Line handlers describe dock drama

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 19: Line handlers are using extra ropes to secure cruise liners in Dockyard in the wake of last week’s accident.

A small team of men is responsible for hauling the huge lines used to attach ships to the dock when they arrive in the West End.

And they say they have been asked to secure more lines on the incoming ships since the Norwegian Star broke away from her moorings on Friday as winds of more than 70 knots hit the Heritage Wharf.

The line handlers were among the first on the scene after the Star’s lines snapped and they worked tirelessly with others to haul back around 7,000 feet in rope onto the dock.

Dock Master Willy Freeman was amongst the first to arrive at the Heritage Wharf after the Norwegian Star had broke free.

Mr Freeman told the Bermuda Sun: “It’s the first time in six years that I have seen anything like that happen up here at Dockyard.

“We literally had to pull in 7,000ft of rope from the water. It seems that four of five of the lines had snapped, while the rest had been released by the ship.

“But we had to bring them all back on to the dockside. It was real hard work and it wasn’t made easier as the rope was heavy and wet.”

Mr Freeman dismissed some comments that appeared on websites that the mooring lines on the ship were old.

He said: “There’s been a lot of rubbish talked since it happened.

“We see the ropes of cruise ships every day and there was nothing wrong with the ones on the Norwegian Star.

“It was attached with 14 lines in total and that is perfectly normal for the conditions when she came in. These are incredibly strong Samson Amsteel rope lines.

“It’s just that this squall came out of nowhere and hit us with 76 knot winds and that was too much.

“It was just a freak bit of weather.”

Fellow line handler, Earl Simons, added: “I heard about what was happening down at Dockyard from a Pastor so I got down there as quickly as I could.

“Everyone was working together as there was a huge amount of line to bring up.

“The weather was unbelievable. I have never seen anything like it.”