Any number of mistakes could lead to injuries on board ships and on the docks, whether here in Louisiana or elsewhere. Crews often prepare for emergencies, even those that have a small chance of happening. However, ordinarily every day, mundane tasks lead to serious injuries. For instance, mooring accidents could cause devastating injuries.
Some equipment on vessels gets used periodically, but the mooring ropes get used regularly. Without regular maintenance, the safety of anyone in their path is compromised. Of course, the rope could be in good repair and still fail. For instance, issues that could lead to a catastrophic failure include prolonged and repeated radial compression and bending, high levels of cyclic loading at exposed terminals, and/or fatigue from the ropes bending around the fittings of the deck, among other things.
Other than outside forces, the rope itself could be a source of danger. It must meet the requirements of the particular ship using it. If the rope is not suitable, it could fail. For this reason, detailed calculations are required in order to help ensure that the mooring ropes will work as designed.
Numerous people on both the vessel and the dock work around mooring ropes everyday. If they do not meet the proper safety qualifications, someone could suffer serious injuries. For this reason, preventing mooring accidents must be one of many safety priorities. If an accident does occur, the victim will need benefits, such as the payment of medical bills and at least a portion of lost income. When it comes to those who work on Louisiana’s docks and on ships, a victim’s work will determine whether those benefits are sought through the Jones Act or the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act.
