UK maritime aims to eradicate use of DWHLs
(Posted on 07/07/19)
The UK maritime industry is taking a leading stand in the fight against the illegal use of Dangerously Weighted Heaving Lines (“DWHLs”) in UK ports and harbours, an issue spanning the shipping and ports sectors.
To coincide with the Department for Transport’s important Maritime Safety Week 2019, #maritimesafetyweek, the British Ports Association, British Tugowners Association, Port Skills and Safety, UK Chamber of Shipping, UK Major Ports Group, and UK Marine Pilots Association have issued a joint notice to raise awareness against their use and the consequences.
Richard Steele, Chief Executive of Ports Skills and Safety, the UK's professional ports health and safety membership organisation, welcomed the notice:
Health and safety is a shared responsibility and I am delighted to be part of this joint commitment to raise standards and show real leadership on the issue of dangerously weighted heaving lines. Inappropriate and illegal use of DWHLs poses significant risks to maritime workers both on vessels and on the quayside. There are clear, well established rules for safe use. These must be adhered to.
The notice highlights what is expected of seafarers in the International and Domestic codes of the International Labour Organization (“ILO”) Code of Practice – Safety and Health in Ports and the Marine and Coastguard Agency’s (“MCA’s”) Code of Safe Working Practices, and cross-industry signatories call for ship-owners, ship-managers, ship’s agents, port operators and pilots to assist in eradicating the use of DWHLs through simple steps:
- Informing all incoming vessels of their duty to follow the Code of Safe Working Practices (COSWP)
- Issuing them with MCA Safety Bulletin No. 2 – Dangerous Weighted Heaving Lines
Stressing that fines, Port State Control Inspections and criminal prosecution are likely, especially should a vessel persist in using DWHLs.
Latest News
Dry bulk stable as Antwerp-Bruges grows in first half of 2024
(Posted on 22/07/24)The total throughput of Port of Antwerp-Bruges was 143.2 million tonnes in the first six months of this... Read more
PD Ports aiming to be the UK’s most sustainable port
(Posted on 22/07/24)PD Ports has a publicly stated aim to be the UK’s most sustainable port company, with a commitment... Read more
Cargo transhipment in North Sea Port remains stable
(Posted on 16/07/24)Over the first six months of this year, the companies in North Sea Port recorded a volume of 33.4 million... Read more
Rotterdam to support redevelopment of Curaçao industrial zone
(Posted on 12/07/24)Port of Rotterdam Authority will contribute to the redevelopment of the lands owned by the state-owned... Read more
ABP boosts marine capability through pilot launch upgrades
(Posted on 12/07/24)Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s largest and leading ports operator, has announced an... Read more
ABP Humber welcomes Laura Wood as new Head of Commercial
(Posted on 04/07/24)As Head of Commercial, Laura will head up the team responsible for Associated British Port’s wide... Read more
Cooperation on multiple port projects in Bangladesh
(Posted on 28/06/24)Abu Dhabi, one of the world’s leading facilitators of global trade, logistics, and industry, and... Read more
Sastry: Africa’s mining industry offers high margins and long-term contracts
(Posted on 20/06/24)Speaking at this year’s Drycon conference in Mumbai, Capt. Pappu Sastry, CEO of Adhira Shipping... Read more
Tunley Environmental announces ambitious transatlantic expansion plans
(Posted on 19/06/24)Sustainability consultancy Tunley Environmental is announcing ambitious transatlantic expansion plans... Read more
Duluth earns favourable marks in Green Marine environmental rating
(Posted on 14/06/24)The Duluth Seaway Port Authority and its terminal operations on Rice’s Point ranked among the... Read more
