CAREFUL WITH THOSE MONKEY'S FISTS
IN THE PAST seafarers would weight 'monkey's fists'
to
the end of heaving lines so that the line would travel a greater distance when thrown. These knots on the
end of the lines might be weighted with lead sinkers or heavy nuts placed inside the monkey's fist to give greater accuracy when thrown.
This practice is not now acceptable, as it increases the risk of serious injury if a linesman, shore worker, or crewmember aboard a tug or mooring boat, if struck by the object during mooring operations or when the heaving line is thrown back to the ship.
In their publication: "Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen", Section 25.3.2: the United Kingdom Maritime and Coastguard Agency has now decided that this is a dangerous practice: "Vessel's heaving lines should be constructed with a
"monkey's fist" at one end. To prevent personal injury, the "fist" should be made only with rope and should not contain added weighting material. If a weighted heaving line is used, the monkey's fist or additional weight risks being cut off by the linesmen or the tug crew before the heaving line is returned to the vessel. Moreover, some ports prohibit the use of additional heavy material and vessels may be fined for breaching local regulations if a weighted end is used. Therefore, when making a monkey's fist, it should be borne in mind that no extra weight should be added. In view of a recent incident involving an entered vessel it is also recommended that monkey's fists in service be checked to ensure they contain no additional weights. A monkey's fist found to contain such material should be removed and replaced. Under no circumstances should other weights, such as shackles or other heavy objects, be tied to the end of heaving lines. Prior to throwing a heaving line, the vessel's mooring party should alert the linesmen, mooring boat and/ or tug crew and anyone else in the vicinity that a line is about to be thrown. The operation should only proceed if the area where the heaving line will land is clear of personnel. Members requiring further guidance should contact the Loss Prevention department."
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Contact us for an obligation-free quote or advice for supply and installation.
GENERAL MARINE SERVICES LIMITED
Stockists of the entire range of Kahlenberg horns and accessories.
196 Pakenham Street West Westhaven Auckland New Zealand Phone: + 64 9 309 6317 Facsimile: + 64 9 309 6897 Email: sales@generalmarine.co.nz www.generalmarine.co.nz
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