What is Chief Officer Instruction for Cargo Operation on Ships ?

All officers to read and sign the relevant loading / discharging plan. Any doubts should be clarified immediately.

1. Relieving officer shall take rounds on deck prior taking over watch. He shall personally check gangway/moorings and make sure that only one door to the accommodation is open at all times. Handing over / Taking over of watches and conduct during watches in port to be in strict compliance with relevant Checklist.
2. The duty officer is to ensure that the vessel is complying with International and Port regulations and company guidelines as laid down in the SMS Manuals and Circulars. Should the duty officer have any doubts regarding any aspect, he is to bring same to the notice of Chief Officer/ Master immediately.
3. Hand lead soundings around the ship to be taken as soon as practicable after berthing, if deemed necessary due to low UKC expected during any stage of loading / discharging. The duty officer to be aware of the air draft limitations and available and minimum required UKC at all times.
4. Duty officers should note drafts fwd, aft and amidships along with density of dock water prior commencement of loading or discharging, and same to be reflected in the port and deck log book and brought to the notice of the relieving officer. Frequent draft checks to be made also during loading / discharging to cross check loading / discharging sequence and final trimming prior sailing. Drafts should be checked at the beginning and end of every watch and same to be entered in the Log Book.
5. In case of berths where vessels pass by causing the vessel to surge forward and aft, the duty officer and the duty AB to be standby at moorings and gangway, and if required ask for additional help. Further moorings to be ensured tight at all times.
6. Method of contacting shore authorities for emergency / assistance, such as telephone numbers, VHF channels on which continuous watch maintained is to be obtained from Agents/Stevedores and posted in Deck Office. VHF should always be on low power when loading /discharging.
7. The weather reports from Sat-C / NAVTEX to be read, and any adverse weather predictions for the Port area to be brought to the notice of Master/Chief Officer immediately. Extra Moorings to be put out as deemed necessary.
8. 50% crew to be on board at all times the vessel is in port. Record of crew members going ashore should be maintained in the gangway log and the duty officer shall remain informed of the same. Any discrepancy in the matter shall be brought to the notice of the chief officer immediately.
9. Port watch keeping timings shall be adhered to at all times. Watch keepers shall be sufficiently rested prior taking over watch.
10. As a standing instruction shore leave expires 3 hours before completion of cargo operations. The following timings shall be relaxed if the vessel is scheduled to be alongside even after completion of cargo operations to meet tide/daylight sailing restrictions. Ship’s staff to be accounted for at the time of expiry of shore leave and same shall be brought to the notice of the master if any member is found having not returned.
11. Shore leave shall be restricted in view of any impending surveys, inspections, receiving of stores or any other special operations.
12. Duty officers and the deck hands on duty shall strictly adhere to the company’s alcohol policy.
13. Gangway/Visitor’s log shall be signed by the officer on watch at the end of his watch.
14. Any difficulty in dealing with shore personnel, loading master, surveyor, agent or shore security personnel shall be brought to the notice of master immediately.
15. Any letter of protest received from terminal, port, surveyor or the agent shall be only signed by the master after making the necessary remarks.
16. Shore leave passes/any remaining telephone cards with money shall be collected and kept ready when signing cargo documents to be given to the agent/immigration authorities.

GANGWAY AND MOORINGS: