridge or forward deck. They might also manage communication with
tugboats or mooring personnel on the dock.
Modern Practices: On some vessels, the second or third mate might assist the
captain on the bridge, particularly during complex mooring maneuvers requiring
additional navigational expertise.
Deck Crew
Bosun (Boatswain):
Provides leadership for the deck crew throughout the mooring operation.
Oversees pre-mooring equipment checks, ensuring mooring lines, winches, and
fenders are in proper working order and ready for deployment.
Directs Able Seamen (Abs) on how to handle mooring lines, assigning specific
positions and ensuring adherence to established safety protocols.
May directly operate winches or supervise Abs to precisely position the ship during
mooring.

AB (Able Seaman):
Forms the backbone of the mooring crew, responsible for the physical handling of
mooring lines under the bosun’s direction.
AB1: Throws mooring lines (or utilizes throwing equipment) to secure them to shore
bollards.
AB2:Operates winches to take tension on mooring lines and control the ship’s
position as instructed.
AB3: Assists with the deployment of fenders between the ship and the dock to
prevent damage during mooring.

OS (Ordinary Seaman):
Assist the Bosun and AB's with various tasks like fender deployment, checking line
tension, and relaying messages.
BEFORE SHIP’S ARRIVAL
Prior to the arrival of a ship there will be location specific activities that need to take
place to ensure a safe and effective mooring operation takes place. These include
but are not limited to the following with local or asset specific information is included
in the annexes to this manual.
1. Mooring plans
2. Cargo plans
3. Berth allocations
4. Berth plans (e.g. where cranes will be position).

COMMENCEMENT OF MOORING OPERATION

Personnel should make themselves available promptly on the quayside as the vessel
berths and not wait until the last possible moment. This assists the crew in that it
indicates to them personnel are ready. At the same time the mooring personnel
should inspect the quay to ensure that the area is safe to work.
Contact should be established between the mooring supervisor/berthing master and
the ship’s master/pilot. Final mooring arrangement to be agreed.

HAZARDS DURING THE MOORING OPERATION

Beware of heaving lines being thrown or projected across the dock which may
include a weighted tail end consisting of a ‘monkey’s fist’ or other suitably weighted
object. A blow on an unprotected head with one of these can kill or seriously harm.
Even the small sand-filled canvas bags can be lethal if they have been soaked in
water.

WEAR YOUR SAFETY HELMET & STAY ALERT AT ALL TIMES

If the heaving line is thrown and the weighted end is deemed to be of a dangerous
weight it should be cut off and confiscated with a full report given to the marine
department who can take action against the vessel.
When receiving mooring ropes or heaving lines stand at least 1m back from the quay
edge.
As mooring ropes are heaved ashore ensure sufficient rope is heaved onto the quay
before dragging towards the bollard to reduce the amount of weight being hauled.
 MOORING TEAMS WOULD ONLY EVER ACCEPT ONE MOORING ROPE AT A
TIME. MOORING ROPES ARE HEAVY ESPECIALLY WHEN WET.

Be aware of worn ropes and report any defects straight away to the supervisor so
that the marine department can be later informed. A worn rope is more likely to part
when under load.
When accepting a mooring rope, beware of the vessel paying out additional mooring
rope too quickly which adds extra weight to the mooring rope already being heaved
ashore or could suddenly drag the mooring team unexpectedly towards the quay
edge.
1. Ensure that when hauling ropes ashore you are not walking into danger. BE
AWARE of what is around you.
2. If an excessive load comes onto the rope as it is being handled, LET IT GO,
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO HOLD IT BACK. Warn all team members immediately
of the need to let go the mooring rope in unison.
3. Should any line become sucked into thrusters or the ship’s propeller, tension
will come on very quickly and the line should be immediately dropped to
prevent any personnel being dragged into the water.
4. NEVER hold any rope by the crown of the eye when placing the eye on a
bollard or hook, always hold the rope by the side of the eye or the standing
part and throw the eye over the bollard or hook. Never let your hand or fingers
get between the rope and the bollard When the eye of the rope has been
placed on the bollard, tell the person or persons holding the weight to "let go".
Ensure messenger / tail and heaving lines are clear of working area near
bollard.
5. NEVER allow yourself or others to get trapped between a rope and a fixed
object.
6. NEVER stand in or allow others to stand in a loop or 'bight" of any rope.
MOORING ROPE IDENTIFICATION
The lines are defined as follows:
 Breast Lines: - Used to hold the vessel alongside the quay wall.
 Head and Stern Lines: - Used to hold the vessel alongside and control its
longitude position.
 Springs: - Usually the first lines sent ashore and the last ‘let go’. They prevent
the vessel ‘ranging’ (moving ahead and astern) along the quay wall.
Different types of ropes give different alarm signals.
1. Sisals, manilas or coir will creak and squeak.
2. Terylene, terylene-cotton, polypropylene or any of the man-made fibres will
creak.
3. Wire rope will "sing" or crack.
4. Nylon may make no noise at all, except for a very loud crack when it parts.

Beware of any such noises and keep away.

1. New materials are continually being introduced therefore care should be taken
when handling any ropes.
2. Ensure that all ropes are snug on bollards or hooks and that they do not
become foul of sharp edges, fenders or equipment on the quayside.
3. When using sunken bollards that are normally covered when not in use. Move
the cover plates to a safe position and place warning cones on plates to mark
them. This will usually be behind the rope so that the rope will not foul them
and also that others and yourself will not trip over them.
4. On completion of mooring ensure that heaving lines, messengers etc. are
returned to the ship and that all is secure.

Mooring vehicles to tow mooring ropes

1. The use of vehicles during mooring operations will ALWAYS be at the
discretion of the supervisor. Approval to use vehicles must be sought
BEFORE the operation commences. The fixed eye or bight of a mooring rope
or wire should NEVER be secured directly to the towing pin. Using a figure of
eight pattern around the pin and ensuring that at any time this can be quickly
released. The rope tail should be held by a person standing to landward as
 the vehicle is driven slowly along the quay, keeping an eye on both the rope
and driver at all times.
2. Should there be any reason to let this rope tail go the rope will be slipped, this
is why the mooring party should also be standing well clear during this
practice.
3. Sufficient slack rope or wire should be flaked on the quay to allow the eye to
be taken to the required bollard without strain.
4. On completion of the mooring operation report to the supervisor.

Scenario
The MV Baldo, a medium-sized cargo ship, approaches the port of Yokohama on a
sunny afternoon. With calm seas and clear skies, the mooring operation is expected
to be routine.

MEMBERS ON DUTIES:

Captain Mejillano: The experienced Captain of the MV Baldo, known for his
efficiency and focus on safety.
Chief Mate Obiso: A officer responsible for overseeing the mooring plan and crew
coordination.
Second Mate Perez: A officer who will be directing the mooring operation from the
bridge.
Third Mate Miole: Maintains communication with dockworkers and port authorities.
Bosun Pizon: The seasoned leader of the deck crew, ensuring safe and proper
handling of mooring lines and fenders.

AB (Able Bodied Seaman):

AB1: Assigned to handle the forward mooring lines.
AB2: Responsible for securing mooring lines on the higher decks.
AB3: Tasked with assisting Bosun Pizon.

OS (Ordinary Seaman):
OS1: A assigned to help with fender deployment, responsible for checking and
relaying line tension reports and tasked with messenger duties between the bridge
and the deck crew.
The Procedure:

Preparation: As the MV Baldo approaches the designated berth, Chief Mate Obiso
reviews the mooring plan with the Captain and ensures all mooring lines and fenders
are ready for deployment. Third Mate Miole establishes communication with
dockworkers to confirm their readiness.

Maneuvering: Captain Mejillano maneuvers the vessel under the guidance of local
pilots, carefully approaching the berth at a slow and steady pace. Bosun Pizon leads
the deck crew in deploying fenders along the ship’s hull to protect it from contact with
the dock.

Mooring Lines: Second Mate Perez directs the Abs (AB1, AB2, AB3) to secure the
mooring lines to bollards on the dock as instructed by the mooring plan. This
typically involves lines at the bow (front), stern (back), and sometimes spring lines
(diagonally) for added stability. OS1 relays line tension reports to the bridge,
ensuring proper tension is applied without overloading the lines.

Securing the Vessel: Once all mooring lines are secured and properly tensioned,
Bosun Pizon confirms their stability. Captain Mejillano receives confirmation from
the bridge and the dockworkers that the MV Baldo is safely moored.