photos and text by Maersk
Copenhagen, Denmark and Charlotte, North Carolina
Maersk will begin implementation of an innovation called Snap Back Arrestor (SBA) ropes on the mooring lines used to hold vessels in place while docked in port for loading and unloading. Mooring is one of the most dangerous aspects of port and vessel operations. When a mooring rope holding a docked vessel snaps, the abrupt energy release can cause the rope to whip across the dock and ship at a speed of almost 500 MPH or more than twice the speed of a NASCAR level race car.
Working closely with suppliers to solve this industry challenge – Maersk chose a Norwegian-based manufacturer called TIMM ROPES who offered new mooring rope technology which features a special core that elongates more than the surrounding rope, acting to absorb and dampen the tremendous energy released when mooring ropes break while under strain. As a result, instead of snapping back in unpredictable ways at great speed, a broken SBA rope will simply drop to the ground. The new ropes are also colored with a Maersk blue color stripe, making it easier for operators to spot any damage or twists in the rope that could affect breakage. This is another important visual feature developed to enhance the safety of people working in our industry.
Taking safety from the laboratory to the fleet Once the SBA concept was verified by snap tests at the TIMM ROPES manufacturing facility, several Maersk vessels were enrolled in a ninemonth pilot project in 2019 to ensure the rope’s operational conditions,alongside traditional mooring ropes, using vessels of various sizes. Collaboration with TIMM ROPES, a supplier to the industry since the 18th century, ensured the standardization of the new SBA mooring rope sizes and compatibility with existing mooring designs.
“This SBA rope technology embraces one of the fundamental elements of our “Safety Differently approach, by building in capacity to safeguard people” said Aslak Ross, Maersk’s Head of Marine Standards.
Each year Maersk buys and replaces some 1,000 mooring ropes – an annual expense of nearly USD 2 million. Traditional mooring ropes have a five-year lifespan and Maersk will be implementing an exchange program in which their current, high quality mooring ropes will be replaced at the end of their lifecycle with SBA enhanced ropes at a pace which also reflects the supply and availability. Full fleet implementation of the new SBA ropes is planned to be completed within five years.
“This new technology and innovative approach enables us to safely transform the mooring rope approach in our industry and help lead by example to protect our seafarer community and our dockworkers ashore,” added Mr. Ross.
Innovative rope design improves vessel mooring safety
by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 18 June 2020
Read more...
Video River Pilot. Unmooring & mooring vessel operation. Safe approaching terminal.
Shifting a vessel from one harbor to other. Easy and safe maneuver. Turn area D=150m. Mooring area 110m.
Video Huge ship crane collapses during tests in the port of Rostock, Germany
Found on YouTube. Created by "MV1 - Heimat bewegt"
Rostock; 02.05.2020: Actually, the special ship with the giant heavy-lift crane crane, which was designed for over 5,000 tons load capacity, was supposed to be delivered in the next few days. During final tests the crane broke off in the afternoon of May 2. Four people were injured in the accident. This is the second accident with Liebherr cranes this year in the Rostock overseas port. Already in February this year two cranes were reported to have fallen into the water during loading.
Vessel was planned to work on Moray East Offshore Wind Farm in Scotland waters, she was to begin works in some two weeks, after load tests run in Rostock. ORION I was built in China, but crane was installed in Rostock
Offshore wind farms crane vessel ORION I, IMO 9825453, dwt 60575, built 2019 (COSCO Shipping Qidong Offshore Co., Ltd., China), operator Deme Offshore.
Article Capt. and Marine Pilot Burliegh Oscar Bruno died suddenly on Saturday, January 18
by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 29 January 2020
According to information from “Dominica News Online” and “Dominica Air and Sea Ports Authority”
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by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 22 January 2020
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Article ‘Smart Ports. Piers of the future' brings together six large ports
by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 25 November 2019
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Article Information & Rules of conduct for maritime pilots regarding COVID-19
by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 19 March 2020
Information about Corona, COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2.
Video Busan Port: Collision of MILANO BRIDGE with cranes and container ship SEASPAN GANGES
Found on YouTube. Created by SailorsTV on Apr 6.
Container ship MILANO BRIDGE in the afternoon Apr 6 contacted gantry crane 85 at Busan New Port container terminal while proceeding to berth 7 with pilot on board, then she contacted berthed container ship SEASPAN GANGES, and moving on momentum further on, contacted cranes 81 and 84. Crane 85 collapsed, cranes 81 and 84 were derailed, crane 85 operator was slightly injured.
SEASPAN GANGES left port shortly after accident, understood damages were slight or none.
MILANO BRIDGE as of 1100 UTC wasn’t yet moored, probably because of crane debris on her stern.
Watch also (video of AIS track)
Unofficial internal company timeline report
REMARK:
Thanks for serious comments. We only show the incident objectively and we do not allow ourselves to make a quick judgement about what happened.
This is a terrible accident, especially for the involved crews on ships and cranes, the captain and the pilot. Please have respect for the people! We will have to wait for the investigation and will continue to report on it.
Nobody wants to experience such an accident themselves.
Video Those Who Serve: Columbia River bar pilots risk their lives to guide cargo ships
Found on YouTube. Created by KGW News. (08/02/2019)
Columbia River Bar Pilots risk their lives every day and night to keep cargo ships moving across the dangerous Columbia River Bar. They work in any weather and help protect the environment by making sure the big ships do not crash on their way in or out of the river.
Story: on.kgw.com/2OHTBMH
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Find KGW News online: https://www.kgw.com/
Article In Memoriam of Captain Dennis R. Sherwood (1955 - 2019)
by Bianca Reineke, lutheran Pastor, Germany - published on 3 January 2020
Ladders are the bridges for crossing the rough seas of our lives.
When you are a Marine Pilot at work, hoping and praying that the ladders which let you embark the vessel are stable, safe and not dangerous.
In Memoriam of the late Captain Dennis Sherwood who passed away on Monday the 30th of December.
Video PORT REVEL SHIP HANDLING TRAINING CENTRE
Port Revel is a ship handling training center for pilots, captains and officers. Unique in its kind, it allows to acquire new skills, to improve on different manned models at scale 1 / 25th.