Safety Bulletin 2 - Dangerously weighted ships heaving lines
Published 28 September 2015
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Summary of issue
There have been several instances where dangerously weighted heaving lines, including the use of monkey’s fists with additional weights inserted into them, have been used resulting in serious injury.
Further guidance is contained in Ch 26 section 26.3.5 in the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers.
Vessels using dangerously weighted heaving lines in the UK may be subject to prosecution.
Examples
Examples of dangerously weighted heaving lines
Dangerously weighted heaving line.
Further example of dangerously weighted heaving line.
Dangerously weighted ‘Monkey fist’ that had additional weights inserted.
Examples of safe alternatives
High-visibility soft pouch.
‘Monkey fist’ made of rope only, no additional weights added.