I believe we have a good overview of the information needed in the preparing of
an STS transfer operation I am glad that you took a close look at the risk
assessments and contingency plans in the meantime I have talked with the master
and he confirmed that the engine controls and the main propulsion plant a
head and stern have just been tested
so clean the boilers and tubes of soot before the pre-operational meeting we
need to check the most important equipment and make an agenda for the
meeting
will you make the agenda for the meeting while waiting for the chief officer to
join us for the equipment chest yes we need to go through a lot at the pre
operational meeting to be sure that the operation is carried out in the safest
possible way hi David good you could join us for a quick check of equipment
before the briefing on the bridge this is Nick my new trainee
pleased to meet you Nick
should we start with the cargo hoses now that we're so close to them
good idea of course I have already checked the hoses before they were
transported from shore but we still need to check the damage that could have
occurred during the transport the hoses are closed now by blanking covers so it
is not possible to check inside this is therefore a visual inspection we must
make at this stage Nick will you take a look at the cargo hoses and tell us
where to look for weakness at the most vulnerable spots this hose seems to be
correctly connected
no signs of weaknesses in the most vulnerable spots but of course we must
start with a low pressure to be sure that they are tight before full pressure
is put on the cargo transfer
no problem here either
before we go on I will just inform the bosun and the crew where to attach the
lifting ropes when hoisting the two hose ends to the Rio later on all the fair
leads on the Mary are closed as they should be and there are no sharp edges
which could damage the lines
I agree they look alright
Nik as a superintendent it will be your responsibility to inspect the fenders
visually both prior to and after each transfer do you know what are the main
areas to look for when checking the fender riggings yes the main problems
areas you should look for when checking the fender riggings
our damage to chain and tire net
slipped or split tires
or stretched or corroded chain and fender moorings and arrangements and
everything here seems to be okay
then you also need to check the fenders
what would you look for here on the actual fender you need to look for
blistering you
cuts
abrasions damage to the fender body and check for potential safety valve or
filling valve damages but at this stage it is only a visual
inspection of the fenders the thorough inspection of the fenders was made
ashore I think we have a problem with the mooring lines
according to the moring plan we need 12 lines for the operation plus a couple of
additional lines in case of line failure there are only 13 lines on board and two
of those lines are too damaged to use
look how it cut here
so we need to replace the two damaged lines and bring another spare in place
could you take care of that David
of course I was informed by the second officer that all mooring ropes were
checked and found ok I will see to it that replacing the damaged rope is
arranged I'm sure we have at least three additional spares in store
yes if not we need to postpone the operation
of course but I will check a stores right away okay before the briefing on
the bridge with the officers we need to run through my inspection list to be
sure we haven't missed anything
could you help me with that and regarding the oil pollution prevention
equipment can you tell me what will need to be prepared yes a lot needs to be
prepared for the risk of pollution this is something we all have to be
absolutely aware of the exact number of absorbent oil boom
pads sawdust bags and oil drums depend on the site of the vessel
but you can read all about this in the vessels shipboard oil pollution
emergency plan also called so pep hi good to see you all again
as you know I will be an overall charge of the upcoming STS operation I have
Nick Carter my superintendent trainee with me
Nick you've already met John and David and this is the second officer William
and the third officer Robert first of all I just need to know if we have all
the mooring lines we need
I just made an inspection of the fenders and mooring arrangement with Nick and
David and two of the mooring lines were too damaged to use
do you have new lines in store David
yes we actually had three new mooring lines in store so no problem there
fantastic and what about the safety procedures can you fill me in on that
John
sure we have carried out all the preparations including a safety meeting
with all on board prior to our arrival you have also received the risk
assessment and contingency plan plus the obligatory checklists
we have also been through checklist number six you can see it here
and we as well as the rail have confirmed that STS checklist number 1
has been completed
okay then there is the cargo can you give me the details yes the total
quantity to be transferred from the Mary is metric tonnes golf acts like crude
thanks Robert it matches fine with my own estimation of a total transfer time
around 35 hours William could you give me a briefing concerning the weather and
navigational conditions I have tested the navigation equipment
and it's working fine
the weather and sea state and the traffic movements are checked frequently
and when I last checked just before this meeting the conditions at the aggrieved
meeting point was still fine wind south southwest 5 m/s current zero three five
degrees at 0.4 knots c3 with no swell perfect with these
conditions we can stick to the plan for running and mooring as it is
so let's take a look at it
we are now in this position approximately two nautical miles east of
the rendezvous position the moring plan also needs some
attention
as you can see we need four lines both in front and aft and two by two lines
amidships I understand that William will lead the
forward mooring team and Robert is to lead the aft mooring team each with a
total of at least four persons
at the beginning when we start working with the bow lines Roberts team must be
ready to assist with the forward spring lines as the head ropes and the forward
Springs are the first lines to be made fast as soon as the forward Springs are
first Robert with his team will move to the poop and prepare for the stern ropes
the two aft springs will be the last lines to make fast do you have any
questions relating to this procedure
okay if you don't have more to add I will now fill in checklist number two
and make contact with Michael Jones the master at the Rio to align our efforts
Nik you checked the risk assessment could you also take a closer look at the
contingency plan hi this is Petey Anson superintendent on motor tanker Mary
I'm calling to exchange pre-arrival information and get the obligatory
confirmation of the STS checklist hi Peter Michael Jones master at motor
tanker Rio here I'm informed that you're an overall
charge of the operation and that suits me fine
I can confirm that the STS checklist is completed
good then we are ready to start of course we both have the
responsibility for a safe operation and you will remain in command of the Rio
and both we and the crew should be able to go through the operation with English
as working language yes everyone on my ship knows the
standard marine communication phrases and speaks English fluently
I understand that we both maintain a security level of one
that's right
regarding the timetable I want you to pick up your anchor at 10:30 hours and
proceed to the rendezvous position north 50 degrees 32 minutes zero nine seconds
and west zero zero two degrees 57 minutes 17 seconds
we are aiming to start the operation at 1200 hours so please ensure that you are
ready in all respects we have no problems in meeting your time
schedule and has agreed the birthing operation
will be with both ships underway yes when we start the operation I want
you to steer 195 degrees true and increase speed to 4.5 knots
I anticipate the runnin & Moring to take some two to three hours as I have been
informed that you changed crew last night when arriving
that's correct
my cruise should be able to complete the mooring operation in no more than three
hours
okay and please keep me well updated on any irregularities during the running
phase we don't want any personal injuries or
other accidents certainly not
when do you reckon we can finish the cargo transfer
if all goes well I anticipate complete cargo transfer around 2200 hours
tomorrow but as you probably know night
operations are not permitted here so I think we will not split the vessels
until daybreak Thursday morning please confirm that this is understood
and that your engines can maintain 4.5 knots for one to two hours
it's both understood and confirmed