The safe operation of ship of any type is not only about the competence and skills of officers and crew that operates it. The safety of the ship also relies on how all its machinery is being maintained. All machinery from engine to deck undergoes inspections in appropriate intervals. The conduct of inspection is to assure all machinery are properly maintained and recorded in compliance to the company policy as provided for by the International Safety Management Code of the International Maritime Organization rules and regulations.
Part of the deck machinery that undergoes mandatory inspection and maintenance is the mooring winch. Mooring winch machinery is where mooring lines or ropes of a ship is being stored or secured. Regular marine vessel usually have mooring winch in both forward and aft but others have extra winch amidships or in the middle and uses chains in some particularly cases.
The maintenance of mooring winch comes up with a portable device powerful enough to test the winch’s strength and toughness. Mooring winches are tested in a regular basis for safety purposes because deck machineries are prone to the elements which cause eventual damage to parts or components. Not to mention the wear and tear due to regular use of the said machinery.
Mooring winch maintenance is not a one man show; officers and crew work together as a team as shown in the photos. An Engine and Deck officer leads the crew in performing the regular and mandatory testing of mooring winch during a lull in sea voyage.
