Cargo and ballast safe procedure onboard merchant ship
How to Monitor cargo and ballast operation?
Cargo and ballast operation plans shall be carefully prepared and monitored on board. Such plans take the following into consideration and are verified by Superintendents during ship visits:
Port restrictions
Shipboard limits, e.g. Draft, Cargo capacity, Stability, Stresses, etc.
Loading rates (Tankers)
Responsibility for Cargo and Ballast operations lies to the ships Chief Officer. He shall be responsible for ensuring careful preparation of Cargo and Ballast operation plans and their implementation taking all relevant factors into consideration.
The Cargo and Ballast operation procedures ensure that adequate manning levels are maintained during such operation.
ILO and STCW requirements for working hours and minimum rest periods shall be complied with.
Cargo / Ballast Operation Plan
Regardless kind of merchant ships, the Cargo Operation Plan shall be prepared, taking into account, the following factors:
1) Cargo Information
2) Any restrictions
3) Ballasting / De-ballasting operations
4) Cargo Stowage
5) Trim and Draft of the vessel
6) Number of tanks that may be slack at any time (if applicable)
7) Any Bunkering and Storing operations
8) Communication systems agreed and tested before operations
Loading computer
Where a class approved loading computer is fitted onboard, testing of the system using standard conditions shall be carried out at least Every Three Months to confirm accuracy of operation. If another loading computer is in use on board, regular checks shall be made to compare computed cargo & stability results against standard conditions in the Trim & Stability Booklet to confirm accuracy of operation.
Any significant variance in results in comparison with standard conditions shall be reported to shore management for appropriate corrective action.
Hull stress
Hull stresses shall be carefully monitored during cargo and ballast operations onboard vessel. Loading computer is to be regularly updated for conditions on board.
Where possible, comparison of actual and calculated draft & trim is also to be carried out in order to obtain warning of any unplanned or unobserved deviation from plan.
Undue stresses on the hull shall be avoided and stresses shall be maintained within stipulated limits at all times.
Training for Cargo and Ballast Operations
The Master shall ensure that where practicable, Junior officers are actively involved in all phases of the preparation and execution of Cargo and Ballast operation plan with special emphasis on:
Monitoring of Hull stresses including Shearing forces, Bending moments and Torsional stresses as applicable
Safety operation against any hazards on cargo handling with using ships Manuals, safety Booklet
Cargo Loading / Discharging Plan & Verification of Cargo Line settings (For Tankers & Gas Carriers)
Guideline for reading Bay Plan and General Stowage Plan & Verification of any Special Cargo/ Containers stowage (For Container Ships)
Senior officers are encouraged to mentor their Juniors and provide them with on the Job Training in Cargo and Ballast operations.
All such on the Job Training & Development shall be documented and evaluated in the appraisal reports.
The Planned Maintenance System (PMS) includes regular inspections of all Ballast and Cargo Tank / Holds.
Mooring procedures
Un-safe mooring or Defect on mooring systems shall cause the ship unexpected parting from the berth, which may lead Causality to Human, Ship and Shore facility.
If such accidents occur on Oil Tankers, it will give rise to severe accident, including Major Oil Pollution and Fire hazard.
Related Information
Procedure for keeping record in deck log book
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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