Insurance Wire

[j.sabourn]

I seem to be a bit hazy on the reason why it was carried, why it was called the Insurance wire, and was it mandatory at the time. Those who can remember a big wire on a reel under the focsle head usually (if had a raised focsle). I assume if memory correct its purpose may have been for towing if required. I have only ever seen it used for making a lee for lighters in the likes of the surf ports off Cuba. Is there anyone can jog my memory about this wire, I should know and as soon as someone mentions its reason, will come back, I hope. Cheers John Sabourn

[Ivan Cloherty]

According to Nicholls you are correct John, it is to be used by the disabled vessel to attach to the anchor cable brought aft on the rescuing vessel, All sounds so easy on paper doesn't it? As the recommended diameter was 5" or 6" depending on vessel makes it even easier!!!!. Have used it as an extra mooring wire in surge ports. How would modern crews manage, if it is still carried, required all hands and the ship's cat when we used it. Incidentally it is recommended that before attaching the anchor cable to the wire the anchor cable is first wrapped around the aft accommodation or the coaming of the most aft hatch, sounds even easier now!

John, can you please save further questions like this for weekdays, as they are not easy to find on a Sunday after a night of dancing and a bottle of wine (just for me)

[E.Martin]

Yes John I remember the so called insurance wire,only ever used it once we used it to moor the Shell T2 Tanker Theliconus on a river berth while at Antwerp,bit of a job getting the turns on the bits.
Should imagine the size of the wire was between 32 and 40 mill 6x19.

[j.sabourn]

#2.. Shouldn't drink the cheap carboard box wine. Stick to the good stuff, never get a bad head, just rots your insides. There is no mention why it was called the Insurance Wire, or was this just a seamens name giving by ship to same. Cheers John Sabourn

[j.sabourn]

Nicholls Seamanship...Never had that book if memory correct just had Reids Seamanship, Nicholls Concise Guide Vol. 1. Various Shipmaster Business and stability books. Now nothing except Nories Nautical Tables the old Bible. Still use for converting metres back to feet and inches. As Brian would say never got on to these Froggie measurements. Cheers John sabourn.

[robpage]

I looked this up out of interest , as I cannot imagine the few crewmen on modern ships throwing that wire around , It seems in some areas and for some ships it is mandatory SOLAS II-1/3-4 seems toi be the regulation about it , and areas such as the German Bight , Tankers must carry an Insurance wire

[Doc Vernon]

Was just looking at Exactly same thing Rob! Cheers

[robpage]

http://www.imo.org/KnowledgeCentre/R...nd%20them.html is the link , best of luck navigating through all that SOLAS stuff !!!!

[John Arton]

John S
This is the latest info. The Insurance wire should be more correctly termed "Emergency Towing Wire" and it is still requirement to carry one for Class purposes. Tankers over a certain Length/GT have had for a number of years to be fitted with Emergency towing arrangements fore and aft that can be deployed quickly and with the minimum man power. They can be power driven but in this case have to be connected to the emergency power source or have their own internal power source. Fwd it is usually a length of anchor cable coupled to the wire that can be lead through the forward most fairlead (Panama) and has its own specially strengthened bollard to which it is permanently attached. Aft is something similar though I have seen special units consisting of heavy man made fibre rope deployed on a reel with semi-automatic release arrangement's.
The DNV website will have more info.
rgds
JA



New+SOLAS+Emergency+Towing+Procedure+Requirement
New rules for emergency towing procedures for all vessels above 500 GT are scheduled to come into force on 1 January 2012.

Subject: On DNV.com: New SOLAS Emergency Towing Procedure Requirement Have a look at what I found on DNV.com. This is the link: http://www.dnv.com/industry/maritime/publicationsanddow...


Adopted on 16 May 2008, the new SOLAS requirement MSC.256 (84) has already entered into force for passenger ships and cargo vessels constructed after 1 January 2010. The requirement states: “Ships shall be provided with a ship-specific emergency towing procedure. Such a procedure shall be carried aboard the ship for use in emergency situations and shall be based on existing arrangements and equipment available on board the ship.”

A minimum of three copies of the ship-specific emergency towing procedure shall be kept on board and located on the bridge, in the forecastle space and in the ship’s office or cargo control room. Once implemented, the emergency towing procedure becomes a part of the safety management system for emergency preparedness as required by the ISM Code and will be verified during the ISM periodical audits.

Existing bollards and fairleads may be used for emergency towing, but it should be noted that mooring fittings were not part of the scope for Class approval until January 2007. In addition, DNV has discovered that under-deck strengthening is often inadequate for the stated SWL (Safe Working Load). Owners are therefore urged to ensure that the SWL reflects the actual strength by conducting a structural analysis or load test.

For new vessels keel-laid after 1 January 2010, the owners or newbuilding yard shall submit an emergency towing procedure to a DNV hull approval centre and ensure that the strength of the strongpoint and fairlead used for emergency towing complies with DNV’s mooring equipment requirements, based on MSC/circ.1175. Owners of existing vessels are advised to follow the same course of action as above but there are no formal requirements as to approval of the emergency towing procedure or strength of the strongpoint and fairlead used. At present, all existing DNV-classed vessels have been marked with a retroactive requirement (RR) notification which will be removed by the attending DNV surveyor once the procedure has been verified on board.

Date: 2011-06-06

[Ivan Cloherty]

#2.. Shouldn't drink the cheap carboard box wine. Stick to the good stuff, never get a bad head, just rots your insides. There is no mention why it was called the Insurance Wire, or was this just a seamens name giving by ship to same. Cheers John Sabourn

Never touch the cardboard stuff John, my treat to myself on a Saturday night is a nice bottle of French Merlot, or a Marlborough white. Where we dance you wouldn't ever see a cardboard wine, it isn't the head that's the problem, it's the body, as not a chicken anymore, but still a fast rock n roller, salsa man and quickstep because it sure as hell beats jogging. Favourite dance, a rumba/tango to Besame Mucho, brings back the memories of Cuba and South America where you danced with exotic girls you'd only ever seen in movies before in the 40's and 50's and thought they were a figment of someones imagination...................memories