Stability

• Security Level 1

  Means the level for which minimum appropriate protective security measures shall be maintained at all times (Risk - Normal security measure)
• Security Level 2


  Means the level for which appropriate additional protective security measures shall be maintained for a period of time as a result of heightened risk of a security incident (heightened security threat)
• Security Level 3


  Means the level for which further specific protective security measures shall be maintained for a limited period of time when a security incident is probable or imminent, although it may not be possible to identify the specific target (Exceptional threat)
• Duties of Officer of the Watch at Security Level 1


  • Control and monitor access to the vessel
  • Ensure gangway watch is being performed as per Ship's Security Plan
  • Ensure checking of identity of persons boarding by watchman
  • Ensure baggage checks are performed as required by watchman
  • Watchman to keep record of persons on board, be aware of persons expected as notified
  • Ensure stores deliveries are expected and as per notification
  • Ensure restricted areas are secured, visually check locks and seals on rounds
  • Keep lookout for vessels attempting to come alongside
  • Be aware of communications with PFSO
  • Prevent pilferage
• Additional duties if Security Level is raised to Level 2


  • Check SSP for increased measures and consult with Ship's Security Officer
  • Brief watchman on increased security precautions, checking ALL identity and searching more visitors
  • Post offshore lookout if required
  • Search restricted areas and check locks/seals
  • Increase frequency of rounds
  • Check cargo prior to loading
  • Search all baggage ashore
  • Stores to be checked ashore before loading
• Document to be consulted for procedures at different Security Levels

  Ship's Security Plan
• Duties of Officer of the Watch during anchor watch


  • Control and monitor access to the vessel
  • Check communications with all watch keepers and patrols is maintained at regular intervals
  • Brief crew on aspects of the Ship's Security Plan and threat assessment
  • Ensure restricted areas secured, visually check locks and seals on rounds
  • Keep lookout for vessels attempting to come alongside
  • Ensure enhanced over side lighting is switched on and working
  • Communicate with Bridge watch keepers and lookouts
  • Make sure access prevention devices are in place
• Actions to be taken by Officer of the Watch if vessel is attacked

  • Raise alarm
  • Attempt to prevent boarding
  • Evacuate crew to citadel or secure area if boarded
  • Ensure Ship's Security Alert System activated
• • Early detection of potential attacks is key
  • Secure greatest level of safety for those on board the ship
  • Seek to ensure crew remain in control of navigation
• Duties of Officer of the Watch during cargo loading


  • Monitor the cargo operation to make sure it is proceeding as planned and detailed in the checklist and loading plan
  • Be aware of communication method specified in the ship/shore checklist, and terminal contact
  • Monitor the deballasting operations against the plan, sound ballast tanks to verify contents and deballast rate
  • Make sure that no damage or stress is caused by cargo loading operations and cargo is trimmed as agreed in the checklist
  • Ensure checklist items requiring re-checking are completed
  • Check draughts at the end of each pour and agree cargo figures with terminal
  • Ensure sheer force and bending moments are not exceeded
  • OOW should remain especially vigilant where cargoes are sensitive to water damage regarding suspending operations in rain
  • Monitor under keel clearance, trim as per loading plan
  • Maintain safe movement and access
  • Keep vessel safely moored
• Publications/documents to be consulted for cargo information

  • Shipper's declarations
  • International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargo Code (IMSBC)

  
• Initial actions to be taken by Officer of the Watch if seafarer falls overboard

  • Raise the alarm
  • Throw a lifebuoy to the person, or close by to mark the position
  • Consider putting an embarkation ladder down near the person if possible
  • Prepare the rescue boat
  • If there are small vessels nearby, signal to them to assist
  • Update the Master on the situation
• Information to be included in vessel's loading plan


  • Vessel name, port, date, voyage number, version number of plan
  • Maximum arrival and sailing draught, ballast pumping capacity, hold capacities and grades to load
  • Last cargo and hold preparation
  • Cargo information – Bulk Cargo Shipping Name, category, stowage factor, angle of repose
  • Berth information – max draught available at high and low water, dock water density, maximum air draught at berth, number of loaders and rate
  • Pour information – hold order, tonnages, rate of loading, deballasting operation, time required, calculated values for draught, trim, shear force, bending moments and air draught for end of pour
  • Pauses for draught surveys
  • Amount of cargo held for final trimming

  
• Duties of Officer of the Watch prior to loading general cargo

  • Risk Assessment and safe job analysis must be carried out prior to loading operations
  • Crew must be briefed about the cargo plan
  • Hatch covers opened and ensure access is clear
  • Dismantle permanent dunnage like spar ceiling
  • Ensure Hold is thoroughly swept and no residues
  • Ensure bilge suction pipe is properly covered
  • Place shifting boards and longitudinal or transverse divisions to avoid cargo shift
  • Ensure fire-fighting equipment is working and warning signals posted
  • Ensure venting arrangements are checked
  • Ensure adequate lighting and safe access for entry
  • If cargo needs temperature monitoring, tubes for inserting thermometers to be rigged
• Duties of Officer of the Watch during loading general cargo

  • Ensure crew in appropriate PPE personal protective equipment
  • Ensure the vessel is securely moored
  • Check draft marks at regular intervals
  • Ensure no smoking regulations imposed
  • Ensure ISPS watch at the gangway is maintained
  • Ensure cargo is loaded as per cargo plan
  • Ensure cargo is lashed as per cargo securing manual
  • Ensure timber is evenly distributed to avoid stress and lashed for all weather conditions
  • Ensure cargo does not restrict access to lifebuoys, fire-fighting equipment and pilot boarding area
  • Regular Deck rounds to watch for pilferage
• Pre-operation checks on crane for heavy lift


  • Planned maintenance and certification up to date
  • Condition of wires visually inspected
  • Loose gear visually inspected and weights allowed for in calculation
  • Operational test of crane controls
  • Check limit switches and alarms operational
  • Windows cleaned and good visibility ensured
• Procedures and precautions prior to loading a heavy lift

  • Unauthorised personnel sent ashore. Inform head of all departments before lift commences
  • Ensure the stability of the vessel is adequate and maximum heel is acceptable
  • Eliminate FSE
  • Preferably a large GM available since a rise in CoG is going to occur
  • Check ships data to ensure deck is strong enough to support load (Deck Load Capacity Plan)
  • Check condition of lifting plant ensuring all moving parts move freely
  • Rig fenders
  • Gangway up, if applicable
  • Moorings taut with men on standby. There may be a need for slack moorings
  • Cast off all barges
  • Unauthorised personnel sent ashore
  • Inform HOD's before lift commences
  • Confirm the deck is strong enough to support the load
  • Deck landing area clear and dunnaged
  • Competent crane driver
  • One person only giving directions, at all times
  • Ensure sufficient generated power for crane, winches etc.
  • Set secure steadying lines to the load
  • Crane head to be plumb over the weight at all times
  • Plan cargo securing from the CSM
• Document to check for lifting gear maintenance and inspection

  Register of Lifting Appliances
• Requirements and procedures for guarding of openings

  • Any opening, open hatchway or dangerous edge into, through or over which a person may fall should be fitted with secure guards or fencing of adequate design and construction
  • Hatchways that are open for handling cargo or stores, through which persons may fall or on which they may trip, should be closed as soon as work stops, except during short interruptions or where they cannot be closed without prejudice to safety or mechanical efficiency because of the heel or trim of the ship
  • The guardrails or fencing should have no sharp edges and should be properly maintained
  • Where necessary, locking devices and suitable stops or toe-boards should be provided
  • Each course of rails should be kept substantially horizontal and taut throughout their length
  • Guardrails or fencing should consist of an upper rail at a height of 1 metre and an intermediate rail at a height of 0.5 metres, of taut wire or taut chain
  • Guards do not have to be fitted during short interruptions in the work, although warning signs should be displayed where the opening is a risk to other persons
• Competent person


  Someone who has sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other qualities that allow them to carry out the work in hand effectively and safely. The level of competence required will depend on the complexity of the situation and the particular work involved.
• Dangerous space


  Any enclosed or confined space in which it is foreseeable that the atmosphere may at some stage contain toxic or flammable gases or vapours, or be deficient in oxygen, to the extent that it may endanger the life or health of any person entering that space
• Risk assessment

  The risk assessment process identifies hazards present in a work undertaking, analyses the level of risk, considers those in danger and evaluates whether hazards are adequately controlled, taking into account any measures already in place.
• Hazard


  A source of potential injury, harm or damage. It may come from many sources, e.g. situations, the environment or a human element.
• Risk


  Has two elements: the likelihood that harm or damage may occur, and the potential severity of the harm or damage.
• Authorised officer


  A person designated and authorised for the purposes of issuing and closing permits to work under the safety management system. An authorised officer means a person authorised to permit entry into an enclosed space and with sufficient knowledge of control and elimination of hazards, and of the procedures to be established and complied with on board, to be able to ensure that the space is safe for entry.
• Rescue equipment at entrance to dangerous (enclosed) space

  • Appropriate breathing apparatus, with fully charged spare cylinders of air
  • Lifelines and rescue harnesses
  • Torches or a lamp (approved for use in a flammable atmosphere, if appropriate)
  • A means of hoisting an incapacitated person from the confined space, if appropriate
  • Resuscitator and first aid equipment
• Compliance with the ISM Code complements compliance with existing health and safety regulations and use of the guidance in the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers.
• MSN


  Merchant Shipping Notice - contain information and guidance on maritime matters
• Equipment required for confined space entry

  • Appropriate breathing apparatus, with fully charged spare cylinders of air
  • Lifelines and rescue harnesses
  • Torches or a lamp (approved for use in a flammable atmosphere, if appropriate)
  • A means of hoisting an incapacitated person from the confined space, if appropriate
  • Resuscitator and first aid equipment
• Compliance with the ISM Code complements compliance with existing health and safety regulations and use of the guidance in this Code
• The ISM Code requires that the Company's Safety Management System should "ensure that applicable codes, guidelines and standards recommended by the Administration" are taken into account. This Code is one such "applicable code", and an ISM audit may consider how the guidance it contains has been implemented
• MSN


  Merchant Shipping Notice
• M + F


  M refers to Merchant shipping, F refers to fishing vessels
• MSNs contain the technical detail of regulations called 'statutory instruments' (SIs). This is mandatory information, and must be complied with under UK legislation
• M notices should be up to date and all relevant to the trade of the ship should be carried
• Permit to work

  An organised and predefined safety procedure. A permit to work does not in itself make the job safe, but contributes to measures for safe working. Permits to work are formal records to confirm that control measures are in place when particular operations are being carried out
• Principles for using a permit to work

  • The permit should be relevant and as accurate as possible
  • State the location and details of the work to be done
  • Nature and results of any preliminary tests undertaken
  • Measures undertaken to make the job safe and the safeguards that need to be taken during the operation
  • Specify the period of its validity (which should not exceed 24 hours) and any time limits
  • Only the work specified on the permit should be undertaken
  • Before signing the permit, the authorising officer should ensure that all measures specified as necessary have in fact been taken
  • Authorising officer retains responsibility for the work until he has either cancelled the permit or formally transferred it to another authorised person who is fully conversant with the situation and should sign the permit to indicate transfer of full responsibility
  • Competent person responsible for carrying out the specified work should countersign the permit to indicate their understanding of the safety precautions to be observed
  • On completion of the work, the competent person should notify the authorised officer and get the permit closed
  • The competent person carrying out the specified work should not be the same person as the authorised officer
• Maximum period of validity of a permit to work is 24 hours
• Emergency Escape Breathing Device (EEBD)


  A supplied air or oxygen device only used for escape from a compartment that has a hazardous atmosphere and shall be of an approved type
• Objectives of the ISM Code

  • Ensure Safety at Sea
  • To prevent human injury or loss of life
  • To avoid damage to the environment (the marine environment) and to the ship