Shipowners should include instructions in their operational procedures for preparing various equipment to withstand adverse cold weather conditions. These instructions should cover:
- Preparing navigation/ communication equipment receivers, antennas and scanners
- Ensuring the readiness of mooring and anchoring systems
- Checking and preparing accom- modation and pilot ladders
- Inspecting deck cranes - Verifying the functionality of deck levers and valves
- Maintaining heat in storerooms - Applying special polar resistant greasing to wires, davits and other moving parts that may require it
- Keeping air vents clear of ice accumulation
- Draining freshwater systems if necessary
- Checking and preparing hydraulic and electrical systems
- Ensuring ballast systems are functioning
Machinery instructions should include:
- Heating engine compartments - Preventing ice development at the sea chest that could disrupt seawater intake to engine machinery
- Protecting batteries and other stored energy sources
- Ensuring proper functioning of combustion engines by addressing low-temperature air intake issues
- Maintaining the operational status of emergency generators and implementing precautions to prevent freezing of fuel and cooling water systems
- Draining domestic freshwater systems if necessary.
Firefighting and life saving equipment
Shipowners must ensure that all fire firefighting equipment remains operational and readily available. This includes implementing heating in areas where essential firefighting equipment, such as fire pumps and fireman’s outfits, is stored to protect
them from frost. Protection measures for the fire line should be in place to prevent any frost damage, including draining exposed sections when not in use. Regular testing of fire dampers is essential to confirm their operational status.
Lifesaving appliances must also be protected for full operational capability and accessibility. For lifeboats and rescue boats, a fuel capable of withstanding extreme low temperatures should be utilised, and engines must be able to start in extreme cold conditions. Consideration should be given to protecting essential survival equipment, such as water, food rations, and other necessities, from the impact of the cold climate. Maintenance of davits and launching appliances is crucial to prevent malfunctioning during low temperatures.
Personal safety
Working in cold climates requires an understanding of the interplay between ambient temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, personnel protective equipment and the task at hand. All deck work activities, therefore, should be carefully planned and time outside should be limited to avoid any frost related injuries. The crew should be well-versed in wind chill and its effects on exposure, along with recommended outdoor working times at specific temperatures. The ABS Guide for Vessels Operating in low Temperature Environments offers guidance on these topics. Precautions to enhance personnel safety may include (but is not limited to):
- Carrying sufficient personal protection clothing suitable for extreme cold weather
- Keeping clothes dry; if exposed to water, change clothes
- Avoiding leaving any skin exposed - Preventing bare skin from coming into contact with metallic objects
- Being aware of frostbites and hypothermia
- Working in pairs and keeping an eye out for each other
- Arctic salt or sand should be used to provide safe passageways and prevent slip injuries. However, certain salts may impact coatings, so vendors should be consulted before use.
Training
Shipowners should provide necessary training to both the crew and applicable shoreside personnel to enable them to support the ship adequately. The identified training may encompass:
- Navigation and manoeuvring in or near ice. This should be provided by an accredited training facility and may include simulator based training
- Meteorological training to under- stand and analyse ice development
- Appropriate training for engineers to understand the impact extreme cold weather can have on machinery and how to mitigate associated risks
- First aid training for frost bite, hyperthermia or other cold weather related injuries
- Familiarisation training in systems or equipment specifically related to the safe operation of the ship in cold climates
- Understanding and practicing appropriate behaviour while working on deck, considering the impact of wind chill etc.
Safety
management systems
Shipowners should ensure that an appropriate level of operational safety procedures and checklists are provided to the ship and shoreside personnel. These should be developed when assessing the risk identified in the above Risk Assessment and provide clear instructions to the crew on preparing and safely operating the ship in extreme cold climates. Crew members must be familiar with these procedures, and their inclusion in the shipowner’s internal audit program ensures proper implementation. It is essential for these protocols to undergo regular reviews and updates as needed.
102 | ISSUE 107 | MAR 2024 | THE REPORT
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