SA015 - Loss Prevention Safety Alert - Snap-Back Zones

SA 015
Snap-Back Zones
All mooring lines under tension will stretch, particularly those made from synthetic material. Should the line break, stored energy will be released as it reverts to its original length. The two ends of the line will recoil or snap-back towards and past the points to which they are secured. Anyone standing within the snap-back zone at either end of the line risks serious injury or death. Of the most commonly used types of synthetic mooring line, polymide (nylon) rope will stretch the most prior to breaking. Polypropylene and polyester ropes will also elongate significantly, but in general the amount they will stretch before breaking is only two thirds that of polymide. The degree of elongation of any rope type is likely to be greatest when it is new. When a synthetic mooring line breaks, the snap-back effect can be extremely powerful and the rope ends may reach a velocity of up to 800 km/h (500 mph) as they recoil. Longer mooring wires and towing wires will also stretch under tension and will snapback after breaking, but not to the same extent as synthetic mooring ropes. Although the speed of a wire which parts under tension is less forceful at up to 500 km/h (300 mph), anything in its path will still be struck with considerable force. tow hook. The possible area of the snap-back zone of the rope when it recoils will increase in breadth the further it travels from the point of breakage. The end of the broken rope may also recoil past the point to which it is secured to a distance almost If a rope breaks it will typically equal to the remaining length. It snap-back towards and past the should also be borne in mind point to which it is secured, be it that a rope leading around a mooring bitts, a winch or a tugs pedestal roller will fly back in a
Snap-Back Zones
In this reconstruction the seaman circled in blue was fatally injured when the headline parted as he approached the centre-lead. Note the approximate snap-back zones painted on the deck by the Panama leads
wide arc as it returns to the point to which it is secured. For this reason it is recommend that once a mooring line has been tensioned as required, it should be stoppered, removed from the pedestal roller and made fast directly to the mooring bitts.
officer in charge to order members of the mooring party to move clear if they are seen to be standing within a snap-back zone or the bight of a rope. Similarly, any crewmember observing a colleague in such a situation should warn them immediately to move to a Unlike natural fibre rope or wire, position of safety rather than synthetic fibre ropes provide relying on the officer in charge little or no audible warning that to do so. they are about to break. Consequently crewmembers If it is necessary for a crewmemshould never assume that a line ber to approach a line under under tension is safe and should tension and enter a snap-back always stand well clear of the zone to complete a task, they potential snap-back zones. should do so when the line is under the least amount of To ensure that there is proper tension and spend the absolute supervision, the officer in charge minimum time necessary in the of a mooring party should danger area, moving clear control and oversee the entire immediately afterwards. All process and should not become other persons not directly physically involved in the involved in the mooring operation. This will allow the operation should be kept well
away from the area. It is becoming increasing common for shipping companies to evaluate the mooring areas aboard their vessels to identify the possible snap-back zones in the vicinity of winches, fairleads, mooring bits and pedestal rollers. These areas are then painted on the deck in a suitable contrasting colour to improve awareness and highlight the risks. Further information on snapback zones can be found in Chapter 25 and Annex 25 of the United Kingdom Maritime and Coastguard Agencys Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seaman. Members requiring any further guidance are advised to contact the Loss Prevention department.
Photo: MAIB Report: MV Freemantle Express Fatality during mooring operation, Veracruz (Mexico) 15 July 2011 Crown Copyright

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