Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited

Navigation Checklist – Checks for Suez Canal Transit

NORTH BOUND TRANSIT

1 day prior arrival North Bound
Check
S.no. Item Date / Initial
1 Function test of both manifold cranes / Provision crane.
2 Check condition of boat painters.
Prepare all port paperwork, FAO/Nominated officer deals with all Port Officals and
3
Agents normally at Suez bay anchorage
4 Arrange reliefs to board / Security personnel to disembark at Suez bay anchorage
5 Open doors and Test Suez Light.
6 Have wind sock rigged. (Small Flag).
7 Prepare Flags.
Prepare 3 nos - Master / Pilot information sheets and 2 nos - Checklists for standby (1 for
8
arrival Suez Anchorage and 1 for departure Suez Anchorage)
9 Suez transit meeting with all officer’s and watch keepers
10 Prepare 2 ropes forward and aft each for tugs, turn on bitts and flake on deck.
11 Prepare 1 messenger line at each Manifold Port and Starboard for Suez mooring boats
12 Remove razor wire from fairleads that would be required for tugs and mooring
13 Remove covers from mooring rope drums, in case needed for mooring in the canal.
Check Suez canal cabin clean and tidy (remove all lifejackets and immersion suits from
14
the Suez cabin)
15 Prepare Pilot Cabin and 1 extra cabin if needed for Electrician.
16 Obtain canal weather and visibility forecast from Agents
Day of arrival North Bound
Check
Sno. Item Date / Initial
01 Rig Both Boat Painters
02 Rig both Accommodation Ladders and test.
03 Unlash anchors – ensure ready for letting go.
04 Rig Fire Hose for washing anchor cable.
05 Ensure all external store rooms / doors locked as required.
06 Keep Evictor canons / Dummies in place, stow after completion of transit.
07 No overtime work unless vital, to ensure no NC for Hours of Work.
Electrician stays in Suez Canal Cabin, no cabin allocated. (As he is an Officer grade, at
08
times, this can be problematic. Please ensure 1 cabin is ready for him)
09 Make Cranes ready with guide ropes for hooks
Chief Officer assigned to deck duties on day work to monitor all deck preparations and will
be available for call out at anytime during transit especially on change of pilots where the
10
bridge manning must never be compromised and an officer is required to monitor pilot
boarding. FAO if carried can also be used for pilot exchange if required
Following must be assigned duties for transit in DWP: Machinists – crane operators for
Suez boats, Oilers/ OS – 3rd man for Security watches / assist with boats, EEO standby for
11
Suez light testing with electrician, FAO/Chief Officer assigned to lock all common spaces
inside accommodation
Be prepared to receive mooring boats at the anchorage (not a normal occurrence but has
12
happened in the past
13 FAO/ Nominated Officer to deal with Canal Inspector and Agent at Anchorage.
14 Carry out Crew change / disembarking of security team and weapons at Anchorage
15 De-brief Galley staff – extra meals / keep galley & mess rooms locked when un-attended
16 Check VDR and make sure that entire Suez canal transit is recorded
Day of transit

STASCO-STS/2: REPORTING & RECORDING MANUAL ISSUE DATE: JANUARY 2018

FORM 450 PAGE 1 OF 4
Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited
Navigation Checklist – Checks for Suez Canal Transit

Check
Sno. Item Date / Initial

01 Verify weather and visibility conditions for Suez Canal transit.

All common spaces locked including cable / pipe ducts, recreation rooms / laundries /
02
library, CCR / Ship’s office etc.- FAO/Nominated Officer in charge
After heaving anchor, tug ropes to be lowered to 2 m above the water with 20m slack on
03
deck.
Ensure no work assigned on deck (especially Cargo Engineer) where the bridge will need to
04
be called repeatedly or have any alarms as a distraction to their Navigation duties
Assign OS / Oilers to accompany Suez Boatmen when they go for smoke/meals.(If
05 sufficient personnel available one security watch keeper with a radio to carry out continuous
rounds in the accommodation)
Suez North Bound Convoy
 Details of Convoy transmitted between (0000-0400LT) note all vessels position in Convoy and give
notices / call out all personnel accordingly.
 Commence Heaving Anchor when Port Control instructs you to have 2 shackles on deck for Pilot
Boarding time. Normally, pilot boards at anchor, but be prepared to weigh anchor and proceed
without pilot towards the Newton Rock channel. Pilot always boards prior to channel.
 Pilot normally boards by Accommodation ladder. If weather is bad, they may request for pilot
ladder. (Normally Starboard side for north bound transits).
 Change of Pilot (Port Taufiq - canal Entrance) / Boats / Electrician.
 Pilot change at Ismalia.
 Full ahead required when departing, and if vessel ahead is well clear, can increase RPM. Be aware
of cross current when clearing the breakwater (2 or 3 degrees of set not uncommon) - increase
speed as soon as pilot is away to counter this cross current (Normally 11~12 knots is sufficient).
Also, please note that the Buoyage changes from Red to Green as soon as you exit the Canal into
the buoyed channel. Beware of fishing boats.

Note: It is good practice during transit to have an AIS display up one on each ECDIS for the vessel ahead
and vessel astern with continuous update selected on each target. This will give you their distances and
speeds giving early warning for own vessel to take action. Beware that Radar targets may swap.

Always endeavour to arrive at anchorage earliest in the day to maximise rest periods prior to the transit.

SOUTH BOUND TRANSIT

STASCO-STS/2: REPORTING & RECORDING MANUAL ISSUE DATE: JANUARY 2018

FORM 450 PAGE 2 OF 4
Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited
Navigation Checklist – Checks for Suez Canal Transit

1 day prior arrival South Bound

Check
Sno. Item Date / Initial
1 Function test of both manifold cranes / port provision crane.
2 Check condition of boat painters.
3 Prepare all port paperwork, FAO/Nominated deals with all Port Officials and Agents.
4 If rigging Razor wire, keep all fairleads clear.
5 Rig Evictor canons / Dummies.
6 Open doors and Test Suez Light.
7 Have wind sock rigged. (Small Flag).
8 Prepare Flags.
Prepare 3 nos - Master / Pilot information sheets and 3 nos - Checklists for standby (1 for
9
arrival Port Said, 1 for departure Port Said, 1 for departure Bitter lakes)
10 Suez transit meeting with all officer’s and watch keepers
11 Prepare 2 ropes forward and aft each for tugs, turn on bitts and flake on deck.
12 Prepare 1 messenger line at each Manifold Port and Starboard for Suez mooring boats
13 Remove covers from mooring rope drums, in case needed for mooring in the canal.
Check Suez canal cabin clean and tidy (remove all lifejackets and immersion suits from
14
the Suez cabin)
Prepare Pilot Cabin and 1 extra cabin if needed for Electrician. (In addition prepare all
15 empty cabins that will be assigned to the Security team if required who will board on
exiting the Canal)
16 Obtain canal weather and visibility forecast from Agents
Day of arrival South Bound
Check
Sno. Item Date / Initial
01 Rig Both Boat Painters
02 Rig both Accommodation Ladders and test.
03 Unlash anchors – ensure ready for letting go.
04 Rig Fire Hose for washing anchor cable.
05 Ensure all external store rooms / doors locked as required.
06 No overtime work unless vital, to ensure no NC for Hours of Work.
07 Electrician stays in (Cabin), Please ensure 1 cabin is ready for him
08 Make Cranes ready with guide ropes for hooks
Chief Officer assigned to deck duties on day work to monitor all deck preparations and will
be available for call out at anytime during transit especially on change of pilots where the
09
bridge manning must never be compromised and an officer is required to monitor pilot
boarding. FAO if carried can also be used for pilot exchange if required.
Following must be assigned duties for transit in DWP: Machinists – crane operators for
Suez boats, Oilers / OS – 3rd man for Security watches / assist with boats, EEO standby for
10
Suez light testing with electrician, FAO/Nominated Officer assigned to lock all common
spaces inside accommodation
11 De-brief Galley staff – extra meals / keep galley & mess rooms locked when un-attended
12 Check VDR and make sure that entire Suez canal transit is recorded

Day of transit

STASCO-STS/2: REPORTING & RECORDING MANUAL ISSUE DATE: JANUARY 2018

FORM 450 PAGE 3 OF 4
Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited
Navigation Checklist – Checks for Suez Canal Transit

Check
Sno. Item Date / Initial
01 Verify weather and visibility conditions for Suez Canal transit.
All common spaces locked including cable / pipe ducts, recreation rooms / laundries /
02
library, CCR / Ship’s office etc.- FAO/Nominated Officer in charge
After heaving anchor, tug ropes to be lowered to 2 m above the water with 20m slack on
03
deck.
Ensure no work assigned on deck (especially Cargo Engineer) where the bridge will need to
04
be called repeatedly or have any alarms as a distraction to their Navigation duties
Assign OS / Oilers to accompany Suez Boatmen when they go for smoke/meals.(If
05 sufficient personnel available one security watch keeper with a radio to carry out continuous
rounds in the accommodation)
Suez South Bound Convoy
 Details of Convoy transmitted between (0000-0400 LT) note all vessels position in Convoy and give
notices / call out all personnel accordingly.
 Port Control advises to heave up to 2 shackles on deck and await further instructions. Pilot seldom
joins at anchor. He actually joins either on way to channel or when in the channel past breakwater.
 Be aware of other vessels movements and often require calling other ships to advise your
intentions, maintain about 2.0 miles behind the vessel in front of you in the convoy. Port Control
also gives their instructions.
 Pilot normally boards by Accommodation ladder. If weather is bad, they may request for pilot ladder
 At the same time be prepared for the electrician, boats, agent & Canal inspector – all personnel
including the FAO, if carried, to be standby
 Pilot change at Ismalia.
 Anchoring is possible but no longer necessary at the Great Bitter Lake. Convoy order remains
same as at start of convoy
 Pilots / boats / electrician off at South End of Canal. Prepare cranes as required) and be prepared
to on sign the Security team (if required, No weapons).
 FAO/Nominated officer to be standby on the deck to sign agent’s papers. Pilot departs prior to
Newton Rock channel or earlier if weather is an issue.
 Once clear of the Channel increase to Maximum speed to avoid on coming container vessels and
report as required to VTS.
Note: It is good practice during transit to have an AIS display up one on each ECDIS for the vessel ahead
and vessel astern with continuous update selected on each target. This will give you their distances and
speeds giving early warning for own vessel to take action. Beware that Radar targets may swap.
Always endeavour to arrive anchorage earliest in the day to maximise rest periods prior to the transit.
Additional Ship Specific Checks
Check
Sno. Item Date / Initial
01
02
03
04

STASCO-STS/2: REPORTING & RECORDING MANUAL ISSUE DATE: JANUARY 2018

FORM 450 PAGE 4 OF 4