Safe Mooring requirements: New requirements under SOLAS II-I Reg. 3-8 (effective date 1-1-2024).

The MSC agreed to revise SOLAS regulation II-1/3-8 and associated guidelines (MSC.1/Circ.1175) and to develop new guidelines for safe mooring operations for all ships to prevent unsafe and unhealthy work situations during mooring operations. 

The two guidelines on safe mooring are: 

• (NEW) The MSC.1/Circ.1619, Guidelines on the design of mooring arrangements and the selection of appropriate mooring equipment and fittings for safe mooring, which will affect new buildings. 
• The MSC.1/Circ.1620, Guidelines for inspection and maintenance of mooring equipment including lines, which will be a retroactive requirement and will therefore affect existing vessels. 

Owners (ship managers) should establish the following onboard maintenance and inspection procedures: 

• Procedures for mooring operations, inspection, and maintenance of mooring equipment, including mooring lines. 
• Procedures to allow the identification and control of mooring lines, tails, and associated attachments. 
• Periodic inspection of mooring lines, mooring line tails, and associated attachments as part of the onboard maintenance plan or equivalent maintenance management system. 
• Manufacturersʹ criteria for replacement of mooring lines should be available. 
• Records of the original design concept, equipment, arrangements, and specifications should be available on board. 

The maintenance and inspection procedures above are required to be confirmed on board at the time of: 

• Initial surveys completed on or after 1 January 2024 for new ships;  
• First Cargo Ship Safety Construction survey (annual, intermediate, or renewal), on or after 1 January 2024, for existing ships; or  
• Passenger Ship Safety survey, on or after 1 January 2024, for existing ships 

References 

• SOLAS II-I Reg.3-8, Towing and mooring equipment 
• MSC.1/Circ.1619, Guidelines on the design of mooring arrangements and the selection of appropriate mooring equipment and fittings for safe mooring 
• MSC.1/Circ.1620, Guidelines for inspection and maintenance of mooring equipment including line 
• MSC.1/Circ.1175, Guidance on shipboard towing and mooring equipment (remains applicable to ships constructed on or after 1 January 2007 but before 1 January 2024) 

• MSC.1/Circ.1175/Rev.1∗ “Revised Guidance on Shipboard Towing And Mooring Equipment” applicable to ships constructed on or after 1 January 2024 
• DryBMS (Rightship) (Subject Area 19 “Mooring – Anchoring) 
• BHP, OCIMF MEG4 Sect. 1.9 
• Port Hedland MSIB 01/2021 
• IMO MSC.1/Circ.1362/Rev.2 (recently published, which includes several interpretations relevant to the new requirements). 

 It is highly recommended that companies review their procedures, records, and forms to ensure the above items have been properly addressed. 

Margetis Maritime can assist Companies in preparing a ship-specific “Mooring System & Lines Management Plan” meeting the requirements of SOLAS & also BHP, MEG4, OCIMF, Port Hedland, and DryBMS. 

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