Emergency Towing-off Pennants or ETOP's is usually referred to as “ Fire wires,” which provide a method of towing the vessel away from the berth in the event of an emergency. The intent of rigging fire wires or emergency towing pennants is to facilitate the movement of the vessel by tugs without the necessity of putting people on board to rig lines. In other words, it is used to assist tugs in the removal of the ship without the intervention of any crew member. Recommendations MEG 4 (4.7 Emergency tow-off pennants) OCIMF does not support the use of emergency tow off pennants although some … [Read more...]
Safety Officer Onboard – Definition, Duties and Powers
Definition of Safety Officer Safety Officer onboard the vessel is an appointed safety adviser who promotes safety onboard by carrying out inspections, identifying hazards and potential hazards to health, safety and the environment with subject to the agreement of the Master. The safety officer should be familiar with the principles and practice of risk assessment and should be available to advise those preparing and reviewing risk assessments. It is recognised that where the safety officer also has other responsibilities (e.g. chief officer) they may well conduct risk assessments themselves. … [Read more...]
What is General Average & the importance of York-Antwerp Rules ?
General Average There is a General Average act when and only when any extraordinary or expenditure is intentionally and reasonably made or incurred for the common safety, for the purpose of preserving from peril, the property involved in a common maritime adventure. Extraordinary Sacrifice in a General Average Below are examples for an extraordinary sacrifice, though not limited to:Damage done to the engine to refloat the vessel after grounding. Jettisoning of cargo under Deck. Jettisoning of Cargo on Deck as per Custom of the trade. Slipping of Anchor and Cable … [Read more...]
What is a Marine Policy? Basics you need to know!
A contract of Marine Insurance shall not be submitted in evidence unless it is embodied in a Marine Policy accordance with Marine Insurance Act. The policy may be executed and issued either at the time when the contract is concluded or afterwards. Dictionary Meaning of " POLICY " : A set of ideas or a plan of what to do in particular situations that has been agreed to officially by a group of people, a business organization, a government, or a political party. Before proceeding further, please go through an example below:A Marine Policy must specify the following:Name of the … [Read more...]
Documentary Credit System in Shipping – Basics Explained with Flowchart
Documentary Credit System is a payment system used in international trade where the BUYER and SELLER are from different countries. It is developed to include a measure of security to trade transactions by involving a third party, the BANK.The bank provides additional security for both parties i.e. it plays the role of an intermediary by assuring the seller that he will be paid if he provides the bank with the required documents and by assuring the buyer that his money will not be paid unless the shipping documents evidencing proper shipment of his goods are presented. How Documentary … [Read more...]
Propeller Cavitation Explained – Cause, Types, Effects & Avoidance
Cavitation of a ship's propeller is phenomena that can greatly reduce a ship propelling efficiency whilst at the same time lead to rapid degradation of the propellor.To learn further about cavitation, we need to get familiar or refresh our knowledge regarding Liquid vapour phases.Solid (ice) Liquid (water) Vapour (steam)The phases of liquid and vapour are influenced by temperature and pressure. Water is normally observed to change its state to the form of vapour when its temperature is raised to above 100 deg C at atmospheric pressure. Water can also vaporise when the … [Read more...]
Technical Aspects of GMDSS Equipments – Propagation, Modulation, Terrestrial Equipment & Antenna
GMDSS Radio Signals Radio signals are transmitted as electromagnetic radiation and occupy the frequency range 3 kHz ~ 300 GHz. The radiofrequency range is divided into a number of bands. In the GMDSS system both terrestrial and satellite methods of communications are interlocked in order to provide an extremely reliable scheme to alert rescue authorities in the event of a vessel being in distress.Frequencies in the MF, HF and VHF bands are used for terrestrial communications via Coast Radio Stations (CRS). Frequencies in the SHF bands are used for satellite communications. It's important … [Read more...]
Note of Protest vs Letter of Protest – Why, When and Differences between NOP & LOP
Note of Protest Note of Protest or a NOP is a solemn declaration made on oath by a Ship Master that circumstances beyond his control have or may have given rise to loss and/or damage to his ship or its cargo or have caused him to take action which may render owners liable to legal action by another party. When to Note Protest?Whenever during the voyage, the ship has encountered conditions of wind and sea which may result in damage to cargo. When from any course, the ship is damaged or there is a reason to fear that damage may be sustained. When through the stress of weather, it … [Read more...]
Frontal Depressions – Types of Fronts, Weather Associated and Frontolysis
Air Masses It is defined as a quantity of air with dimensions of about 500nm or so, with little or no horizontal variation of any of its properties, especially temperature. Air masses are named after the sources from which they originate. Main air masses on the Earth are Tropical Air Masses and Polar Air Masses. Changes in the weather are caused by the movement of air masses. Factors affecting the properties of an Air-MassSource region - if the air mass is of Polar origin, it will be cold and if of tropical origin, it will be warm. Its track over the Earth's surface - if it passes … [Read more...]
Clouds – Formation and Ten different Types
General Clouds are a collection of water droplets or ice crystals, or a combination of these two states of water, suspended in the atmosphere.The temperature of the air decreases steadily with increasing altitude, but the amount of water vapor does not necessarily decrease with altitude. Thus, the relative humidity typically rises with altitude. If it rises to 100% at a certain level, clouds can form at and above that level, because condensation forms on airborne dust particles.The development of clouds is accelerated by atmospheric updrafts, when moist air ascends to great heights. The … [Read more...]