Mooring operations are carried out by the Chief Officer (for the forward station) and the Second Officer (for the aft station); however, it varies among companies wherein sometimes the Third Officer executes the forward station so that the Chief Officer may be with the Master on bridge to hone his skills with regard to ship handling when mooring operations are in process.
A cargo vessel’s main earning potential is tested not just by the safe transport of goods while in open sea but also by the vessel’s turnaround time while in port. While the handling of the cargo itself is prime in assessing the efficiency of the operation, mooring also is an integral part of ensuring that the former runs smooth.
An efficient port and cargo operation of a ship is what every ship operator expects from its deck crew. The first and foremost operation performed by the deck crew as the ship reaches the port – the mooring operation is also one of the most difficult and dangerous jobs on ships.
