UNIT 45 – SMCP: BERTHING & UNBERTHING

This unit covers the standard on-board phrases used between the bridge and the deck when berthing and unberthing. It follows the IMO SMCP phrases for On-board Communications in three areas:

• Preparing to berth — propeller clear, fenders ready, berthing side, mooring to buoys, alongside or to dolphins, tension winches and heaving lines.
• Mooring lines — sending lines ashore, leads, heaving, slacking away, holding on, distances, moving ahead or astern, and making fast.
• Unberthing — stand by engines, ready to get underway, stand by for letting go, singling up, letting go, bow anchor and finished with manoeuvring stations.