Checks to Perform on Ship before Coming out of the Dry Dock

Dry dock is like a routine health check up for ships so that they live a long and healthy life. Dry dock schedule of every ship is laid down by the administration and every ship owner and operator has to follow the rules.

As much important it is to check conditions required for entering a dry dock, so much important it is to consider checks need to be done before the dock is flooded and ship is taken out of the dry dock. Let’s find out the exact procedure to be followed on a ship coming out of the dry dock.

dry dock procedure

It is extremely important to maintain a checklist of things and procedure to be done before undocking and not to miss any vital point which will lead to delay in undocking.

Following things must be checked by a responsible engineer and deck officers before water is filled up in the dock:

  • All Departments in charge to confirm that repairs assigned under their departments are completed successful with tests and surveys are carried out
  • Check rudder plug and vent and also check if anode are fitted back on rudder
  • Check hull for proper coating of paint; make sure no TBT based paint is used.
  • Check Anodes are fitted properly on hull and cover removed (if ICCP is not installed)
  • Check all double bottom tank plugs are secured
  • Check all sea inlets and sea chests gratings are fitted
  • Check echo sounder and logs are fitted and covers removed
  • Check of propeller and rudder are clear from any obstruction
  • Check if anchor and anchor chain is secured on board
  • Check inside the ship all repaired overboard valve are in place
  • Secure any moving item inside the ship
  • Check sounding of all tank and match them with the value obtain prior entering the dry dock
  • Check stability and trim of the ship. Positive GM should be maintained at all time
  • If there is any load shift or change in stability, inform  the dock master
  • Go through the checklist again and satisfactory checklist to be signed by Master
  • Master to sign authority for Flood Certificate
  • When flooding reaches overboard valve level, stop it and check all valves and stern tube for leaks
  • Instruction to every crew member to be vigilant while un-docking

You may also like to read – What is Extended Dry-Docking of Ships?

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5 Comments

  1. Thanks for the heads up on the topic! I’m looking for a question about ICCP.
    Is it necessary to keep an ICCP switched off for some days/weeks after dry docking? Some one warned me, that switched on soon after undocking it may damage the new layers of protection coating?

  2. A comment for Artem. You are correct! You should discuss with ICCP Maker or Representative… my understanding is that system should be back in service after few days of coating application to ensure complete adherence… I suggest system manual be referred to for a meaningful guidance and/or Maker be contacted.

  3. Greetings from Australia. Gentlemen i find your website a fantastic tool, full of information on many interesting topics. I am a Marine Lecturer with the Australian Maritime and Fisheries Academy and with your permission i would like to use some of your information in construction of my learning programs. Your presentations are very easy on the eye and easy to understand. I hope this message finds you all in good health,

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