UK P&I Club turns spotlight on dangers of the tug and barge world

THE UK P&I Club has announced that its latest loss prevention publication, entitled "Tug and Barge Matters" and focuses on bad and good practices in smaller craft handling.

"Tugs and barges are often dangerous work environments especially in choppy seas. Crew and visitors transferring between tugs or between tugs and barges can easily slip and find themselves in the water or crushed between the two vessels. Care needs to be taken at all times and ladders and rails need to be in first-class condition," said the report.

"As in many other shipping sectors, following good practice is usually very inexpensive and can be achieved for example by better signage and marking of danger areas such as on the mooring decks. Crews have a major role to play by noting hazards as they move around the vessel. Frayed wires, ropes and straps left where they could cause a trip should be attended to. Likewise oil leaks and drips, no matter how minor.

"Replacing damaged or worn-out equipment may come at a greater cost, but there is no excuse for using such things. Replacing a fender, for example, is cheaper than the cost of meeting claims when an incident occurs.

'Tug and Barge Matters' can be downloaded from the UK P&I club website: http://www.ukpandi.com/knowledge-developments/article/tug-barge-matters-lp-news-supplement-5645/