Table of contents
- Gard Guidance to Masters
- Foreword
- Acknowledgement
- Preface
- Introduction
- Part 1 General
- 1.1 Purpose of the Gard Guidance to Masters
- 1.2 Structure of the Gard Guidance to Masters
- 1.3 Scope of insurance cover
- 1.4 Contacting Gard or the correspondent
- 1.5 Gard publications
- 1.6 Loss Prevention in Gard
- 1.7 Gards website
- 1.8 The difference between P&I and Hull and Machinery insurance
- Part 2 Loss Prevention
- 2.1 General
- 2.1.1 Seaworthiness - Safety - Security
- 2.1.1.1 Seaworthiness - Safety
- 2.1.2 Instructions from the Company
- 2.1.1.2 Security
- 2.1.3 Instructions from charterers
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- 2.2 Documentation
- 2.2.1 Certificates and documents
- 2.2.2 Logbooks
- 2.2.3 Reporting
- 2.3 Crew manning,documents, competency and fitness
- 2.3.1 Crew manning
- 2.3.2 Crew documents
- 2.3.3 Crew identity
- 2.3.4 Crew competency
- 2.3.5 Crew fitness
- 2.4 Familiarisation with the vessel
- 2.5 Management and communication
- 2.5.1 Teamwork - communication
- 2.5.2 Routine is dangerous
- 2.5.3 Discipline is essential
- 2.5.4 Orders
- 2.5.5 Procedures and reporting
- 2.5.6 Crew information
- 2.6 Health
- 2.6.1 Living quarters - galleys - provision stores - water systems - swimming pools
- 2.6.2 Vessels hospital and medicine
- 2.6.3 Medical care
- 2.6.4 Drugs and alcohol
- 2.6.4.1 Drugs and alcohol policy
- 2.6.4.2 Drugs
- 2.6.4.3 Alcohol
- 2.7 Training and drills
- 2.7.1 The importance of training
- 2.7.2 Safe training
- 2.7.3 Navigational training
- 2.8 Safety
- 2.8.1 General
- 2.8.2 Safety signs - muster lists - safety plans - emergency exits
- 2.8.3 Safe working environment
- 2.8.3.1 General
- 2.8.3.2 Working areas
- 2.8.3.3 Lighting
- 2.8.3.4 Cargo holds
- 2.8.3.5 Engine and pump rooms
- 2.8.4 Safe working equipment
- 2.8.4.1 Safe working clothes - Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- 2.8.4.2 Safe working tools
- 2.8.5 Safe working practices
- 2.8.5.1 Safe working practices at all times
- 2.8.5.2 Safe access to the vessel
- 2.8.5.3 On deck - mooring and unmooring
- 2.8.5.4 Overside and underwater works - divers work
- 2.8.5.5 Working aloft
- 2.8.5.6 Working in the engine room and machinery spaces
- 2.8.5.7 Entry into enclosed spaces
- 2.8.5.8 Hot work
- 2.8.5.9 Work in accommodation, galleys and pantries
- 2.8.6 Safe passenger environment
- 2.8.6.1 General
- 2.8.6.2 Accident prone areas and circumstances
- 2.8.6.3 Accident prevention
- 2.8.7 Safe environment for persons other than crew or passengers
- 2.8.7.1 Pilots
- 2.8.7.2 Supercargoes
- 2.8.7.3 Surveyors
- 2.8.7.4 Relatives on board
- 2.8.7.5 Stevedores
- 2.8.7.6 Ships visitors, agents, contracts etc.
- 2.9 Security
- 2.9.1 General access to the vessel
- 2.9.2 Refugees
- 2.9.3 Stowaways
- 2.9.3.1 General
- 2.9.3.2 Problems caused by stowaways
- 2.9.3.3 Access to the vessel
- 2.9.3.4 Measures prior to and upon departure
- 2.9.4 Violent attacks and piracy
- 2.9.4.1 Circumstances surrounding violent attacks
- 2.9.4.2 Action to prevent attacks
- 2.9.5 Drug smuggling
- 2.9.5.1 General
- 2.9.5.2 Motivate the crew to co-operate
- 2.9.5.3 National legal requirements
- 2.9.5.4 Measures to prevent drug smuggling
- 2.10 Inspection, Maintenance and Repair
- 2.10.1 General
- 2.10.2 Vessels seaworthiness
- 2.10.3 Lifesaving equipment and firefighting appliances
- 2.10.3.1 Lifesaving equipment
- 2.10.3.2 Fire fighting documents and appliances
- 2.10.4 Safety and environmental protection equipment
- 2.10.5 Navigational aids and equipment - sea charts and publications
- 2.10.6 Vessels computers - integrated bridge systems - engine automation systems
- 2.10.6.1 General
- 2.10.6.2 Basic bridge configuration
- 2.10.6.3 Voyage management system
- 2.10.6.4 Engine room automation system
- 2.10.6.5 Purpose of electronic systems
- 2.10.6.6 Causes of incidents
- 2.10.6.7 Sufficient training required
- 2.10.7 Vessels openings
- 2.10.8 Cargo holds and tanks, bulkheads and platings, structure and fittings
- 2.10.9 Cargo gear and lashings
- 2.10.10 Machinery - inspection, maintenance and repair
- 2.11 Cargo Ships and Cargo Operations
- 2.11.1 Cargo - general advice
- 2.11.2 The vessel and cargo holds
- 2.11.2.1 Clean holds, dry and free from smell
- 2.11.2.2 Fumigation
- 2.11.2.3 Hatchcovers and other openings
- 2.11.2.4 Pipes and manhole covers
- 2.11.2.5 Cargo gear
- 2.11.2.6 Cargo tackle
- 2.11.2.7 Stowage and securing
- 2.11.2.8 Ventilation
- 2.11.3 Cargo precautions under charterparty provisions
- 2.11.3.1 General
- 2.11.3.2 Typed amendments
- 2.11.3.3 Dunnage and shifting boards provided by charterers
- 2.11.3.4 Tallies, stowage, lashing and securing of cargo
- 2.11.3.5 Ventilation of cargo - monitoring of cargo temperatures
- 2.11.4 Signing bills of lading - letters of indemnity
- 2.11.4.1 General
- 2.11.4.2 Description, condition and quantity of the cargo
- 2.11.4.3 Date of issue
- 2.11.4.4 Authority on behalf of the Master to sign bills of lading
- 2.11.4.5 Letters of indemnity
- Reader rating
- 2.12 Selected cargoes
- 2.12.1 General
- 2.12.2 Bulk cargoes - dry
- 2.12.2.1 General
- 2.12.2.2 Condition of holds and portable bulkheads
- 2.12.2.3 Loading and unloading dry bulk cargoes
- 2.12.2.4 Shifting of moist bulk cargoes
- 2.12.2.5 Cargoes emitting gas
- 2.12.2.6 Concentrates
- 2.12.2.7 Heating of cargo
- 2.12.2.8 Draft survey
- 2.12.2.9 Cargo sampling dry bulk cargoes
- 2.12.3 Liquid bulk cargoes
- 2.12.3.1 General
- 2.12.3.2 Preparations prior to loading
- 2.12.3.3 Tank inspection prior to loading
- 2.12.3.4 The loading of liquid cargo
- 2.12.3.5 Cargo samples
- 2.12.3.6 Cargo quantity and signing bills of lading
- 2.12.3.7 The discharge of liquid cargo
- 2.12.4 Containers
- 2.12.4.1 General
- 2.12.4.2 Condition of containers
- 2.12.4.3 Seals and doors
- 2.12.4.4 IMDG labels
- 2.12.4.5 Flat racks
- 2.12.4.6 Container weight and stability
- 2.12.4.7 Lashing and securing of deck containers
- 2.12.4.8 Unrestricted bridge visibility
- 2.12.4.9 Special stowage instructions
- 2.12.5 General cargoes
- 2.12.5.1 General
- 2.12.5.2 Condition prior to shipment
- 2.12.5.3 Damaged cargo
- 2.12.5.4 Damage caused by stevedores
- 2.12.5.5 Photographic and video evidence
- 2.12.5.6 No loading during rain or snow
- 2.12.5.7 Separation - marking of cargo
- 2.12.5.8 Dunnage, lashing and separation material
- 2.12.6 Heavy lift cargoes
- 2.12.6.1 General
- 2.12.6.2 Loading, stowage and lashing plans
- 2.12.6.3 Loading gear and tackle
- 2.12.6.4 Co-operation during cargo operations
- 2.12.6.5 Completion of loading -lashing survey
- 2.12.7 On-deck cargoes
- 2.12.7.1 General
- 2.12.7.2 Clausing bills of lading
- 2.12.7.3 Lashing and securing
- 2.12.7.4 Timber deck cargoes
- 2.12.8 Reefer cargo and reefer containers
- 2.12.8.1 General
- 2.12.8.2 Reefer instructions from shippers
- 2.12.8.3 Refrigeration machinery and reefer compartments
- 2.12.8.4 Reefer containers
- 2.12.9 Ro-ro cargo
- 2.12.9.1 General
- 2.12.9.2 Negligent declaration of dangerous cargo
- 2.12.9.3 Checking of cargo to be loaded
- 2.12.9.4 Trailers
- 2.12.9.5 Uneven distribution of weights - negligent lashing of cargo
- 2.12.9.6 Negligent lashing on board the vessel
- 2.12.9.7 Improper securing of doors and ramps
- 2.12.10 Steel cargoes
- 2.12.10.1 General
- 2.12.10.2 Steel pre-shipment and outturn surveys
- 2.13 Voyage preparation, planning and performance
- 2.13.1 Sufficient supplies - bunkers and stores
- 2.13.2 Bunkering operations - bunker quality
- 2.13.2.1 General
- 2.13.2.2 Qualified and experienced personnel in attendance
- 2.13.2.3 Equipment used
- 2.13.2.4 Bunker quality - proper sampling
- 2.13.2.5 Emergency Response Plan
- 2.13.2.6 Bunkering from a tanker barge
- 2.13.2.7 Singapore Bunker Procedure (SBP)
- 2.13.3 Passage Planning - departure and arrival
- 2.13.3.1 General
- 2.13.3.2 Proper passage planning from berth to berth
- 2.13.3.3 Review of passage plan before execution
- 2.13.3.4 Unsafe port - unsafe berth
- 2.13.3.5 Proceeding on critical revolutions over a longer period of time
- 2.13.3.6 Check navigational instruments, propulsion and steering elements
- 2.13.3.7 Adjustment of ships clocks
- 2.13.4 Navigation in confined waters - Bridge Resource Management
- 2.13.5 Pilot assistance
- 2.13.5.1 General
- 2.13.5.2 Responsibility rests with the Master
- 2.13.5.3 Pilot assistance and SMS
- 2.13.5.4 Pilots experience and competency - intervention where required
- 2.13.5.5 Operational information to be relayed to the pilot
- 2.13.5.6 Information to and close observation of the pilot
- 2.13.6 Sufficient tug assistance - tug operations
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- 2.14 Watchkeeping and navigation
- 2.14.1 General
- 2.14.2 Watchkeeping underway
- 2.14.2.1 Watchkeeping performance
- 2.14.2.2 Masters orders and instructions
- 2.14.2.3 Handing over the watch
- 2.14.2.4 Taking over the watch
- 2.14.2.5 Proper lookout
- 2.14.2.6 Compliance with Collision Regulations and Traffic Separation Schemes
- 2.14.2.7 Weather reports
- 2.14.2.8 Keeping proper logs
- 2.14.2.9 Distractions by domestic radios and entertainment devices
- 2.14.2.10 Regular soundings
- 2.14.2.11 Vessels behaviour during passage - parametric rolling
- 2.14.3 Anchoring - watckeeping at anchorage
- 2.14.3.1 General
- 2.14.3.2 Anchoring as part of the passage plan
- 2.14.3.3 Proper selection of anchorage
- 2.14.3.4 Watchkeeping at anchorage
- 2.14.3.5 Maintenance of anchor gear
- 2.14.3.6 Securing of anchor gear during passage
- 2.14.4 Watchkeeping in port
- 2.14.5 Stay in shipyard or dry-dock
- 2.15 Ballast water operations
- 2.15.1 General
- 2.15.2 Automated cargo, ballast monitoring and control systems
- 2.15.3 Ballast water exchange at sea
- 2.15.4 Ballast water exchange in freezing conditions
- 2.16 Matters affecting voyage performance
- 2.16.1 Providing security - Letter of Undertaking
- 2.16.2 Fines
- 2.16.3 Pollution
- 2.16.3.1 General
- 2.16.3.2 Pollutants
- 2.16.3.3 Types and causes of pollution
- 2.16.3.4 Control and measures to avoid pollution
- 2.16.4 Collision
- 2.16.4.1 Causes of collision
- 2.16.4.2 Insurance cover
- 2.16.4.3 Collision at sea
- 2.16.4.4 Collision in confined waters
- 2.16.4.5 No use of GSM or other mobile telephones
- 2.16.4.6 Collisions may consittute a criminal offence!
- 2.16.4.7 Note of protest after collision
- 2.16.5 Damage to fixed and floating objects (FFO)
- 2.16.5.1 Insurance cover
- 2.16.5.2 Objects likely to be damaged
- 2.16.5.3 Damage to lock gates and walls
- 2.16.5.4 Damage to navigation aids
- 2.16.5.5 Damage to aqua farms and fishing gear
- 2.16.6 Damage to other property
- 2.16.6.1 Insurance cover
- 2.16.6.2 Damage caused by manoeuvring the vessel
- 2.16.6.3 Damage caused by the vessels anchors or mooring lines
- 2.16.6.4 Damage to shore installations and property
- 2.16.7 General average - grounding and salvage - fire
- 2.16.7.1 General average
- 2.16.7.2 Grounding and salvage
- 2.16.7.3 Fire
- 2.16.8 Diversion - deviation
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- Part 3 P&I Response Advice
- 3.1 General response advice
- 3.1.1 Companys and vessels Emergency Contingency Plan
- 3.1.2 Purpose of Incident Response Advice
- 3.1.3 Be prepared!
- 3.1.4 The Master is the leader!
- 3.1.5 Do not underestimate an incident!
- 3.1.6 Contacts and instructions
- 3.1.7 Reporting the incident
- 3.1.8 Securing evidence
- 3.1.9 Access to the vessel, crew and documentation - no admission of liability
- 3.1.10 Correspondents - surveyors - lawyers
- 3.1.11 Giving statements to the representatives of the insurer
- 3.1.12 Issuing and receiving protests in connection with an incident
- 3.1.12.1 Issuing a protest
- 3.1.12.2 Receiving a protest
- 3.2 Cargo
- 3.2.1 Action to be taken
- 3.2.1.1 Cargo damage
- 3.2.1.2 Cargo lost overboard creating a hazard to navigation
- 3.2.2 Evidence to be collected
- 3.2.3 Documents to be retained
- 3.3 Collison
- 3.3.1 Action to be taken
- 3.3.1.1 Emergency Contingency Plan
- 3.3.1.2 General
- 3.3.1.3 Reporting
- 3.3.1.4 Personal injury
- 3.3.1.5 Cargo damage
- 3.3.1.6 Pollution
- 3.3.2 Evidence to be collected
- 3.3.2.1 General information
- 3.3.2.2 Navigation and communication in use at the time of collision
- 3.3.2.3 Persons involved
- 3.3.3 Documents to be retained
- 3.4 Damage to FFO (Fixed and Floating Objects) and other property
- 3.4.1 General - Reporting
- 3.4.2 Action to be taken
- 3.4.3 Evidence to be collected
- 3.4.3.1 General information
- 3.4.3.2 Navigation and communication equipment in use at the time of the incident
- 3.4.3.3 Personsl involved
- 3.4.3.4 Documents to be retained
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- 3.5 Diversion - Deviation
- 3.5.1 Diversion - deviation
- 3.5.2 Justifiable diversions
- 3.5.3 Diversion to undertake repairs
- 3.5.4 Action to be taken (in all cases of diversion - deviation)
- 3.5.5 Evidence to be collected (in all cases of diversion - deviation)
- 3.5.6 Documents to be retained (in all cases of diversion - deviation)
- 3.6 Drug smuggling
- 3.6.1 General
- 3.6.2 Action to be taken
- 3.6.3 Criminal investigations
- 3.6.4 Evidence to be collected
- 3.6.5 Documents to be retained
- 3.7 Fines - Criminal investigations
- 3.7.1 General
- 3.7.2 Criminal investigations
- 3.7.3 Action to be taken
- 3.7.4 Evidence to be collected
- 3.7.5 Documents to be retained
- 3.8 Fire
- 3.8.1 Immediate action to be taken
- 3.8.1.1 Emergency Contingency Plan
- 3.8.1.2 Reporting
- 3.8.2 Evidence to be collected
- 3.9 Grounding and salvage - General Average
- 3.9.1 Grounding
- 3.9.1.1 Action to be taken
- 3.9.1.2 Evidence to be collected
- 3.9.2 General average
- 3.9.2.1 General
- 3.9.2.2 Action to be taken
- 3.9.2.3 Evidence to be collected
- 3.9.3 Salvage
- 3.9.3.1 General
- 3.9.3.2 Reporting
- 3.9.3.3 Action to be taken
- 3.9.3.4 Evidence to be collected
- 3.10 Persons overboard or missing
- 3.10.1 Actions to be taken
- 3.10.2 Evidence to be collected
- 3.11 Personal injury, crew illness and death
- 3.11.1 Personal injury
- 3.11.1.1 General
- 3.11.1.2 Action to be taken
- 3.11.1.3 Evidence to be collected
- 3.11.2 Stevedore injury
- 3.11.2.1 Action to be taken
- 3.11.2.2 Evidence to be collected in addition to section 3.11.1 Personal injury, above
- 3.11.3 Passenger injury
- 3.11.3.1 Actions to be taken
- 3.11.3.2 Evidence to be collected in addition to section 3.11.1 Personal injury, above
- 3.11.4 Illness
- 3.11.4.1 Actions to be taken
- 3.11.4.2 Evidence to be collected
- 3.11.5 Death
- 3.11.5.1 Actions to be taken
- 3.11.5.2 Evidence to be collected
- 3.12 Pollution
- 3.12.1 General
- 3.12.1.1 Insurance cover
- 3.12.1.2 Reference and national contact points
- 3.12.1.3 Co-operation with authorities - no admission of liability
- 3.12.2 Pollution by oil
- 3.12.3 Pollution by noxious liquid substances in bulk - chemicals
- 3.12.4 Pollution by harmful substances in packaged form - dangerous cargoes
- 3.12.5 Pollution in non US waters - underway, alongside or at anchor
- 3.12.6 Pollution in US waters
- 3.12.6.1 Immediate notification and contacts
- 3.12.6.2 Criminal investigations
- 3.12.7 Co-operation with contractors
- 3.12.8 No chemicals to be used unless approved!
- 3.12.9 Vessels plans
- 3.12.10 Evidence to be collected
- 3.12.10.1 Description of the incident
- 3.12.10.2 Description of the operation during which pollution occurred
- 3.12.10.3 Other companies involved in the pollution - bunker and other suppliers
- 3.12.10.4 Property damaged by pollution
- 3.13 Refugees
- 3.13.1 General
- 3.13.2 Action to be taken
- 3.13.3 Information to be provided
- 3.13.4 Evidence to be collected
- 3.14 Stevedore damage - damage to the own vessel caused by third parties
- 3.14.1 General
- 3.14.2 Reporting
- 3.14.3 Actions to be taken
- 3.14.4 Evidence to be collected
- 3.15 Stowaways
- 3.15.1 Actions to be taken
- 3.15.2 Evidence to be collected
- 3.16 Structural failure - Loss of propulsion and/or steerage - call for assistance
- 3.16.1 General
- 3.16.2 Action to be taken - Emergency Contingency Plan
- 3.16.3 Reporting
- 3.16.4 Evidence to be collected
- 3.16.4.1 General information
- 3.16.4.2 Navigation and communication equipment in use at the time of the incident
- 3.16.4.3 Persons involved
- 3.16.4.4 Documents to be retained
- 3.17 Towage - Damage caused to or by a tug
- 3.17.1 Actions to be taken
- 3.17.2 Evidence to be collected
- 3.18 Violent Acts, Piracy, Robbery and Others
- 3.18.1 General advice
- 3.18.2 Do not risk life defending property!
- 3.18.3 Reporting
- 3.18.3.1 General
- 3.18.3.2 Use of radio signals by vessels under attack
- 3.18.3.3 Pirates detected prior to boarding the vessel
- 3.18.3.4 Pirates boarded unnoticed
- 3.18.4 Evidence to be collected
- Part 4 Annexes
- Annex 1 Certificates and documents required to be carried on board ships
- Annex 2 List of abbreviations
- Annex 3 Communications while loading and discharging
- Annex 4 "Hold Harmless" visitor agreement
- Annex 5 Pilot card
- Annex 6 Ship to shore Master/pilot exchange (MPX)
- Annex 7 Shore to ship Master/Pilot exchange (MPX)
- Annex 8 Stowaways Questionnaire
- Annex 9 Piracy and maritime violence incidence report
2.11.4 Signing bills of lading - letters of indemnity
- 2.11.4.1 General
- 2.11.4.2 Description, condition and quantity of the cargo
- 2.11.4.3 Date of issue
- 2.11.4.4 Authority on behalf of the Master to sign bills of lading
- 2.11.4.5 Letters of indemnity
2.11.4. SIGNING OF BILLS OF LADING – LETTERS OF INDEMNITY
The problems, difficulties and liabilities arising out of issuing and signing bills of lading are so extensive that Gard has published a separate guidance covering this area, please refer to Gard Guidance on Bills of Lading.
The Master should refer to the P&I insurer and/or this publication for more detailed advice on bills of lading and related issues. The information in this section is of a general and limited nature.