Ship Handling Articles

What is voyage planning, who is responsible, how do we comply with the rules and how do we utilize the features and functions available in an ECDIS? The purpose of voyage planning is to support the bridge team and ensure that the ship can be navigated safely between ports from berth to berth. A voyage plan should cover ocean, coastal and pilotage waters and according to STCW regulations be planned in advance. The voyage plan aim to establish the most favorable route while maintaining appropriate margins of safety and safe passing distances offshore.

The following factors are amongst those that should be taken into account:

• - The marine environment
• - The adequacy and reliability of charted hydrographic data along the route
• - The availability and reliability of navigation aids, coastal marks, lights and radar conspicuous targets for position fixing along the route
• - The type of cargo can influence route selection
• - Any routing constraints imposed by the ship, e.g. draught, type of cargo, etc.
• - If possible, avoid areas with dense traffic
• - Take into account weather forecasts, current, tide, wind, swell and visibility conditions
• - If possible, avoid areas with onshore set or areas where onshore set can be expected
• - Whenever possible, follow traffic separation schemes and follow ship reporting procedures
• - Check technical systems before departure and if possible, take into account previous experience of their reliability
• Take into account your own experience with the planned route and type of ship.

There are four main stages in the planning of a safe voyage:

• - Appraisal, i.e. the collection of information and validation of all relevant information;
• - Planning, i.e. the presentation of the raw data -into information and the strategy to be used;
• - The execution of tracking, voyage and communication control;
• - Monitoring, i.e. ensuring that the voyage plan is being followed.

Cargo operations are probably the most important ship operations. They vary enormously from petrochemicals where the discharge is controlled by the ship’s officers to containerships where the discharge and loading is organized and largely carried out by the shore stuff. From your training and experience you will know the requirements of your own ship’s cargo operations but, whatever the cargo, many of the principles remain the same.

Prompt and accurate reporting of any damage must be done within twenty-four hours. Cargo condition, speed of loading or discharging, any delay in operations all can have commercial consequences. The chief officer will know what is critical in your cargo operations and you should discuss the procedures with him. Much of the time cargo operations proceed according to pre-determined plan. It is when the unexpected occurs that the skill of the deck officer is really tested. By responding in the right way you can make a big difference to the commercial performance of your ship.

Make sure you know what can go wrong, what to do and whom to contact if it does. Good situational awareness is the basis for any effective response. Make sure you know what is going on at all times in port. This means being on deck most of the time, keeping your eyes open and communicating with the terminal staff. This will also help with another major task – making sure that the ship is safe.

Current, tide and the cargo operations can all move the ship in relation to the shore if the mooring ropes are slack. The ropes need to be checked regularly for tautness. If your ship has self-tensioning winches, these are best left on the brake and not left in tension once the ship is secured alongside. In an emergency, never release the brakes and attempt to pull a ship back alongside using the power of the winches alone. You must know the ship’s mooring equipment and be familiar with its operation and capabilities including the type of winch and brake, the size, type and length of lines.

Make sure you are aware of the tidal changes and keep an eye on a weather forecast. Sudden changes can have a big impact on cargo operations and additional mooring arrangements may be needed. Be aware of nearby ship movements, check the lines after any ship has arrived or left the next berth.