Had a near-miss in zero viz in the Houston ship channel that made me rethink my umbilical management.

I always kept it coiled on deck until needed, but a sudden current shift almost caused a major snag. Should we be pre-flaking the hose in a pattern on deck, or is that just creating a different trip hazard?

3 comments

3 Comments

ivan7741mo agoMost Upvoted

Coiling it is asking for trouble. That near-miss is the proof. Pre-flaking in a clear pattern, maybe a big S shape on a clean deck section, gives you way more control. You can pay it out smooth without fighting a tangled mess. A neat layout is a known hazard you can work around, a coiled snake can jump up and bite you when you least expect it.

grant4781mo ago

That near-miss sounds like a layout problem, not a coiling problem. A pre-flaked hose is just a flat trip wire waiting for someone to catch a boot. A tight, secure coil stays put until you need it, and you can pay it out in a controlled manner if you do it right. A big S pattern on a busy deck gets walked on, covered in grease, and becomes a mess anyway. Sometimes keeping it simple and contained is the safer bet.

nathan1001mo ago

Watch you two fight over hose storage like it's a cage match. I'm just here for the drama!