According to Korean Register, amendments to SOLAS II-1/Reg.3-8 “Towing and mooring equipment” were adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee at MSC 102 and will enter into force on or after 1 January 2024. In particular, these amendments introduce new safety requirements for design, selection, inspection, maintenances and replacement of mooring and towing arrangements in conjunction with MSC.1/Circ.1175/ Rev.1, MSC.1/Circ.1619 and MSC.1/Circ.1620.
New ship designs, and especially the design of large ships, have resulted in optimized performance and a greater degree of complexity. It is a widely recognized fact that the development and design of mooring systems have not adequately followed the development of ships. Despite efforts to improve how safe mooring operations, there is still a high number of accidents during these operations.
Actions to be taken
1. While applying the SOLAS II-1/Reg.3-8.4, 3-8.5 and 3-8.8 for new ships of less than 3,000 gross tonnage, the following is prepared on board:
– The “Towing and mooring arrangements plan” should provide the following
– The maximum brake holding load of mooring winches
– Information according to the paragraph 5 of MSC.1/Circ.1175/Rev.1
A mill sheet of the mooring lines:
– The properties of mooring lines related to LDBF and bend radius (D/d ratio)
– Including warning that the wear rate of lines may be higher for lower diameter. (paragraph 5.6 of MSC.1/Circ.1620)
– At initial survey of the ship, the surveyor should confirm that the plan and documents should be provided on board for the above information.
2. While applying the SOLAS II-1/Reg.3-8.4, 3-8.5 and 3-8.7, for new ships of 3,000 gross tonnage and above, the following should be prepared on board in addition to those specific above 1):
– A document should be provided for information and as a supplement to the towing and mooring arrangements plan, confirming that MSC.1/Circ.1619 has been considered;
– Justification and suitable safety measures related to the deviations from requirements in MSC.1/Circ.1620 should be provided included in the supplement to the towing and mooring arrangements plan if there are deviations (paragraph 6 of MSC.1/Circ.1619);
– If deviations are not found necessary, and the supplement is not needed, then this should be mentioned explicitly in the towing and mooring arrangements plan;
– The maximum brake holding load of mooring winches should be less than 100% of the Ship Design Minimum Breaking Load (MBLSD) (paragraphs 5.2.3.3 and 5.2.4 of MSC.1/Circ.1619); and
– The winches should be fitted with brakes that allow for the reliable setting of the brake rendering load.
At initial survey of the ship, the surveyor should confirm that the towing and mooring arrangements plan and the supplement describing deviations and suitable safety measures are provided on board.
Download the technical guidance: Towing and Mooring SOLAS II-1 / Reg. 3-8 Amendment
