Heavy Weather Management

With heavy weather pending, it would be prudent to secure the ship overall but specifically in the areas of Stability, Cargo, Navigation and the Deck.

Stability

→ Improve the ‘GM’ and remove any free surface effects if possible.

→ Ballast the vessel down and make the ship as heavy as possible.

→ Inspect and check the uppermost deck for watertight integrity.

→ close all watertight doors throughout the vessel and

→ pump out any swimming pool.

Cargo

→ Check all cargo lashings and harden up on any slack securing. Pay particular attention to any heavy lift cargoes and add additional lashings if appropriate.

→ Thoroughly inspect the securing on deck cargoes and take up any slack on these.

Navigation

→ Consider re-routing the vessel in consultation with the ship’s Master.

→ Verify the ship’s position, update the weather forecast and plot the position of the storm. Pass the position to a shoreside representative and revise the ETA.

→ Engage manual steering in ample time and reduce speed to prevent the vessel experiencing effects from pounding.

→ Secure the navigation bridge against heavy rolling.

Deck

→ Rig lifelines fore and aft to ensure that access is not denied to any part of the vessel.

→ Check securing on the gangways, anchors, survival craft and lifting appliances. Weather doors and ventilation systems should all be closed up if appropriate.

→ Clear the decks of all surplus gear and reduce deck working to a minimum by operating an internal work schedule.

→ Warn all ‘Heads of Departments’ of the impending weather.

→ Note all preparations in the log book.