XN000022-1996-03-12 — Page 17

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Tug and barge operators urged to take safety measures

The Marine Department today (Tuesday) appealed to operators and masters of all tow vessels and dumb steel lighters to follow safety measures and ensure proper handling of tow ropes.

The appeal was issued following a recent investigation into a fatal accident on a tow vessel.

A worker assigned to cast off the tow rope of a tow vessel was fatally injured by the backlash of a broken rope.

The investigation revealed that the tow rope did not safely clear the vessel after being released from the tow hook. It was caught in a ring on the after deck and parted.

As a result, the backlash of the broken tow rope hit the worker and fatally injured him.

The department urged owners, operators and masters of all tow vessels and dumb steel lighters to take the following safety measures:

to ensure the tow ropes are of the appropriate size and are in good condition for the tow voyage;

that tow ropes are led and secured properly;

that tow ropes are capable of being released quickly from the tow hood on the towing vessel;

that normally tow ropes should be released only when there is no stress on them, and

to ensure tow ropes are safely clear from the tow vessel, after release, before any engine movements are given.

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