Heavy weather: Safety Precautions

What is Heavy weather

As per Navigation & Bridge Procedures manual / Definitions:

• Beaufort force 6 of above

• Wave / swell height of more than 3 meters.
How to monitor heavy weather:
• Discussion & guidance by Master / Chief Officer.
Ship’s routeing during heavy weather:
• 2nd Officer / Master to discuss routing options during heavy weather esp high
latitudes.
• Role of shore weather routing service.
• Frequency of weather reports.
• C/E or 1AE to discuss speed consideration on passage and during heavy weather.
Preparation for Heavy weather:
1. Discuss pertinent points from:
• VO45 – Navigating in Heavy weather
• VT134 – Permit to work on deck during adverse weather.

2. Following RA to be reviewed:
• 2.29 – Working on deck during heavy weather
• 3.26 – Bunkering during heavy weather
• 6.03 – Use of heavy weather ballast
• 9.05 – Navigation in heavy weather.
Working on deck during heavy weather:
Code of safe working practices for merchant seaman on deck work in heavy
weather:
• Necessity of work (i.e. can it wait until daylight, next port, do the risks outweigh
the benefits?)
• Availability of rescue and emergency medical care if things go wrong
• Adjust vessel course and speed
• Permit to work and company checklist completed
• Rigging lifelines
• Lifejacket with safety harness & Adequate PPE
• Deck illumination
• Communication with bridge & Visual contact from bridge
• Working in (at least) pairs
• Use of bridge searchlight to determine predominate wave direction at night. In
restricted visibility or darkness, radar may be used to determine the predominant
wave direction
• Be aware that even in a regular wave pattern, rogue waves can exist, which can
vary in direction and size from the regular wave pattern being experienced –
whistle signal to be agreed to alert deck team.
• ALWAYS plan for and expect, the unexpected.
Case study from fleet:
Discuss following:

1. Safety alert 01/2020

2. Advisory QHSE 14/2020.
Thank you!