Can data‑driven design make mooring operations safer than the rule‑book ever imagined?
Senior Structural & Maritime Engineer Jordan Butler (WGA) explains how 20 terabytes of snapback simulations are rewriting global standards—and why engineers must look beyond compliance to manage real‑world risk.
Guest bio: Jordan chairs PIANC Working Group 251, leading the creation of international guidelines for snapback arresting systems. He combines hands‑on design with cutting‑edge computational modelling of mooring‑line failure at ports worldwide.
Episode guide
00:00 Intro – the hidden danger of snapback
01:28 How the “10° cone” became gospel
08:00 What is snapback analysis?
11:25 Conditions that trigger failure
14:17 Early guidance vs today’s standards
18:50 The Zagar incident (case study)
20:48 Building a 20 TB simulation pipeline
25:26 Site‑specific zoning vs blanket MEG‑4 rules
35:42 Engineering beyond the code
40:00 Key take‑aways
Links & resources
• Jordan on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbutlerengineering/
• Video: Dangers of Mooring Line Snapback – https://youtu.be/AHMdYf7XL14
• Demo: Snap Back Arrestor by TIMM Ropes – https://youtu.be/ULmn6tJO7Lk
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Credits
Podcast Studio - https://www.instagram.com/nevverlandstudios/Editor - Austin Grader - https://nevverlandstudios.com/