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PSC deficiency code 02140: Towing and Mooring Equipment

Area 02 Structural conditions

Code 02140 is the SOLAS code for towing and mooring equipment: bollards, bitts, chocks, roller and pedestal fairleads and the winches that hold the lines, with the plan and records that go with them. The inspector writing it doubts the gear would take normal mooring loads, or that the ship maintains it as SOLAS now asks. The ropes themselves, as a crew safety risk, usually go under the MLC code 18416.

What the inspector looks at

Most of this is checked on the mooring stations fore and aft.

  • Rollers and fairleads turning freely, without deep grooves, flat spots or cracks
  • Bollards, bitts and chocks free of cracks, heavy wastage and failed welds at the deck
  • Safe working load marked on each shipboard fitting
  • The towing and mooring arrangements plan on board and matching what's fitted
  • Winch brakes: lining condition, adjustment, and records of brake tests
  • Inspection and maintenance records for the mooring equipment, lines included

Common findings

  • Fairlead roller seized, line chafing on fixed roller
  • Bollard foundation weld cracked at deck
  • SWL not marked on shipboard fittings
  • Towing and mooring arrangements plan not on board
  • No records of inspection and maintenance of mooring equipment
  • Mooring winch brake lining worn, no record of brake test

The rule behind it

SOLAS chapter II-1, regulation 3-8 (towing and mooring equipment) was amended by MSC 102, in force from 1 January 2024. It requires safe designs of mooring arrangements and a regime of inspection and maintenance with proper documentation. The design part is aimed at new ships; inspection and maintenance cover existing ships too. IMO adopted guidelines alongside it on the design of mooring arrangements, on inspection and maintenance of mooring equipment including lines, and revised guidance on shipboard towing and mooring equipment, which deals with SWL marking and the arrangements plan.

Action codes you are likely to see

A seized roller freed during the visit is often marked 10. Missing records or SWL markings tend to get 16 or 17. A cracked bollard seat or a brake that won't hold is usually 17. This equipment isn't among the examples in the IMO list of detainable deficiencies, but the officer may treat a serious case, such as several fittings unfit for mooring loads, as a ground for detention (30). See action taken codes.

How to close it

The deck crew can free and grease rollers, mark SWLs from the arrangements plan and start the records in the planned maintenance system. Cracked fittings or foundations need a welding repair agreed with class. A worn brake lining is renewed and the brake tested, with the result recorded. Keep photos, the work order, the brake test record and any class report with the Form B. Related: mooring ropes and wires, deck corrosion and railings and walkways. Winches, anchoring gear and mooring area lighting also have MLC codes.

Questions

Does SOLAS II-1/3-8 apply to existing ships?

The inspection and maintenance requirements, with their documentation, apply to existing ships too. The new design requirements for mooring arrangements are for new ships.

What's the difference between 02140 and 18416?

02140 is the SOLAS code for the fittings, winches, plan and records. 18416 is the MLC code for mooring ropes, lines and wires as a hazard to the crew. A badly worn line may be written under either; the Form B text says what has to be done.

Do bollards and fairleads need SWL markings?

IMO guidance on shipboard towing and mooring equipment and class rules expect each shipboard fitting to be marked with its safe working load, consistent with the towing and mooring arrangements plan. Inspectors check that the marks are there and readable.

Sources

Written by the SuperRonin team from the sources above. Last updated 6 Nov 2026. This page explains the rules; the regulation, the PSC officer and your flag and class have the final word. If something here doesn't match what you see on board, write to [email protected] and we'll correct it.

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