Session 8: RORO Ships

Question 1

Name me a few features about roro ships

Answer 1

-high freeboard
-forward bridge
-continuous open deck
-ramps
-movable decks

Question 2

What does short international voyages refer to on roro ships?

Answer 2

1-A short international voyage refers to a journey where a vessel remains within 200 nautical miles of a port or location where passengers and crew can be safely placed.

2-The total distance between the last port of call in the country in which the voyage began and the final port of destination does not exceed 600 nautical miles.

Question 3

What is a long international voyage?

Answer 3

An international voyage that is not a short international voyage. More than 600 nautical miles.

Question 4

What equipment is required to meet the operational needs of a RORO ship?

Answer 4

-ramps and linkspans

Question 5

what information is available on a roro cargo plan?

Answer 5

-Ship’s particular e.g. ship’s name, IMO number
-Voyage info: Voyage number, Port loading/unloading, shipping agents
-total number of vehicles and weight
-Number of dangerous goods vehicles (including weight and classes) highlighting their locations on the plan
-stability info: final drafts, GM, SF(Sheering force), BM(Bending moment)
-birds of eye view of each deck highlighting vehicles according to discharge sequence as well as driving routes
-side view of ship’s vehicle decks

Question 6

How does roro passenger loading works?

Answer 6

-Vehicles board the vessel via a bow or stern ramp

-Ramp is adjustable so that it can be kept in contact with the jetty(structure connected to load and unload) at all times

-vehicles must be submitted to a security check prior to boarding

-cars and vehicles are allocated to special car parks and the loading order is planned in advance

-some dangerous substances may not be carried on passenger ferries

Question 7

what publications would you refer to for the securing of heavy vehicles?

Answer 7

-heavy goods, vehicles and buses will be secured with lashing as per the RORO Code of Practice and the vessel’s cargo securing manual
-MGN 418 Rollon/roll off ships stowage and securing of vehicles
-MGN 621- RORO guidance for stowage and securing of vehicles
-IMO cargo stowage and securing code (CSS)

Question 8

What is the best angle of lashing?

Answer 8

45 degrees, between 30 and 60

Question 9

based the on the lasing rule, A cargo weighs 40 tonnes and you have chain lashings each with a breaking strength of 10 tonnes. How many lashings should be taken on each side?

Answer 9

8 lashings on each side, total of 16 lashings(total lashings on each side of the cargo will be twice the weight of the cargo)

Question 10

What should you do to the air suspension of cars before departing?

Answer 10

Deactivation of Air Suspension

-the ship’s movements due to waves, swells, or manoeuvres can cause vehicles to bounce or move. If a vehicle adjusts its height in response to these movements, it might slacken or tighten the lashings unexpectedly.

Question 11

How do the cars need to be stowed on the deck?

Answer 11

-Vehicles should be aligned in fore and aft direction
-Vehicles parking brake on and in gear
-Vehicles should be secured before vessel leaving berth

Question 12

As the OOW what should you do when they are stowing and securing the vehicles?

Answer 12

-Stowing and securing should be supervised by a responsible ship’s officer assisted by another competent person

-Crew members must wear easily identifiable clothing along with safety gear and must be trained in passenger handling

-During passage inspect lashings regularly

-lashings should only be released once the vessel is secured at the berth

Question 13

What are 5 things to do for the stability of roro ships?

Answer 13

-the stability of the vessel must be considered at all stages of loading
-most vessels have double bottom ballast tanks which may be filled
-large vehicles are weighted before boarding
-water ingress into the vehicle decks is a serious problem(free surface effect)
-All open spaces to be sealed. Bow and Stern doors secured before departure

Question 14

What are some dangers of roro vessels?

Answer 14

-High freeboard and high windage area

-loading heavy vehicle on upper deck resulting higher KG(center of gravity), which reduces overall GM of the vessel

-Bad weather vessel rolling heavily which may generate units shifting

Question 15

What are the requirements for the ventilation on roro ships?

Answer 15

-Vehicle space must be ventilated by means of a ventilation system which changes the air 10 times every hour for ships carrying more than 36 passengers

-6 changes per hour if less than 36 passengers

-the administration may require an increased number of air changes during loading and unloading

Question 16

Prior to sailing, what should you check as the OOW?

Answer 16

-loading ramps are raised and the bow or stern visor lowered in order to maintain the watertight integrity of the vessel

-OOW must check the lashings of all parked vehicles as well as other cargos

-secure all loose gear from vehicle decks

-indicators are provided on the bridge and the engine room, to ensure that a vessel does not leave the berth without the above being properly secured

-Some ships now don’t even start the engine if the doors are not properly sealed

Question 17

What does SOLAS chapter 3 requires?

Answer 17

-Briefing before or immediately after departure on P.A(public announcement) system
-to include: instructions to be followed in an emergency
-in one or more languages likely to be understood by the passengers
-putting on life jacket instructions

Question 18

During the passage, what should be checked?

Answer 18

-crew members make frequent visits to the vehicle decks to verify that all is well with regard to lashings

-passengers are not permitted on the vehicle during the voyage

Question 19

Which type of voyage require medical facilities on a roro ship?

Answer 19

-ferries engaged in short international voyage do not require to carry medical staff because they are in the range of helicopters

-medical emergency. Ship engaged in short international voyage is always within the range of helicopter assistance

Question 20

When a RoRo vessel is about to enter heavy weather, what are certain precautions and procedures that must be followed?

Answer 20

1. Preparation: Secure all vehicles, cargo, and equipment on decks to prevent shifting. Close and secure all watertight and weather-tight doors.
2. Route Alteration: If possible, adjust the course and speed to minimize the impact of the heavy weather, seeking to avoid the worst conditions.
3. Stability: Manage ballast to optimize stability, ensuring the vessel isn’t too stiff or too tender.
4. Monitoring: Continuously monitor weather forecasts and sea conditions. Keep a lookout for any changes in cargo stability or water ingress.
5. Crew Safety: Inform the crew, minimize personnel exposure on deck, and ensure everyone wears appropriate safety gear.
6. Engine Readiness: Keep engines and steering gear on standby for maneuvering.

Question 21

When operating power-operated watertight doors, the “Code of Safe Working Practices” (CoSWP) outlines several key procedures to enhance safety

Answer 21

1. Training: Only trained and authorized personnel should operate power-operated watertight doors.
2. Regular Checks: Perform routine inspections to ensure functionality, especially before voyage.
3. No Obstruction: Keep doorways clear of obstructions. Doors should be fully opened or closed, never left partially open.
4. Warning Signals: Heed all warning signals (audible or visual) before doors begin to close.
5. Safe Passage: Ensure no one is passing through a door while it’s moving. Wait until the door is completely stopped.
6. Emergency Mode: Understand the emergency operation (manual mode) in case of power failure.
7. Reporting: Report defects immediately, and do not operate defective doors.

Question 22

Safety and security procedures during deck watch on board a RORO ship during cargo operations

Answer 22

1. Restricted Access: Limit deck access to authorized personnel only.
2. PPE Compliance: Ensure everyone on deck wears appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
3. Monitor Operations: Keep a close watch on cargo handling, ensuring adherence to safe practices.
4. Emergency Readiness: Have emergency protocols accessible, and equipment ready and operational.
5. Communication: Maintain clear lines of communication between the deck, bridge, and cargo handling personnel.
6. Security Vigilance: Monitor for any security threats, restricting unauthorized access or suspicious activity.
7. Reporting: Immediately report safety concerns or security breaches to the officer in charge.