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Gard Guidance Masters

ANNEX 3 COMMUNICATIONS WHILE LOADING AND DISCHARGING

3.1 Ship-to-terminal communications while loading
Communications procedure
Each communication between the ship and the shore terminal must begin with the identification of the station being called and the identity of the calling station, just as if it were a marine traffic call on bridge-to-bridge VHF. Consistent application of this radio discipline will ensure that there is no confusion between ships and different berths in the same terminal or same port area.

Communication objective
The objective of good ship-terminal communications is a steady flow of exchange which focuses the operators on the status of the ship and the next event likely to occur.

Communication difficulties – Phrase sheet
When there are language difficulties between the terminal and the ship, the cargo watch officer on the ship must be provided with a phrase sheet of the terms and orders to be used in the shore’s language and corresponding translations in his own language. This arrangement is a poor substitute for adequate language fluency between shore and ship and it should only be used as a last resort. A crew member should be stationed at the ship’s manifold to watch the shore operator. He should confirm the operator’s actions in response to request by the ship’s cargo officer.

Chief Officer’s loading orders
Following the pre-loading conference, the chief officer may amend his loading plan, will prepare supplementary loading/night orders and complete any directions necessary to ensure full control of the start of the loading operations.

Communication contents
The ship should communicate at least the following to the terminal

  • When all fast to the pier
  • When customs formalities are complete
  • When loading hoses have been connected
  • When ballast discharge is completed
  • When tank inspection is complete
  • Acknowledgement of all communications received from the terminal
  • When the ship is ready to receive cargo
  • When cargo has started entering the tanks
  • When loading rate may be increased to full rate
  • When the watch is changed in the CCR and on deck
  • Any problems with mooring lines, cargo hoses or the shore gangway
  • Standby to reduce rate for topping off
  • Order to reduce the cargo loading rate for topping off
  • Advice that topping off tanks has begun
  • Advice when topping off is complete and rate can be increased
  • Hourly advice of the loading pressure and temperature at the ship’s manifold and rate at which cargo is being received
  • Advice to standby on receiving a fire detection, gas detection, or other significant alarm; followed by advice to ship down if a fire is found, or to continue loading if the alarm is false
  • Advice of setting or changing the sailing time of the vessel
  • Advice and time that pilots and tugs have been ordered
  • Standby to finish loading a grade (or cargo)
  • Instruction to stop pumping a grade (or cargo)
  • Advice that the ship is ready for gauging and sampling
  • Advice that ship is ready to drain and disconnect hoses
  • Time that hoses are disconnected
  • Time that all crew members are on board
  • Time that vessel will begin testing radars and main engine for departure
  • Time that gauging/sampling is complete
  • Time that cargo documentation is complete.

    3.2 Terminal-to-ship communications while loading
    Communications procedure
    Each communication between the shore terminal and the ship must begin with the identification of the station being called and the identity of the calling station, just as if it were a marine traffic call on bridge-to-bridge VHF. Consistent application of this radio discipline will ensure that there is no confusion between ships and different berths in the same terminal or same port area.

    Communication objective
    The objective of good terminal-ship communications is a steady flow of exchange which focuses the operators on the status of the ship and the next event likely to occur.

    Communication difficulties – Phrase sheet
    When there are language difficulties between the terminal and the ship, the cargo watch officer on the ship must be provided with a phrase sheet of the terms and orders to be used in the shore’s language and corresponding translations in his own language. This arrangement is a poor substitute for adequate language fluency between shore and ship and it should only be used as a last resort. A crew member should be stationed at the ship’s manifold to watch the shore operator. He should confirm the operator’s actions in response to request by the ship’s cargo officer.

    Communication amount
    This amount of communications from the shore will be provided if the chief officer makes clear during the pre-loading conference that is both expected and essential, and if during the loading operation the ship provides a corresponding amount of information as indicated in Annex 3 “Ship to terminal communications while loading”

    Chief Officer’s loading orders
    Following the pre-loading conference, the chief officer may amend his loading plan, will prepare supplementary loading/night orders and complete any directions necessary to ensure full control of the start of the loading operations.

    Communication contents
    The shore terminal should provide to the ship the following

  • Advice of when they will be ready to connect hoses
  • Advice when they are ready to load cargo (grade)
  • Advice that cargo (grade) has been started on hose/manifold No. …
  • Acknowledgement of all communications received from the ship
  • Advice regarding the condition of the moorings and/or gangway
  • Hourly readings of the loading rate, total quantity delivered to ship and ship’s draft readings forward and aft (if they can be conveniently observed)
  • Advice if cargo loading is stopped for any reason
  • Advice of a fire in the terminal
  • Advice of any communications or parcels received for delivery to the ship
  • Weather advice received
  • Notice of returning crew members who may appear to be intoxicated.

    3.3 Ship-to-terminal communications while discharging
    Communications procedure
    Each communication between the ship and the shore terminal must begin with the identification of the station being called and the identity of the calling station, just as if it were a marine traffic call on bridge-to-bridge VHF. Consistent application of this radio discipline will ensure that there is no confusion between ships and different berths in the same terminal or same port area.

    Communication objective
    The objective of good ship-terminal communications is a steady flow of exchange which focuses the operators on the status of the ship and the next event likely to occur.

    Communication difficulties – Phrase sheet
    When there are language difficulties between the ship and the terminal, the cargo watch officer on the ship must be provided with a phrase sheet of the terms and orders to be used in the shore’s language and corresponding translations in his own language. This arrangement is a poor substitute for adequate language fluency between ship and shore and it should only be used as a last resort. A crew member should be stationed at the ship’s manifold to watch the shore operator. He should confirm the operator’s actions in response to request by the ship’s cargo officer.

    Communication contents
    The ship should communicate at least the following to the terminal

  • When all fast to the pier
  • When customs formalities are complete
  • When transfer hoses have been connected
  • When tank inspection is complete
  • Acknowledgement of all communications received from the terminal
  • When the ship is ready to begin discharging cargo
  • When cargo pumps are started or stopped (naming cargo grade)
  • When transfer rate is increased to full rate
  • When the watch is changed in the CCR and on deck
  • Any problems with mooring lines, cargo hoses/arms or the shore gangway
  • Reduction of pumping rate for changing tanks or tank stripping
  • Resumption of full pumping rate
  • Advice when discharge of a grade of cargo is completed
  • Hourly advice of the discharging pressure and temperature at the ship’s manifold and rate at which cargo is being transferred
  • Advice to stand by on receiving a fire detection, as detection, or other significant alarm; followed by advice to shut down if a fire is found, or to continue transfer if the alarm is false
  • Advice of setting or changing the sailing time of the vessel
  • Advice and time that pilots and tugs have been ordered
  • Advice that the ship intends to begin ballasting (SBT)
  • Advice that the ship is ready for tank inspection/ROB measurement
  • Advice that the ship will begin ballasting (CBT)
  • Advice that the ship is ready to drain and disconnect hoses
  • Time that hoses are disconnected
  • Time that all crew members are on board
  • Time that vessel will begin testing radars and main engine for departure
  • Time that tank inspection/ROB calculation is complete
  • Time that cargo documentation is complete.

    3.4 Terminal-to-ship communications while discharging
    Communications procedure
    Each communication between the shore terminal and the ship must begin with the identification of the station being called and the identity of the calling station, just as if it were a marine traffic call on bridge-to-bridge VHF. Consistent application of this radio discipline will ensure that there is no confusion between ships and different berths in the same terminal or same port area.

    Communication objective
    The objective of good terminal-ship communications is a steady flow of exchange which focuses the operators on the status of the ship and the next event likely to occur.

    Communication difficulties – Phrase sheet
    When there are language difficulties between the terminal and the ship, the cargo watch officer on the ship must be provided with a phrase sheet of the terms and orders to be used in the shore’s language and corresponding translations in his own language. This arrangement is a poor substitute for adequate language fluency between shore and ship and it should only be used as a last resort. A crew member should be stationed at the ship’s manifold to watch the shore operator. He should confirm the operator’s actions in response to request by the ship’s cargo officer.

    Communication amount
    The amount of communication from the shore will be provided if the chief officer makes clear during the pre-transfer conference that it is both expected and essential and if during the transfer operation the ship provides a corresponding amount of information as indicated below.

    Communication contents
    The shore terminal should provide to the ship the following
    • Advice of when they will be ready to connect hoses
    • Advice when the shore valve is open and they are ready to receive cargo (grade)
    • Advice that cargo (grade) is being received on hose/manifold No
    • Acknowledgement of all communications received from the ship
    • Advice regarding the condition of the moorings and/or gangway
    • Hourly readings of the transfer rate, total quantity delivered by ship and ship’s draft readings forward and aft (if they can be conveniently observed)
    • Advice if cargo transfer must be stopped for any reason
    • Advice of a fire in the terminal
    • Advice of any communications or parcels received for delivery to the vessel
    • Weather advice received
    • Advice of the arrival of visitors, or of returning crew members who appear to be intoxicated.