August 2025: Cargo ships timber lashing
Background
In 2023, on a foreign‑flagged ship, crew were securing logs in line with the ship’s loading plan. They were tensioning a series of steel wires using the ship’s crane.
The chief officer was walking along the top of the logs, doing both visual and manual checks of the steel wire lashings.
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The visual inspection included looking for slack wires and checking turnbuckles and lashing wires for wear or damage.
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The manual inspection involved testing wire tension by placing one foot on the wires and applying pressure.
During this manual testing, a turnbuckle used to tension the wires broke. The wire snapped back and injured the chief officer.
Investigation findings
The investigation found there were no:
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clear, safe procedures for applying tension to, or testing the tension of, lashing wires
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identified safe zones for crew
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risk assessments for tensioning, including the possibility of snapback.
The broken turnbuckle was rusted. The company did not have a replacement schedule for wire ropes or turnbuckles. Crew relied on limited visual inspection to decide whether equipment was safe.
Reminder about legal duties
Vessel stability is important for safe passage, but it is not the only factor to consider when loading a cargo ship. Under the Maritime Transport Act 1994 (MTA), operators must have clear processes to keep the ship and everyone on board safe.
These processes must include:
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conducting risk assessments
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putting controls in place to protect crew and dock workers from unnecessary danger or risk.
All ships in New Zealand waters are subject to the MTA, including section 65, dangerous activity involving ships or maritime products.
Ships loading logs in a New Zealand port must also comply with section 3 of Maritime Rules Part 24C, Carriage of Cargoes – Specific Cargoes.
New Zealand operators of cargo vessels and stevedores have duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA).
Good practice for all ships loading logs in New Zealand
Operators and masters of foreign‑flagged ships loading logs in a New Zealand port should, to help employers of local stevedores meet their HSWA section 36 duties and to discharge their own duties under the MTA:
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have clear written processes for lashing, tensioning, and testing tension in lashings, and check that crew follow them
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clearly define and enforce safe zones so crew are not injured by snapback
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have a regular, scheduled process for replacing wires and turnbuckles, rather than relying only on visual checks by crew.