Moor and berth boats and yachts

This standard identifies the competences you need to moor and berth boats and yachts, in accordance with approved procedures. You will be required to handle mooring ropes and chains correctly and safely. In addition, you will be able to position and secure items such as gangways, walkways, platforms, pontoons. Prior to carrying out mooring and berthing operations, you must ensure that mooring ropes and chains are in a suitable condition and are laid out to minimise any risk of injury to persons involved in the operations.

Any developing or actual unsafe situations must be communicated immediately to the person who has overall responsibility for the berthing and mooring operation. During mooring and berthing operations, you will be expected to comply with organisational procedures, which will include the proper interpretation or verbal orders, some of which will be via radio communication, and the use and interpretation of hand signals.

This standard applies to boat and yachts with or without their own power, or assisted by a marina launch, to be safely positioned against floating or fixed structures found within a marina.

Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the mooring and berthing activities undertaken, and to report any problems with these activities that you cannot personally resolve, or are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You will be expected to work to instructions, in conjunction with others, taking full responsibility for your own actions and for the safety of yourself and others around you.

Your underpinning knowledge will be sufficient to provide a good understanding of mooring and berthing operations and will provide an informed approach to applying the laid-down procedures. You will have an understanding of the handling characteristics of ropes and chains and the correct use of ancillary equipment used in the berthing and mooring operations. You will understand signalling and communication procedures, in sufficient depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the mooring and berthing activity safely and correctly. You will also understand the storage, maintenance and inspection requirements of the mooring equipment.

You will understand the safety precautions required and risks involved in the mooring and berthing operations and the ways in which these can be minimised. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout and will understand the responsibility you owe to yourself and others, both ashore and afloat.

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1. work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations and guidelines
2. follow the relevant operational procedures when carrying out your activities
3. carry out your activities within the limits of your personal authority
4. prepare equipment/machinery correctly for mooring/berthing operations
5. check that marina pontoons are safe and suitable for mooring/berthing operations
6. use signals and other communications effectively
7. assist in positioning and securing the vessel with regard for prevailing conditions

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1. the specific safety precautions to be taken during mooring and berthing operations (to include personal protective equipment, safety of others, accident procedures, statutory regulations and risk assessment procedures)
2. the hazards associated with carrying out mooring and berthing operations and how they can be minimised
3. the communication techniques used during the mooring and berthing operations
4. the various verbal commands and communication methods that are used (including correct radio communication procedures)
5. the correct methods of laying out ropes and chains, in preparation for mooring and berthing operations
6. how to establish boat to shore links, including electrical power
7. the characteristics of ropes when being heaved, or slackened
8. the importance of fairleads when heaving or slackening ropes
9. the range of equipment and machinery necessary for mooring and berthing operations
10. the effect of environmental conditions (including tides and wind) on mooring and berthing operations
11. the purpose of items such as headlines and springs when carrying out mooring and berthing operations
12. the techniques for applying stoppers to ropes and chains
13. how to secure ropes and chains to items such as bollards and mooring posts
14. how to check the condition of ropes, chains, marina pontoons and associated equipment
15. the correct storage of rope and chains
16. the problems that can occur with the mooring and berthing operations, and how these can be overcome
17. the importance of ensuring that the completed mooring is safe and secure
18. the importance of ensuring that guard rails, chains and stanchions are correctly secured
19. what to do if you find flaws or damage in the ropes or chains being used
20. what should be done in the event of a boat being damaged during mooring and berthing operations
21. the extent of your own responsibility and whom you should report to if you have problems that you cannot resolve

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1. Ensure that all of the following have been carried out, prior to mooring and berthing operations:

   1. ropes and chains, as appropriate, are laid out in such a way as to minimise risk during the operations
   2. communication systems are adequate and operational
   3. cleats and marina pontoons are in place and secure
   4. the nature of the mooring/berthing operation is understood by everyone involved
   5. all ropes and chains are suitable for the mooring/berthing operation, and are in good condition

2. Establish a mooring line to-shore link, using one of the following:

   1. heaving line                  
   2. mooring boat                 

3. Take part in the positioning of the vessel, craft or structure, ensuring fairleads, and using three of the following:

   1. bow lines                       
   2. stern lines                            
   3. springs

4. During berthing and mooring operations, position and secure two of the following:

   1. gangways           
   2. platforms
   3. walkways             
   4. pontoons
   5. landing stages      
   6. fixed fenders
   7. mobile fenders

5. Let go the vessel, craft or structure from the moorings, ensuring all of the following:

   1. head and stern lines, breast lines and springs are singled up and let go in the correct sequence
   2. relevant people are informed when letting go moorings that could foul such as propellers, thrusters 
   3. all lines are retrieved with the maximum speed, consistent with safety
   4. where appropriate, marina launches are secured prior to letting go
   5. retrieved ropes are safely coiled to avoid trip hazards

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You will be able to apply the appropriate behaviours required in the workplace to meet the job profile and overall company objectives, such as:

• strong work ethic
• positive attitude
• team player
• dependability
• responsibility
• honesty
• integrity
• motivation
• commitment

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2

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01 Feb 2021

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Current

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Original

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Semta

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SEMME2136

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Engineering, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies

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5235

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Engineering; marine; assist; mooring; berthing; ship-to-shore link; position vessel; secure vessel; access vessel

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