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Ships arrival in ports - check items prior entry

A ship's arrival manoeuvering at the port is a critical part of her voyage, and there needs some careful planning while approaching. Failure in carrying out the appropriate procedures might lead to disaster. Due to unsafe navigational practice, many accidents happen each year, causing loss of life and damage to property and environment. To avoid catastrophic events while entering a port limit, any prudent navigator, therefore, needs to make arrangements and some essential preparation.



containerships operational matters
Oil Tanker Safety Guide
The procedures highlighted below are for general guidance. These are only indicative, not exhaustive, and must always be guided by practices of good seamanship.
  1. Considered port/passage information and weather/tidal conditions
  2. Adjusting draft and trim (considering restrictions at arrival port)
  3. Reporting arrival information (ETA, VTS, JASREP, AMVER, AUSREP, etc)
  4. Confirmation of berth information (which side to alongside pier, gangway, mooring lines, manifold size, etc)
  5. Parallel operation of steering gear power units
  6. Testing of steering as per SOLAS V/26 (enter in logbook)
  7. Marking (port/voy no/ships time) and adjustment (chart speed/depth etc) of course recorder / echo sounder and confirmation of recording paper
  8. Communication tests between Bridge and Steering Gear Room
  9. Tests of main engine ahead and astern (entry in logbook)
  10. Working tests of bow thruster if fitted (bridge & wing controls)
  11. Confirmation and necessary adjustment of nautical instruments(Radar, ARPA(mapping etc), GPS, Log, AIS etc)
  12. Confirmation of synchronizing between repeaters and master compass
  13. Confirmation of indication and illumination of magnetic compass
  14. Synchronization of ships clocks, including with E/R
  15. Confirmation of record paper and time adjustment of engine telegraph logger
  16. Confirmation of correct VHF channel in use
  17. Preparation of lights, shapes, flags, etc. Confirmation of daytime signal light (Aldis Lamp)
  18. Preparation of pilot card and master pilot information exchange and bell book
  19. Indication of tides, times of sunrise and sunset, and draft

    Anchor & mooring deck
    Fig: Anchor & mooring deck

  20. Preparation of pilot ladder
  21. Anchors are in a state of readiness (complying with port/terminal requirements)
  22. Confirmation of preparation & operation of mooring winches and windlass (Including remote operation system if fitted) & communication with stations
  23. Confirmation of safety of working circumstances, and readiness of cargo work equipment
  24. Port Security & Contact information confirmed and prepared as per the SSP
  25. Master shall have a meeting with Pilot about passage plan

Go/No Go Situation

Prior to port departure, or port entrance, the Master must decide whether the vessel is a ‘go’ or ‘no go’ situation. Making this decision, involves assessing the risks including:- Examples of No-Go Situation include:-
  1. Critical Equipment or Machinery not working.
  2. Vessel un-seaworthy
  3. Adverse weather conditions where the safety of the crew, vessel or cargo would be at risk.
The office is to be advised in the event of a 'no go' situation.


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ShipsBusiness.com is merely an informational site about various aspects of ships operation,maintenance procedure, prevention of pollution and many safety guideline. The procedures explained here are only indicative, not exhaustive in nature and one must always be guided by practices of good seamanship.

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