Hatch cover operations are frequently carried out on board container ships, but due care is necessary to prevent damage by incorrect operation. Most cellular container vessels have a lift on / lift-off type hatch covers, and these are operated by shore cranes.
Before opening hatch covers, it must be ensured that all securing including Hatch cleats, Jumping stoppers, King bolts, etc. are cleared and that no obstructions are present.
Before placing hatch covers back, it must be ensured that no obstructions in the form of loose gear, damaged plating, etc. are present, and coamings are clear. Cargo watch personnel must be present on-site when opening/closing hatch covers to ensure above.
Vessels operation manual or manufacturers instructions must be consulted for information on correct stowage of hatch covers. There may be procedures, restrictions or limitations for stowing hatch covers one on top of the other, and these must be correctly followed.
After closing hatch covers, they must be secured with Hatch cleats, Jumping stoppers, King bolts, or applicable devices to prevent movement at sea.
On some vessels where a container spans Across Two Hatch covers, special care is required as such containers are subject to high stresses due to motion of the hatch covers in a seaway.
These hatch covers shall be particularly well secured, and any special arrangements (like Different Base Twist Locks, etc.) complied with to prevent damage to containers.
fig 1: Handling of hatch covers
An efficient watch must be maintained whenever hatch covers are being removed or replaced. A responsible member of the ship's staff must check that all hatch securing cleats are released before any protection is removed. Any hatch cover is appropriately secured with all the cleats before containers are loaded on it. All hatchways must be checked before any cover is replaced to ensure the hatch trackway is free from lashing equipment.
Projections On The Vessel :
The Master and Officers should be well aware of any projections on their vessel (such as antenna on the monkey island), which may come into contact with gantries being moved during cargo operations. Care must be taken to keep the vessel upright so that a list does not increase the risk of contact. Close attention must be paid to the gangway or accommodation ladder to prevent damage by moving gantries.
Summarized below are some basic container transport procedures. These procedures are only indicative, not exhaustive in nature and one must always be guided by practices of good seamanship.
Safe cargo stowage and planning When considering acceptability of a container cargo stowage plan, some basic check items, procedures / guidelines concerning cargo stowage shall be taken into account . Read
more...
On Arrival Port, Prior Commencing Cargo Operation
1) The composition of cargo watch personnel shall be decided and duties well understood.
2) All personnel involved in the cargo watch shall be briefed regarding the expected operations and provided with a Cargo Discharge Plan
. Read more...
Guidelines and procedures concerning containership hull strength & stability When considering acceptability of a container cargo stowage plan, the following procedures/guidelines concerning hull strength & stability shall be taken into account:
a) Draft, Trim and Heel Draft restrictions at berth, approaches, passage and next port shall be taken into consideration and vessels maximum draft must be maintained within the applicable restriction. Read more...
Procedures for reefer cargo handling
Reefer containers require special care after they are loaded on board ship. These containers need to be supplied with power, monitored closely for proper function and repaired as required in case of malfunction. Read more...
Containership operation: 2 in 1 (Two in One) Loading
The term 2 in 1 operation is normally used when two 20feet units are loaded in one 40feet bay underdeck. When such loading operation is being conducted, it must be ensured that the terminal staff is aware of the vessels lashing system. Read more...
Containership operation: Cargo lashing
Regular inspection and maintenance of ships cargo securing devices must be carried out. These would include routine visual examination of components being utilized, lubrication of securing devices, repair of damaged securing devices and separating out and rejecting damaged/unusable securing devices. Read more...
Containership Cargo securing When containers are carried on deck, the ship is required to be approved for that purpose and the containers themselves are secured with twistlocks and lashings. These usually consist of steel rods and turnbuckles. Read more...
Containership Cargo hold ventilation
Cargo holds of container ships are fitted with two basic types of ventilation systems, namely natural and mechanical. Mechanical ventilation could be of either the supply or the exhaust type.
Read more...
Safety navigation for container ships While planning the passage for intended voyage the safety of navigation should be accommodated in, where it is both reasonable and possible to do so, Read more...
Containership operation: Safety of personnel On board containerships there are several potential safety hazards in the cargo working area and these will have to be identified, made safe and monitored to ensure continued safety. Read more...
Containership operation: hull damage stevedores In case a third party including stevedores is responsible for an accident caused by work, such as Cargo handling, Bunkering, or Loading ships stores or the like, the Master shall handle the accident with appropriate steps to claim for damages. Read more...
Containership Navigation : Ships motion in a seaway Ships are affected by movement in six degrees of freedom; rolling, pitching, heaving, swaying, surging and yawing. Of these, rolling, pitching and heaving generate the highest forces during heavy weather.
Read more...
Container stacks being too heavy and too high overall, exposing the lower containers to excessive transverse racking and compressive forces due to the tipping effect. Read more...
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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. User feedback is
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