Practical Shipboard Training Guide

Rank: Chief Officer onboard IDSM Bulk/Log Carrier

A. Objective of training:

1. To improve the quality of cargo operations, reduce losses due to cargo claims, improve loss time
statistics, improve crew quality by rigorous onboard training, undertake proper maintenance of
the ship and its equipment (deck) thereby reducing loss of asset value and to supervise the
junior officers in order they can carry out their responsibilities in a professional manner. To give
strong support to master during shipboard emergencies. Being the Safety Officer of the ship he is
a key person who can monitor, control and improve the loss time injury frequency of the crew.

2. It is also observed that at times the maintenance condition of the ship and the deck machinery is
not upto required international standards.

3. Improve the housekeeping, upkeep and maintenance of Log Lashing material, their steel tags
and original certifications.

4. Improve the housekeeping, upkeep and maintenance of crane, lifeboat davit, rescue boat davit,
gangways, pilot combination ladders, provision crane wires and mooring lines.

5. By this training guide it is desired that there will be improvement in quality of Chief Officers work
output which will result in marked reduction in the vessel downtime, cargo and maintenance
related losses and thereby PSCI/FSI/Audit deficiencies.

6. Improve KPIs thus makes ships more attractive in the commercial market.

7. This vertical approach towards training will improve the quality of the deck officers from the root
as a better trained Chief Officer will become a highly professional Captain who will be an asset to
IDSM.

B. Data required for training:

1. Willingness on the part of the Chief Officer to participate whole heartedly in this training.

2. Copies of Charter Party, Statement of Compliance for Solid Bulk Cargoes, Document of
Compliance for Dangerous Goods.

3. List of Deck machinery with specific manufacturer’s manual.

4. List of inventories for stores under his charge.

5. Loadicator training.

6. SMMS (Shipboard Maintenance and Management System) training.

8. Very thorough knowledge of IMSBC Code, Thomas Stowage and Hold cleaning equipment and
chemicals.

9. Thorough knowledge for making cargo stowage plans and loading sequence designed for
optimum lift.

10. Very thorough knowledge of life saving and fire-fighting appliances and their operation and
maintenance.

C. Time for Executing: 1.0 month with possibility of extension upon request.

D. Reporting requirements:

1. Daily reports to be sent to Technical Director and DPA.

2. Reports to be verified by Master.

E. Training program details:

1. Upon joining the Chief Officer should present all his documents to master for safe keeping.

2. He must obtain copies of the documents listed in B2 and B3 from Master.

3. He should then start taking over from outgoing Chief Officer and must check the current status
of the entire ship and its equipment paying special attention to the condition of the holds, hold
cleaning equipment, log lashings, wires and mooring ropes. He should also check the status of
requisitions and must be remembered that stores are supplied quarterly basis so requisitions
must be accordingly raised.

4. In the first 7 days the Chief Officer must familiarize himself with ship’s equipment, his personal
LSA/FFA and his other work responsibilities as allocated by Master like any port paperwork etc.

5. The Chief Officer should verify the actual log lashing equipment with the inventory and log
lashing plan & certificates. If any gaps are identified, then these must be reported to master and
IDSM and efforts put in place to rectify them in the next 15 days to 1 month so that the all the
log lashing and other equipment on board are maintained to required standard.

a. The gaps which are identified must be recorded, compared with delivery challans/invoices
and then discussed with the Master.

b. Once it is sure the identified gaps (either shortage or excess or wrong equipment) do exist
these must be reported to office.
 c. When the individual equipment is checked it must be compared with manufacturer manual,
SOLAS, ship certification and plans to ensure correct items are on board.

d. Once the gaps are discussed and a final status on them agreed then during the next visit by
Class surveyor must be verified and endorsed by Class surveyor on the required document
so the documents remain most updated and latest from which future checks on board can
be undertaken.

6. He must ensure that the various stores under his charge are well cleaned and maintained with
very high standard of housekeeping. It must be realized that the stevedores working on deck
immediately inform PSCOs even if minor defects are sighted on deck which results in strict and
more detailed inspections by PSCOs. This is not uncommon in countries like Australia , Canada
and USA.

7. All log lashing to be thoroughly checked and compared with log lashing plan and last inventory.
The tags and certificates for the log lashing to well maintained. All log lashing should meet TP
2534e standards.

8. Effectively plan and oversee maintenance of hull, decks, superstructure, accommodation, cargo
spaces, deck and cargo machinery. To ensure that the vessel is always in a seaworthy, safe and
efficient condition.

9. Plan and carry out survey related maintenance in time to ensure vessel remains in Class.

10. To train the junior officers and ratings as a routine and also based on the feedback in their
appraisal reports. The objective of this training is that staff are aware of safe working practices
and can undertake their duties in an environmentally friendly manner.

11. The Chief Officer is in-charge of cadet training programme and therefore must take charge of
cadets and their training books and material to ensure cadet will dedicatedly follow it.

12. It must be ensured that the details and maintenance of the ship and its equipment under the
charge of the Chief officer is entered in the ship’s SMMS program to ensure proper record
keeping and follow up on maintenance matters.

13. The Chief Officer is responsible for ensuring that:

a. The maintenance of all safety, fire fighting and life saving appliances equipment onboard is
carried out and such LSA & FFA equipment are kept in a state of Operational Readiness.

b. The maintenance of all cargo gear and log lashing gear is carried out as per PMS schedules.

c. All accidents and dangerous occurrences are reported and investigated and, where
appropriate, preventive action recommended.
 d. Risk Assessment and “Tool Box” meetings are done for all daily maintenance jobs and cargo
operations, minimizing hazards, non-conformities and accidents.

14. When the shore based maintenance is coming due, timely requests must be sent to office and
when any servicing is taking place on board then to monitor service technicians to ensure proper
and complete service is done. It must be verified that the shore service certificates are correct
and no errors exist. If there is any doubt on the certificate specially on the spares being used
these must be verified with service technician on spot and IDSM must be informed immediately
prior the vessel leaves the port so that responsibility can be established with the service
company.

15. When requisitions are raised it must be ensured that the requisition is based on the actual item
required and not on past requisitions. Check the items immediately when received and if still
unusable due to wrong supply by supplier then it must be returned and office updated
immediately.

16. Chief officers are required to learn from the Master to ensure his readiness to take-over Master's
role in case of the Master's incapacity or absence.

17. Deadline to complete the checks and restore the correct status of log lashings, deck equipment
and machineries is within 15 days to 1 month. During this period daily reports must be
submitted to NKG + RSHU and Master must verify the report before sending. If any extension to
deadline is required then same can be requested but on a case by case basis.

F. 0.5 day – 1.0 day training should be imparted to trainees on the above.

G. Flag State requirements copy for LSA/FFA maintenance and surveys for the particular ship must
be handed over to attendees by IDSM Training Centre as part of the above training.