Responsibility of the Cargo Watch Officers

During STS operations at anchor where the other vessel is at anchor, it is incumbent upon them to maintain a watch, but the Master must discuss the matter with the Master of the other vessel to ensure that a watch and lookout is being maintained. If he is in any doubt about the intentions of the other vessel he should post a lookout.

The Master must ensure that:

• All Deck Officers and ratings have received familiarisation training on the cargo equipment to the extent required by their duties;

• The Chief Officer fully understands his role as the officer in charge of cargo operations, and that he is competent to carry out that role;

• The Chief Officer has completed his own Standing Orders for cargo operations on the company form Chief Officer's Standing Orders, and that the orders comply with company requirements;

• All Deck Officers have read and understood the company procedures;

• All Deck Officers are familiar with ISGOTT, at least to the extent that they are aware of how to access the publication for information and guidance;

• That all officers clearly understand their duties, in particular to the safe completion of operations and the prevention of pollution.

A continuous watch of the tank deck and the area surrounding the vessel must be maintained and a Deck Officer must be on duty whilst cargo, ballast, or tank cleaning operations are taking place.

7.3 Responsibility of the Chief Officer

The Chief Officer is responsible to the Master for the planning and control of all cargo, ballast and tank cleaning operations, and for ensuring that cargo operations are carried out in accordance with company procedures, with particular attention being paid to safe operations and the prevention of pollution.

The Chief Officer is also responsible for:

• The accurate measurement and recording of all cargo quantities;

• Ensuring that all official and company records are fully and accurately completed;

• Ensuring that all checks, tests and maintenance of equipment is carried out in accordance with company requirements;

• Ensuring that all cargo equipment is in good order, and if not, that the matter is brought to the immediate attention of the Master and the company;

• Ensuring that whenever a tank aperture is opened, the packing is carefully inspected for any signs of damage. If there is any doubt as to the watertight or vapour integrity of the aperture then remedial action must be immediately taken, including the replacement of packing if necessary. Temporary solutions such as the use of silicon sealer must be avoided, although occasionally silicon is used as an additional precaution for particularly sensitive cargoes.

The Chief Officer is to ensure that all cargo equipment identified on the form CCR22- List of Key Equipment in the CCR Information File is maintained at all times in good working order. If any piece of equipment on the List of Key Equipment should fail the matter should be treated as urgent and discussed with the company.

7.4 Responsibility of the Cargo Watch Officers

All Deck Officers must be familiar with the company procedures with respect to cargo operations, and must be fully conversant with all the cargo equipment which they are required to operate during a cargo watch. Deck Officers must understand that they have sole responsibility for the

management of the cargo operation whilst the Chief Officer is absent, and that the prevention of pollution is of the utmost importance.

Deck Officers must be familiar with, and must be ready to immediately refer to, industry publications such as ISGOTT, the ICS Tanker Safety Guide (Chemicals) the IBC Code, as applicable, and associated other industry publications.

7.4.1 Taking over the Cargo Watch

Officers in charge of a deck watch shall not hand over the watch to their relieving officer if they have any reason to believe the latter is not capable of carrying out their duties effectively, in which case the Master shall be advised. Officers of the Watch shall ensure that all members of their watch are capable of carrying out their duties.

If any important activity is taking place at the time of handing over the watch, it shall be concluded by the officer to be relieved before passing the watch to another.

Prior to taking over the watch, the relieving officer shall ensure that he is fully familiar with the following, as necessary:

• They fully understand the cargo plan, have reviewed any amendments to it, and that they are confident that its requirements are currently being followed;

• The current situation with respect to the cargo, ballast or tank cleaning operations that are taking place;

• That all gauge read-outs such as ullages, pressures, revolutions and temperatures are as they should be;

• The Chief Officer’s Orders, and that they have been signed as read and understood;

• The method of communicating with shore personnel including port authorities in the event of an emergency or assistance required;

• The depth of water at the berth, the current draft and the time and height of high and low water;

• The arrangement of the moorings;

• The state of main engines and their readiness for use in emergencies;

• The number of crew on board and the presence of other persons on board;

• Any special port regulations and the procedures for notifying the appropriate authority in the event of environmental pollution; and

• Any other circumstances of importance relative to the safety of the crew, ship, pollution prevention or cargo.

7.4.2 Performing the Cargo Watch

It is the responsibility of the Chief Officer to ensure that watch officers understand their duties during cargo operations, and that they adhere to company requirements.

The officer in charge of the deck watch holds considerable responsibility whilst in charge of the cargo watch, and it is their duty to ensure that the safety of life, the vessel, the terminal and the environment are not in any way compromised.

Regular inspections of the external deck area must be conducted during the watch to ensure continued compliance with the requirements of CCR83 - Ship to Shore Safety Check List. It is not satisfactory practice to rely solely on the deck watch and remain in the Cargo Control Room.

However, the management of the cargo operation takes priority and the Cargo Control Room should not be left unattended at critical periods.

Whilst on watch Deck Officers must be dressed in suitable personal protective equipment to enable instant response to an emergency.

During the watch, the Officer on Duty is required to ensure that:

With respect to basic watchkeeping:

• An effective deck watch is maintained to address cargo, pollution prevention and security matters. The deck watch must be adequately briefed as to their duties, and should be monitored and advised as necessary, including:

• Maintaining a security watch, that a gangway watch is maintained, and that personnel boarding the vessel comply with company requirements with respect to lighters, matches, electronic equipment and presenting ID;

• Assisting in cargo operations;

• Making rounds;

• Monitoring cargo operations, including pipework for signs of leakage;

• Tending moorings;

• Pollution prevention;

• Keeping a look-out for other passing vessels, warning the Deck Officer, and tending moorings if the vessel surges;

• Monitoring spaces adjacent to the cargo area for flammable or toxic gases;

• Any other function that should require their attention;

• The vessel remains safely moored alongside at all times;

• Weather conditions, including strong winds, strong tides, sea state and electrical storms are monitored and action taken as necessary;

• Pollution prevention measures are in place, with particular reference to the checking of the deck area, especially the manifold, for cargo leaks, and:

• The checking of segregated ballast prior to discharge;

• Regular monitoring overside during ballast discharge;

• Monitoring the area around the vessel for instances of pollution from other sources;

• Management of rain water on deck and oil sheens on the surface of the water;

• Management of storing and the risk of pollution from packing materials;

• Terminal and local regulations and requirements are complied with, as applicable;

• The order and the normal routine of the ship are maintained;

• The access to the vessel is safe.

• Lights and signals, as required, are exhibited.

And with respect to cargo operations:

• The cargo operation is monitored to the extent necessary to ensure that it is completed safely, effectively, and in accordance with the cargo plan;

• The requirements of the CCR83 - Ship to Shore Safety Check List are observed throughout the cargo operation, including but not limited to re-checks of the ‘R’ items. A repeat check must be made at least every four hours of the deck and mooring areas to ensure continued compliance and the fact recorded. The Deck Officer must take the opportunity to leave the Cargo Control Room and carry out these repeat checks whenever possible;

• The cargo transfer rate is calculated at least every hour and recorded;

• Stability and stress are to be checked and recorded in CCR81 – Cargo Operation Plan of the Cargo Forms Module every hour, and the Chief Officer’s pre-calculations with respect to draft, trim and stress confirmed as being maintained within the required limits.

The Deck Officer on watch must be prepared to call the Chief Officer or Master if there is any doubt as to the continued safety of the vessel, terminal, or environment.