Preparation for cargo operations
Effective means of communication are to be established between the ship's deck officers and the cargo terminal which shall remain effective throughout the cargo operation. This communication link should establish:
i) An agreed procedure to STOP cargo operations.
ii) Personnel responsible for terminal cargo operations.
iii) The ship's officer responsible for the cargo loading/unloading plan and the officer in charge responsible for the on deck cargo operation.
iv) Confirmation of information received in advance.
v) An agreed procedure for the terminal to provide the officer in charge with the loaded cargo weight, at frequent intervals and at the end of each pour.
vi) An agreed procedure for draught checking.
vii) The reporting of any damage to the ship from the cargo operations.
The ship's officer responsible for the cargo operation plan should submit the proposed loading/unloading plan to the cargo terminal representative at the earliest opportunity to allow sufficient time for any subsequent modifications and to enable the terminal to prepare accordingly. The ship's officers should be familiar with the IMO Ship/Shore Safety Checklist.
From 1st July 1998, it become mandatory by SOLAS Convention :
1) the plan, and any subsequent amendments thereto, shall be lodged with the appropriate authority of the port state,
2) the ship's Master and the terminal representative shall ensure that the cargo operations are conducted in accordance with the agreed plan.
Before Commencing Cargo Operations
The cargo terminal should not commence any cargo operations until the loading/unloading plan and all relevant procedures have been agreed and the ship's Master has, where necessary, received a Certificate of Readiness issued by the respective maritime authorities.
Prior to the commencement of cargo loading operations, it should be determined that:
i) no structural damage exists. Any such damage is to be reported to the respective classification society and cargo operations are not to be undertaken.
ii) the bilge and ballast systems are in satisfactory working condition.
Lack of effective ship/shore communication
The lack of effective ship/shore communication may increase the risk of inadvertent overloading of the ship's structure. It is important that there is an agreed procedure between the ship's officers and the terminal operators to STOP cargo operations. The communication link established between the ship and the terminal should be maintained throughout the cargo operation.
Our detail pages illustrated many safety aspects of Bulk carrier
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