Mooring and Line-Handling Safety

Key Hazards

• Line failure or sudden release striking workers in a snap-back zone
• Hands, feet, clothing, or body parts caught in loops or around fittings
• Workers pulled off balance or overboard by a loaded line
• Pinch and crush injuries between the boat, dock, cleats, and structures
• Conflicting commands between the operator and line handlers
• Damaged, wet, frozen, contaminated, or unsuitable lines failing during use

2–3 Minute Talk Script

Lines used for docking, anchoring, towing, and securing a boat can store significant energy. A line that tightens, parts, slips, or releases can cause severe struck-by, entanglement, pinch, and fall-overboard injuries.

Lines should be inspected before use for cuts, abrasion, glazing, chemical damage, broken fibers, stiff sections, damaged eyes, and contamination. A questionable line should be removed rather than trusted during a changing load.

Workers should keep hands and feet out of loops and avoid standing inside a bight of line. A line should never be wrapped around the hand, wrist, arm, waist, or another body part to gain leverage.

Snap-back and line-of-fire areas should remain clear. Workers should not stand directly in line with a tensioned line or where a failed line, fitting, cleat, hook, or attachment could travel.

The operator and line handlers should agree on commands before movement begins. Lines should be placed and released at the correct time, and the operator should stop when communication or worker location is unclear.

Workers should use stable footing and avoid reaching between the boat and dock. A moving hull can crush hands, feet, or the body even at low speed.

Lines should be led around approved fittings and managed so loose sections do not create trip hazards, enter the water near propulsion, or catch on equipment. Knots and attachments should be appropriate for the operation and crew training.

When wind, current, wake, ice, or vessel movement creates more load than the crew can control safely, the operation should pause and a different approach, additional line, mechanical aid, or more experienced support should be used.

Safety Reminders

• Inspect lines, eyes, knots, and attachment points before use.
• Keep hands and feet out of loops and bights.
• Never wrap a loaded line around the body.
• Stay clear of snap-back and line-of-fire zones.
• Use agreed commands between operator and line handlers.
• Keep lines away from propulsion and walking paths.
• Stop when line loads exceed safe manual control.

Ask the Crew

• Are the lines and attachment points in serviceable condition?
• Where are the bights, pinch points, and snap-back zones?
• What commands will the operator and line handlers use?
• Could a loose line enter the propeller or create a trip hazard?
• Do wind, current, or wake require a different securing method?