Seaworthiness

Question 1

One of the primary responsibilities of the Chief Officer is to ensure the seaworthiness of the vessel.

There is an obligation on the master of the ship and ‘every agent charged with -

Answer 1

i) the loading of the ship
ii) the preparing of the ship for sea
iii) the sending of the ship to sea

Question 2

shall use all reasonable means to ensure the seaworthiness of the ship for the voyage at the time when the voyage commences and to keep the ship in seaworthy condition for the voyage during the voyage.’ Merchant Shipping Act 1995 -42

Answer 2

shall use all reasonable means to ensure the seaworthiness of the ship for the voyage at the time when the voyage commences and to keep the ship in seaworthy condition for the voyage during the voyage.’ Merchant Shipping Act 1995 -42

Question 3

Some of the activities conducted by the Chief Officer to achieve this will include:

Answer 3

Ensuring the cargo is loaded and secured correctly
Ensuring the vessel has adequate stability for the planned voyage
Ensuring the vessel can maintain its watertight integrity

Question 4

The evidence that these tasks have been completed include:

Answer 4

Loading / lashing plans
Ship stability criteria / departure and arrival draughts
Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate / Passenger Ship Safety Certificate
Planned maintainance system

Question 5

What does seaworthiness mean to you

Answer 5

Cargo stowed as per cargo securing manual

Stability checked as per intact stability criteria
noted drafts, and visible

LSA and FFE properly maintained and all certificates in date

Properly manned as per safemanning certificate

No defects with propulsion, power, steering, etc

Charts updated as per chart maintenance system and passage properly planned