(www.MaritimeCyprus.com) When a ship encounters rough weather, time is critical. Whether you receive a detailed warning or are suddenly hit by severe conditions, the safety of the vessel depends on the crew's knowledge, training, skills, and teamwork. Seafarers must be prepared to act fast and correctly to secure the ship with minimal delay.

I. Steering and Bridge Control

These steps ensure you maintain maximum control over the ship's direction and have sufficient personnel on the bridge.

Switch to Manual Steering: In open seas, vessels usually run on auto-pilot. In rough weather, immediately switch to hand/manual control to prevent the rudder from "hunting" (excessive, automatic corrections) and causing stress on the gear.

Boost Steering Gear Power: If only one steering motor is active, switch on the other motor and run both simultaneously. This provides the maximum available torque needed to turn the rudder against heavy seas.

Inspect the Steering Gear: Send a crew member to the steering room to check all oil levels, linkages, and critical parameters to ensure it's functioning optimally.

Staff the Bridge: Ensure there is sufficient manpower, including senior officers, present on the bridge to manage the situation and coordinate with other departments.

II. Engine and Machinery Management

The engine room must be manned and the propulsion system protected from the stresses of heavy rolling and pitching.

Man the Engine Room: If the engine room is running on UMS (Unattended Machinery Space) mode, immediately man the engine room to ensure adequate personnel are available to monitor and react to any changes.

Reduce Main Engine RPM: As the ship pitches, the propeller will repeatedly emerge from and plunge back into the water, causing the main engine load to fluctuate wildly. Reduce the RPM or switch the main engine control to "rough weather mode" (if available) to protect the machinery.

Secure Tank Suction: Maintain the levels of all critical tanks (like service tanks) high enough so that pumps never lose suction even during heavy rolling.

Check Sump Levels: Pay close attention to the sump levels of all machinery. Heavy rolling can cause false level alarms, which could trip a running machine.

Secure Power Generation: Keep a standby generator running on load until the bad weather has completely passed.

Secure the Space:

• Close Water-Tight Doors: Shut all water-tight doors in the machinery spaces.
• Close Openings: Close all skylights and other engine room openings.

Stow Loose Items: All spares, tools, and equipment must be properly stowed and lashed to prevent damage or injury.

Prevent Spills: Take precautions to prevent oil or chemical spills in the event of heavy motion.

III. General Ship and Crew Safety

These actions focus on securing the deck, preparing the crew, and preventing personnel accidents.

Restrict Access to Open Deck: Instruct all crew members not to go out onto the open deck during rough weather unless absolutely necessary and only with proper supervision and safety measures.

Secure All Deck Items: Every item on deck must be secured. This includes mooring ropes, lashing equipment, drums, pilot ladders, life rings, fire extinguishers, etc. Lash and stow them properly.

Close and Seal All Openings: Ensure all cargo hatches and other deck openings are kept firmly shut. All exterior doors and openings to the accommodation areas must also be kept shut.

Use Internal Access: When moving between compartments (e.g., to the steering room), use internal access routes like the shaft tunnel to avoid going onto the weather deck.

Power Off Elevators (if present): Switch off the elevator as heavy rolling and pitching can cause a trip, potentially trapping a person inside.

Crew Preparedness:

Ensure everyone is aware of their duties as laid out in the muster list.

Emphasize teamwork and alertness.

Always wear all required PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and use railings and other supports while walking to avoid slips and falls.

Secure the Anchor: Consider sealing the anchor hawse pipe with covers and/or cement to prevent seawater ingress.

IV. Cargo and Stability

During severe weather, the forces acting on the cargo and the ship's stability are immense.

Check Cargo Lashing and Stowage: Before the weather hits (if possible), or immediately upon receiving a warning, ensure all cargo lashings are checked and tightened, especially deck cargo and containers. The movement of cargo is one of the biggest risks in a storm.

Monitor Vessel Stability: Officers should calculate and monitor the ship's stability (GM) to ensure it remains within safe limits for the expected roll/pitch. Consider the free surface effect of slack tanks.

Adjust Ballast for Comfort and Safety: If conditions allow and based on stability calculations, consider adjusting the ballast to reduce excessive rolling/pitching (e.g., by increasing draft or adjusting metacentric height), making the ship's motion easier on the structure and crew.

V. Navigation and Planning

The navigational plan may need to be altered dramatically to mitigate the risk.

Re-evaluate Course and Speed: The bridge team must continuously re-evaluate the course and speed. Often, a change in heading (such as heaving-to or taking waves on the bow at an angle) or a reduction in speed is necessary to minimize structural stress.

Monitor Weather Updates Continuously: Maintain a continuous and heightened vigil for updated weather forecasts and navigational warnings. The storm track can shift quickly.

Plot a Contingency Haven: Have an alternative port or sheltered anchorage pre-identified and ready on the chart should the weather conditions become catastrophic or if the ship sustains damage.

VI. Emergency Preparedness

Rough weather increases the chance of accidents or equipment failure.

Prepare Emergency Equipment: Have emergency equipment like fire pumps, emergency steering, and satellite communication systems checked and ready for immediate use.

Secure Medical Supplies: Ensure the hospital/sickbay is secured and that necessary medical supplies (especially seasickness medication and basic first aid) are easily accessible, as movement will make accessing storerooms difficult.

Of course, the list is not exhaustive, but merely provided as a foundational set of critical guidelines to ensure the immediate safety of the vessel and crew during rough weather.

Read also:

Extreme Maritime Weather - Towards Safety of Life at Sea and a Sustainable Blue Economy