Monday, 25 July 2022


Review of my book 'Cadet Number 3450' (in Marathi) by the renowned Chief Editor of ABP Maza!
(with the courtesy of ABP Maza edition of 24Jul2022 'Anandache Paan' presentation!)




 



_________________________________________

Courtesy Granthali and Dr. Eshan Arya


                                          _________________________________________

                                        Courtesy Granthali, Chanakya Mandal Pariwar - Kaay Wattel Te!

 

Tuesday, 5 October 2021

 



       World ECDIS Day today 06 Oct 2021!

   Be committed to EXCELLENCE in ECDIS Operations! 

   It is key to the Navigational Safety At Sea!


       There is no room for 

     mediocrity or complacency!  

Sunday, 19 September 2021


20Sep2021 

COVID.19 has changed the way all can travel to and from Merchant Ships and Work for Ship, about Ships and on Ships! 


Sunday, 6 June 2021

 


07June2021

  On 17th May2021 Cyclone Tauktae took down Barge P305 off the coast of Mumbai. This resulted in the loss of 86 lives out of which 75 were on the barge. 


Joining Eshan Arya in this Podcast to analyse the incident is Capt. U. S. Gogate. 


You could listen to this episode via these podcast platforms:


Via Spotify by clicking https://open.spotify.com/episode/4qVEewfCLOCXYI01DbVUm6?si=vTU8FfYnRF-dlKmHp1VVyQ&utm_source=copy-link

Monday, 5 October 2020

 

 

05Oct2020

 

Know Our Ship & Love Our Job!

I always kept certain words, areas in mind when I set out to know my ships over the years while sailing on board until recently!

It helped me to learn the ships in a methodical way. Below are the lists of those area names / terms that always were born in my mind !

Navigation Systems

 

Machinery Space Systems

Cargo Systems

 

 

Maintenance Systems

Safety & Environment Systems

 

 

Communication & IT Systems

­ Mooring & Lifting Gears

 

 

Storage & Preservation

Administrative Systems

Procedures & Inspections

Ship Presentation Aspects

Catering & Accommodation Systems

­­

#2a

 

 

To ‘Know’ something will be incomplete unless we know the following……   (not in any particular order)

1

What is its Generic Name as in IMO publications? [ e.g. TOR not NBDP or AE not Yanmar -😊 ]

2

How does it work?

3

What are the general specifications?

4

Electrical, Electronic, Mechanical, Chemical, PLC-Logic Based, Displays units?

for

Who is authorised to operate it

6

How to operate it

7

How to stop it?

8

How to test it?

9

What instrumentation is associated to it?

10

What are the Hardware parts?

11

What softwares are used / versions?

12

Where to find manuals?

13

Where to find records?

 

 

 

 

 

#2b

14

What PMS is associated?

15

Idiosyncrasies associated?

16

What are the inputs – what are the outputs?

17

What pressures / temperatures / hazmat associated?

18

Associated Training?

19

Work instructions?

20

COMPANY procedures associated?

21

Industry procedures association?

22

Spare parts?

23

PIC?

24

Waste Management?

25

Parameter checks?

                                                                                    


 

 

 

 

 

#2c

26

Any Handing over notes / Master-CE standing orders?

27

Safety Placarding?

28

LOTO methods?

29

Any ESE routines?

31

Day to day watch routines and records?

32

Associated FFA – portable? Fixed?

33

Associated LSA?

32

Associated Gas / other sensors?

33

Associated Simulations?

34

Associated PPE?

35

Associated Industry accidents? FBMs?

36

Associated industry circulars?

37

Data Loggers data capacity / downloads?

38

Associated Piping colour coding?

39

Associated Finished drawings, P&Ids?

40

Survey Routines? Questions asked about it?

 

 

 

 

 

#2d

41

 

 

 

How to Start (something) / Stop / Trip / Pause / Reset Restart by each available prime mover/power system provided?

 

 

 

 

 

42

Menu paths for each of the above operations?

43

Common Trouble shooting?

44

MSDS / Safety Controls as per company procedures? CPSWP?

45

Common consumable?

46

Running Hours milestones for maintenance?

47

Last Test? Next Test due?

48

Performance Tests ?

49

Permits / Regulatory Controls / procedural controls

50

How to describe various components of the unit and their location?

51

Min. manpower required ? Min PPE to use? PTW applicable/

52

ALARP awareness.

53

Preparations for Overhauls / inspections best practices?

 

 

 

 

 

#3a

).

 

Navigation Systems

1

Wheelhouse, GMDSS, Chart Room, Voyager PC areas arrangements.

2

Bridge Control, Bow Thruster Controls, Bridge-ER communications (main , emergency), all analogue and digital indicators on the bridge.

3

Steering Gear Control panel, Emergency Steering systems, Bridge Steering Gear Flat communications, Steering Gear Tests.

4

Auto Steering system (Auto-Pilot in traditional language).

5

ECDIS units.

6

Gyro, EPFS, ARPA, Echo Sounder, Speed Logs, AIS, VHF, Navtex, GMDSS-EGC Rx, Wx Fax provided.

7

Other Navigation Equipment including Gyro repeaters, day light signalling lamp.

8

BNWAS, reset points.

9

Terrestrial and Traditional Position Fixing provisions on board (sextants, Almanac, Star finder, Nautical Tables included).

10

Ergonomics, Visibility.

11

Main Power supplies to the Wheel-House and Nav. equipment– AC, DC, Batteries (built in), Emergency Batteries, Em Generator supply, UPS units arrangements provided.

12

Nav Equipment sensors / sync cables-Interconnections diagram,

13

TCS interconnections & operations .

 

 

 

 

#3b

14

ADP, eNP reader, IMO Library, Take Home Folder.

15

ECDIS updates (Weekly, T&P-AIO, Nav Warnings, Base DVD runs).

16

Printer papers, Data recorders etc.

17

Maneouvring Characteristics.

18

Exterior antennas.

19

Gyro, control panels

20

TMC system, Magnetic compass, Spare Magnetic Compass.

21

Ship’s Rockets, LTA, 2 way walkie Talkies and Spare Batteries

22

Echo Sounder

23

AIS settings, feeds.

24

VHF operations.

25

Nav Equipment PMS and running hours records, Software version records, passwords, ARC Pin etc.

26

Ship’s Maneouvring Characteristics.

27

Weather instruments and usage.

28

Traditional Navigational provisions

 

 

 

 

#3c

29

Charts, Publications & Updating systems

30

Gyro, Magnetic Compass, Steering stand controls.

31

Propulsion & Bow/Stern Thruster engagements.

32

COLREGS -Fog Signals, Navigation Lights

33

VDR, VDR Mics, download procedures, VDR Laptop, Back-ups.

34

GMDSS, Tests, Batteries.

35

Flags & Shapes maintenance, displays, Etiquette

36

PSC / Inspection QnA

37

Pilot Access and Embarkation/Disembarkation handling

38

VDR  - proactive use.

39

Window shades, Windows heating & wipers system.

40

Flags Halyards, Hooks condition.

41

Shapes tag lines, ready to deploy.

42

Company Manuals, Bridge Checklists in use.

 

 

 

 

 

 

#3d

43

NP133C and various logs.

44

Mandatory Publications.

45

Additional Publications, planning Guides, standing orders.

46

Nav equipment tests and simulations.

47

Nav Equipment in-house labelling – correctness verifications.

48

Tides, Air Clearance, UKC info availability.

49

eNav ‘ Logs’ storage.

50

Presentation to the PSC and vetting inspectors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#4a

 

Machinery Space Systems

1

Propulsion Plant

2

Power Generation Plant

3

Steam Plant (HP, MP, LP as applicable)

4

Seawater systems

5

Fresh water generation systems

6

Fresh water systems, Feed Water system, SW system.

7

Fuel Management systems

8

LubOil Management systems

9

Purifiers

10

Compressors and Compressed air system

11

Hydraulics systems

12

Mechanical Machine workshops

13

Electrical Workshop

14

Instrumentation Workshop

15

LNG systems (as Fuel)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#4b

16

MSD & Sanitation systems

17

HVAC systems

18

Mechanical Lifting gears

19

ME & AE Tools

20

High Voltage, Low voltage Electrical systems

21

Chemical systems, Oil separation systems

22

Bilge systems, Open Drain, closed drains systems.

23

Fire & Gas detection systems.

24

LSA FFA (Portable, Local, Fixed)

25

ODM in the ER Bilge system

26

UMS systems and alarms

27

Waste Management, Waste Oil systems, Incineration systems

28

EGCS

29

BWTS

30

ECR  arrangements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#4c

31

ME Maneouvring control stations

32

ER surveys and inspections

33

Finished Drawings, Manuals libraries

34

ER Administrative programmes

35

Signage in the ER

36

PTW system in the ER

37

Tools in use in the ER

38

Soundings and measurements in the ER

39

Various operational procedures and hierarchical responsibilities.

40

Company safety procedures for ER PPE & COSWP applications in the ER.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#4d

41

Cargo Cooling – ER part

42

Cargo Heating– ER part

43

N2 Generation / ex-Bottles

44

IGS Plant

45

ICCP operations

46

Stores locations & security

47

ESE Procedures – generally known areas – how to decide?

48

Internal Oil Transfer systems

49

Escape Routes

50

Bilge Oil Content Monitoring system.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#5a

 

Cargo Systems

1

Company cargo manuals. Ship specific Cargo stowage & handling information.

2

Cargo categories, carriage criteria as per ship type.

3

Stability Information & Calculations

4

Cargo and Ballast systems and operations.

5

Manuals and finished drawings.

6

Cargo Lab facilities and tests done on board.

7

Mechanical cargo Gear.

8

Cargo Pumps, Eductors, compressors systems / pump rooms / compressor rooms.

9

Cargo Holds, Piping, Storage areas, lashings – securing, watertight integrity.

10

Cargo gauging methods.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#5b

11

Company Safety procedures for the cargo system.

12

Cargo Cooling

13

Cargo Heating

14

N2 production and usage

15

IGS

16

DI water generation

17

Samples storage

18

Vapour locks, sampling sounding systems.

19

Ventilation / controlled ventilation

20

Instrumentation

21

MSDS

22

Tank / Hold preparation methods.

23

Designed parameters (temperatures, pressures, flow rates etc.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#6

 

Maintenance Systems

1

Routine preventive maintenance.

2

Planned Maintenance.

3

Machinery maintenance; critical systems.

4

Structural Maintenance. On board and during DD.

5

Calibrations, precision equipment.

6

Paint coatings, Surface preparations, area preparation, paint equipment.

7

Lubrication Plan, Lubricants.

8

Repairs.

9

Safety Associated with maintenance plans and needs to reassess it from time to time.

10

Maintenance Tools & material – Deck .

11

Maintenance Tools & material – E/R.

12

Maintenance Tools & material – LSA-FFA- OSC.

13

Maintenance Tools & material – Radio Navigation & IT.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#7

 

Safety & Environment Systems

1

SOLAS – MARPOL regulations applicable to the ship.

2

Safety Plan thorough understanding – familiarity with the referenced equipment and arrangements.

3

SOLAS – FFA training manuals; Safety Manual – company forms and procedures.

4

Loose Safety Gear

5

Fixed and Local detection and response systems.

6

LSA – FFA – OSC Crafts, Equipment and PPE competent usage/operations

7

Equipment tests

8

Safety Signage, placarding.

9

Emergency response plans including Pollution response plans.

10

Safety Routines on board.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#8

 

Communication & IT Systems

1

Overview and identification of the components in IMO-generic terms (not by makers’ part numbers).

2

Hardware parts – Antennas, Process units , human-machine interface.

3

IMO-ITU publications and its use. Routine use and emergency use.

4

Standard messaging routines, formats, tests, log keeping.

5

IT cabling – interconnection diagrams - shipboard applications.

6

Common trouble shooting.

7

Data Back ups.

8

Cyber Security measures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#9

 

 

Mooring & Lifting Gears

1

Designed Mooring Plan and capacities of the equipment. Specifications of the ropes/wires/stoppers.

2

Designed capacities of the Lifting gears and correct usage.

3

Visual inspections of the mooring and lifting gear equipment.

4

Operations and skills needed to operate correctly. Who can operate them?

5

Safety during operations, supervision-coordination monitoring. Snap zone sectors – understanding of the markings. Placarding.

 

6

Extra care during Tugs engagements.

7

ETA fittings and deployment methods.

8

Mooring Ropes, Messengers, wires, slings, strops etc (Deck-Engine together) – closer inspection of the condition and markings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#10

 

Storage & Preservation

1

Overview of the categories of the stores on board. Deck / Engine / Navigational / Administrative / Catering.

2

House keeping , Labelling, Addressing.

3

Correctness of descriptions.

4

MSDS / Product information where needed.

5

LSA-FFA provisions.

6

Lashings and securing.

7

Pollution prevention.

8

ISPS access control as per.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#11

 

 

Administrative Systems

1

Over view of the purpose and provisions of various applications provided (softwares).

2

Ship’s certificates, Crew documents Matrix etc.

 

3

Port papers.

4

Accountings Programmes / Apps.

5

Inventories control softwares.

6

Customers (charterers etc.) data compilation requirements.

7

Slop chest – Bond stores records.

8

MLC & Flag state requirements based records including rest hours records.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#12

 

 

Procedures & Inspections

1

Complete electronic sets of up to date company Safety Management System related manuals and form files. Controlled Documents.

2

Ship’s filing system.

3

Accommodation , common spaces inspections and follow ups.

4

Work areas inspections by the senior officers.

5

Tank inspection procedures and conduct.

6

Verifications – of the Navigational, Cargo processes related, Engine Room processes, Emergency response readiness by the senior officers.

7

MSO and such other changes after version changes.

8

Re-familiarization with the changes in the SMS and giving / receiving feedbacks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#13

 

Ship Presentation Aspects

1

Flag etiquette in Port – Ensign flying ; courtesy flag + company flag + other statutory flag displays .

2

Exterior lighting. Cleanliness , crew appearances, pollution prevention measures.

3

Use of ‘key words’ while talking to the inspectors, port personnel to avoid confusion.

4

Ship’s staff following Safety and Pollution prevention measures seriously.

5

Well painted (not over rust though), well lubricated, well marked, well maintained, happy-healthy looking crew,

6

Notice boards updated, messrooms, common toilets, galley-messrooms maintained well.

7

Ship’s officers in proper uniform, crew in work gear, using proper PPE.

8

Courteousness, cleanliness, good house keeping, healthy & happy crew with professional attitude.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#14

 

Catering & Accommodation Systems

1

Overview of the process chain (stores, Galleys, cooking, messrooms, utensils cleaning,  to waste management)`

2

LSA FFA in the Catering areas and catering staff knowing their usage.

3

HVAC systems for accommodation and dedicated local ventilations systems.

4

Marked areas for physical safety rounds.

5

FW supply, DW supply, Food  services, cabin facilities

6

LSA – FFA – pollution prevention provisions and familiarity.

7

Securing of the stored items for heavy weather.

8

Cabin tidiness, maintain individual LSA equipment. Escape routes.

 

End