What to Do When the Ship is Moving towards Sub Zero Temperature Area?
Ships plying in international waters have to travel to remotest areas of the world, irrespective of weather conditions and that too in limited amount of time. This makes the ship travel through sudden changes of climatic conditions, for e.g. a ship after passing through hot African Continent can enter freezing waters of Europe within few days.
Because of this, ship and its equipment also experience drastic temperature changes. Vessel equipments and machineries are installed with special systems so as to allow them to work in the harshest conditions. However, the operator, i.e. seafarers on board ship must take all the precautions especially when the ship is about to enter sub zero temperature regions.
Various precautions to be taken at deck and engine when the ship is about to enter sub zero temperature areas are:
Deck Precautions
- The navigational information that is received by the bridge should be well analysed for safe navigation from ice
- The navigation officer must recognise different types of sea ice forms
- All navigation and communication equipment must be approved type and should work at sub zero temperature.
- All the hydraulic machineries and winches to be operated to avoid freezing of oil.
- All the heaters in the hydraulic system to be switched on.
- Take sounding of all the fresh water and ballast tank prior entering cold region.
- Sounding to be taken at regular interval when plying in sub zero regions to identify any damage or leak from tank due to ice.
- Start ballast sea chest heating, if required.
- Lifeboat drinking water to be taken out and stored at desired place or a crew assigned to bring water during emergency.
- Cold starting system of lifeboat to be kept ready.
- Add anti freeze in jacket water of lifeboat engine.
- All cargo line and other lines on deck must be fully drained after use.
- PV breaker and deck seal in oil tanker to be added with antifreeze compound.
- All greased equipment to be cleared off old grease and fresh anti freezing grease to be applied.
- All the opening from deck to the accommodation must be kept close at all times.
- Crew to be instructed to clear ice from deck equipments at regular intervals.
Engine room precautions
- All cargo tank and fuel tank heating to be opened.
- Take Soundings of all tanks prior to entering and after that in regular intervals.
- Add anti freeze in jacket water, piston cooling water, emergency generator etc.
- Any steam coil not in use must be drained and drain kept open.
- Sky light to be closed and ventilation to be reduced, to avoid cold air effect on control and gauging system.
- Sea water circulation and temperature settings to be checked.
- Sea chest heating to be opened.
- Monitor all the pressure parameters in the engine room.
- Open tracing steam where required.
- Recirculate hot water in fresh water tank and its level to be kept below 90%.
- Temperature in fuel oil tank to be maintained and level to be kept below 90%.
- Lube and heavy oil purifier to be run continuously to maintain oil temperature.
- Heaters in the engine room, CO2 room, bow thrusters room and steering room to be switched on.
- Emergency fire p/p drains to be kept open with notice display.
- All air lines in the engine room kept moisture free by frequent draining and control air drier to always run.
- One generator to be kept standby in diesel oil.
- Oily water separator to be kept drain of water.
- Open heating sewage holding tank.
- If power pack is provided, add antifreeze and take all cold weather precaution as given by maker.
Personal Precaution
- Safe working condition to be explained to the crew.
- Hypothermia and cold burn and their precaution to be understood.
- Limit exposure time for outside work.
- Adequate warm clothing and eye protection for snow blindness.
- Crew to take care of their room temperature by switching on heaters and closing port holes at all times.
References: dnv
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Disclaimer :
The information on this website is for general purposes only. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, we make no warranties of any kind regarding completeness, reliability, or suitability. Any reliance you place on such information is at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of this website.
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The article on “various precautions to be taken at deck and engine when the ship is about to enter sub zero temperature areas” was very informative.
I would add that based on these guidelines a vessel specific checklist should be prepared with clear mention of valves etc to be shut/open, Start/Stop procedures for hydraulic machinery etc and the ships crew adequately briefed before entering these zones, this will ensure smooth operation of the vessel.
A useful reminder about being prepared.
To add, consider how the accomodation is heated – do the heating coils work, does the humidity control work (the air will be very dry after heating possibly causing general discomfort to the crew). Any water tanks not at least partly below the waterline may freeze, plan de-ballasting for forepeak tanks in advance if essential for trim control when in port. Un-insulated decks in the accomodation may freeze, as may external pipework. Poorly insulated deckheads may build with frozen moisture then melt when the ship returns to warmer climates – a potential problem if this is the bridge deckhead or other control space.
Consider what will happen if the oil fired boiler fails when in port, have basic burner spares onboard.
The fire main and valves on deck may freeze, prepare procedures for isolating and tackling deck fires when isolated.
Entering ice is another matter.
Thanks for this article. It is very useful to be reminded of the various actions to be taken in these circumstances.
some extra points can be added to the list, like:
– making an inventory of items needed to clear the vessel of ice/snow, like road salt, wooden hammers, snow shovels, sand
– starting up the winches and pumps for the hatches well before use
– the use of sand on the rails/coamings before opening or closing of the hatches
@EricVan der weele: These are great additions. Really appreciate your support.
What about lsa,ffa equipments how to take care of that , life buoy portable extinguishers could you please explain