Ships operation- Attention to stranding
Investigation of stranding
Stranding means when a vessel has run aground, it is accidental. In consequence, the double bottom area of the vessel will probably suffer considerable damage, especially if the ground is rocky. The Master of stranded ship shall first secure the safety of crew, cargo, vessel and the environment.
When the Master judges that re-floating the vessel is hopeful, re-floating by the vessel should be tried first, but the following items shall be investigated to judge the propriety of re-floating work. Investigation using divers shall be carried out in parallel if possible.
(1) Degree of Flooding, if any, and Discharging Capacity Sound each tank and bilge periodically to check for leakage and to estimate the rate of leakage. If the leakage rate exceeds the discharging capacity, external assistance is required.
(2) Collection of Basic Data The Draft, Speed, Tidal conditions (Time, Height, Direction and Speed), Quantity and arrangement of Fuel oil, Ballast water, Fresh water, and the type, quantity/ weight, and stowage conditions of Cargo onboard.
(3) Stranding Conditions Degree and Extent of the Stranding, and the Heel of the vessel.
(4) Seabed Conditions Sound the Depth around the vessel and investigate the Nature of the Seabed.
(5) Location and Degree of Damage Carry out internal inspection of tanks as far as possible
(6) Oil Leakages or Threat of Oil leakages
(7) Necessity of reinforcing water tightness, and necessary materials on hand.
Self -refloating
(1) Use of Engine and Rudder
After De-ballasting to reduce the draft as much as possible, re-floating the vessel by itself at a high tide using the engine and rudder shall be considered.
Use the Engine of the vessel after very prudent considerations since there is a possibility of expanding the damage to the machinery and hull. Check
a. Condition of the seabed around the stern and in the direction of maneuvering when clear (a survey by a lifeboat may be required);
b. Integrity of the hull and damage stability;
(2) Discharging ballast and fresh water Prepare discharging operations in such a way that completion will be just about at the high tide. If discharge is carried out too early, there is a prospect of expanding the hull damage and increasing the vessels list.
Requesting salvage
If re-floating by own means is judged to be difficult or there are doubts as to the safety of the vessel during and after the operation, external assistance shall be used. This would involve offshore unloading and/or arrangement of Tug boats. However, the contents of the agreement with salvers shall follow the Companys instructions, except in an emergency when try to use the Lloyds Open Form
Securing the vessel
If re-floating is impossible, and if it takes a very long time for salvage boats to arrive, the vessel shall try to stabilize the situation as far as possible. The following shall be considered:
a. Dropping anchors;
b. Adding ballast to stop the vessel moving in the waves or by changing tides; and
c. Temporary repairs where possible (e.g. cement boxes, wooden plugs etc.).
Response to oil leakage
In case that cargo oil or fuel oil is discharged overboard due to the stranding, take appropriate measures according to the Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan and the Emergency Procedures for Oil Pollution Accident
Cargo discharging at sea
When the vessel transfers part of her cargo to other ships or barges to reduce her draft for re-floating, the cargo survey shall be arranged as far as possible for adjustment of General Average and dealing with cargo damage accident.
In this case, keep the record of the container numbers (or part contents), stowage, etc., for accident handling in the future. Be sure to record the working process in detail.
Ballasting
When offshore unloading or jettison is carried out to reduce draft at the stranded portion of the vessel, put ballast water in tanks until just before the commencement of re-floating operation as far as possible, so that the conditions of the vessel should not change so much from those at the time when the vessel stranded.
And discharge the ballast water at a stretch when the re-floating operation is just started
Note Even if the draft is reduced by offshore unloading, the hull is sometimes buried in earth and sand around the vessel, and the local load is increased which cause the expansion of the hull damage.
Stranding in harbour
Touching the bottom of the vessel being moored alongside a pier due to the progress of cargo operation or change of tidal level does not constitute stranding according to the provisions of insurance clauses.
Related Information
Stranding handling checklist
How to request salvage contract for a stranded vessel
Handling the salvage of another ship,salvage report and towing arrangement
Requirement of towing arrangement in oil tankers, readyness, & training onboard
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Welcome Shipsbusiness.com! Our articles are based on various shipboard activities, safe operation, maintenance and onboard procedure. These procedures are only indicative, not exhaustive in nature and one must always be guided by practices of good seamanship. Based on user feedback we endeavored to summarize each article to serve the international shipping community