Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L01173:body:0:p77
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L01173
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 200003–202785

be clear to avoid misinterpretation of instructions from other users of such equipment.
Before anchors are let go, a check should be made that no small craft or other obstacle is under the bow. As a safety precaution it is recommended that the anchor is 'walked out' clear of the pipe before letting go. For larger ships with heavy anchors and cables, the anchor should be paid out rather than be allowed to 'free-fall', minimising the risk of injury to crew or damage to the anchor handling equipment.
Anchors housed and not required should be properly secured to prevent accidental release.
Any anchor or chain showing defects should be withdrawn from service and repaired and tested by a suitable shore workshop.
Except in emergencies the anchor should not be dropped from the hawse pipe but should be walked back to a suitable position and let go from that position.
Seafarers engaged in operating the brake, and others in the vicinity should wear goggles (or a full-face shield) and safety helmets for protection from dust and debris thrown from the chain.
Seafarers engaged in stowing an anchor chain into the locker should stand in a protected position and should keep in constant communication with the windlass operator.

17.2              Mooring and unmooring
SOLAS Regulation II-I/3-8 prescribes requirements for ships' towing and mooring arrangement. IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1175 provides guidance on shipboard towing and mooring arrangement.
All seafarers involved in mooring and unmooring operations of any kind should be informed of the hazards of engaging in such operations.
A competent person should be in charge of mooring operations and ascertain that there are no persons in a dangerous position before commencing any heaving or letting go operation.
On each occasion that a vessel berths, all relevant circumstances such as weather, tides, passing vessels etc., should be considered in determining a safe securing pattern of ropes and wires.
Mixed moorings of wires and ropes in the same direction should not be used because wires and ropes stretch differently.
There should be sufficient seafarers available to ensure the safe conduct of operations.
Only competent persons should operate windlasses and winches.
Under no circumstances should seafarers stand in a bight of a rope or wire which is lying on deck. Seafarers should never stand or move across a rope or wire that is under strain.
Ropes and wires are frequently under strain during mooring operations and seafarers should always stand in a place of safety from whiplash should ropes or wires break.
Due to the types of synthetic ropes that may be on board ship, seafarers should be trained in the techniques of "stopping off" wires and ropes. Chain securing devices should be used for stopping off