Snapback Protection Solution
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Snapback
Mooring line failure, also known as mooring snapback, is a leading cause of injuries to marine workers. One in seven reported incidents results in fatality, and one in five in serious harm. When a mooring line ruptures, the parted line can reach speeds of 1200 km/h. Snapback events are caused by various factors rather than a single event.
This makes them difficult to prevent. The likelihood of future mooring incidents may also be adversely affected by severe weather events and increased vessel sizes. Protecting effectively against such incidents can be difficult. It often requires extended downtime for berth maintenance an restricted access during mooring operations.
The full-scale testing undertaken in cooperation with Holmes Solutions is a first-of-its-kind and has given a unique insight into the behaviour of ruptured lines. Full-scale, real-world testing is essential when designing for high-risk industries where safety is crucial. From adventure rides to roadside barriers and rockfall protection, the detailed data gained from this type of testing is key to the success of life-safety products.
The first validated solution against mooring line failure transforms maritime safety and prevents injury during a Snapback event.
Mooring efficiency
Ports are busy and often have limited access. Our Snapback protection solutions allow mooring operations to continue safely without restricting berth access.
Safety
Parted mooring lines can travel >1200km/hr. Our systems are the only ones on the market that are validated to arrest lines travelling at that speed. This is a significant improvement in safety.
Maintenance
Maintenance downtime is a significant cost. Our barriers are easy to install, relocate and adapt to suit large or small areas. This allows operations to continue during maintenance.
Validated
The Geobrugg and Holmes full-scale testing is a first-of-its-kind and has given a unique insight into the behaviour of ruptured lines.
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Year of installation
2023
FAQ
What is the Snapback Protection System, and what exactly does it protect against?
The Snapback Protection System protects people in mooring and work areas from the risk of snapback caused by breaking mooring lines. These lines (ropes or hawsers) can reach extremely high speeds in the event of failure. Geobrugg, in collaboration with partners, has developed a full-scale dynamic testing program to validate barriers that safely stop recoiling lines.
What versions of the Snapback Protection System does Geobrugg offer?
Geobrugg offers both permanent and mobile protection systems that can be customized to suit local conditions.
Are there any standards or guidelines for snapback protection systems?
There are currently no specific standards for snapback protection structures. A PIANC working committee is currently addressing this issue. Therefore, validated, full-scale tests are particularly important.
World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure
Does Geobrugg conduct situation-specific mooring analyses for potential hazard zones?
We offer this service in collaboration with external experts. The analysis is based on a computational model. The results can be integrated into various 3D platforms.
What are the economic benefits of a Snapback Protection System?
- Serious damage to people and infrastructure is minimized, resulting in lower insurance costs.
- The ability to perform maintenance work while the vessel is moored saves on scheduled downtime.
- A single line break that leads to an accident investigation can block a berth for days. With revenue losses of up to $1 million per day, the system often pays for itself simply by preventing a single major downtime event.
When is it appropriate to use a Snapback Protection System?
- In work and transit corridors along mooring lines
- During maintenance work while ship handling operations continue
Is any remodeling required to install a Snapback Protection System?
By using modular systems—such as those mounted on mobile concrete elements—costly retrofitting can be avoided.
Why is the Snapback Protection System safer than bulletproof glass or rigid steel structures?
Research test results show that rigid steel structures often fail during high-speed impacts because the energy must be absorbed solely by the material’s strength and mass. This frequently leads to secondary hazards from splinters or complete failure of the anchors. Specially developed net systems, on the other hand, control energy absorption through a combination of elastic and plastic deformation.
How does the installation of the barrier affect the efficiency of mooring operations?
A common concern raised by port operators is the fear that physical barriers could restrict access to bollards or winches. The Geobrugg system addresses this through its lightweight construction and high transparency. Since the system is designed to stop the line within approximately 1.5 meters after impact, it can be placed very close to hazardous areas without restricting workers’ freedom of movement around the bollards. This enables continuous operation without the large-scale barriers often required by conventional methods.
Does the Snapback Protection System have to be completely replaced after every impact?
This depends on the energy of the event. Geobrugg systems are designed so that components can be replaced individually. If a visual inspection reveals no broken wires or plastic deformation of components, the system can continue to be used without further action.
What key insights were gained during the research and development of the Snapback Protection System?
The engineers’ most important finding was that conventional protective structures were often undersized because they were designed based on assumption of excessively low rebound velocities. It was only through large-scale tests conducted by Holmes Solutions that it was proven that only a system with dynamic braking elements is capable of safely absorbing the massive amounts of energy generated by an 85-metric-ton line at 60% of its breaking load.
