People sometimes think that doing big things is more important because it will gain something big. This is normal. However, in reality there are big things which are very important and still become the subject of debate until today were originated from something simple and small. Examples are given below:
a. Sir Isaac Newton’s Theory of Gravity. He found out about it while he saw an apple fell from its tree.
b. Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. The theory is still a topic which was discussed until today were originated from a observation to small differences to an animal (a sparrow’s beak) and plants (different colors of tree).
This article will not discuss more about the above inventions, but will try to see its connection with vessel operation in the department I work at. This article will also try to give idea on what possibility we can have by paying attention to things that some people might consider simple or small.
1. Duty of Operation Department
Based on my observation, there are some definitions about the duty of operation department. I think the duty of vessel operator is: “to make sure that all supporting tools (excluded technical and crew matters) of vessel operation in the optimal condition so that cargo operation can be done with efficient cost and time”
Vessel operation problems which have been and normally arisen because of simple matters are:
• Failed Wall Wash Test; for it was found a tiny residue of tank cleaning material from last shipment. This probably is due to tank inspection was not done thoroughly.
• Tank cleaning process is slower than it should be because the condition of tank cleaning machine is not well
• Vessel has to wait for suitable tide because of overdraft
• Vessel has to shift or deviate to other terminal or port for tank cleaning material supply because the tank cleaning materials on board are not in adequate amount
• Vessel cannot load maximum because of misinformation about loading option, loading temperature, segregation and cargo details
2. Impacts
The following are impacts due to the above problems:
• Delay
• Cost for deviation / shifting and expensiveness of tank cleaning material
• Loss of earnings
• Loss of credibility and trust
Based on my experience, in vessel operation there are some things to be paid attention:
a. Administration and documentation
* Charter Party and CBN (Cargo Booking Note)
+ Does communication go directly to charterers or go through brokers?
Are there any other parties needed daily update?
+ Are cargo details clear? Cargo details are: name/cargo grade, loading option/maximum loadable, segregation / commingle requirement, heating instruction and rotation
* Voyage / Shipping Instruction
+ Is there any special requirement in the voyage instruction? Such as WWT and also instruction to contact charter/broker if there is discrepancy in cargo figure
+ Have voyage/shipping instruction sent to vessel already adequate?
b. Port and terminal information
* Location
Where is it? coastal, river, or estuary? It has impact to vessel draft and calculation to cargo capacity that can be loaded
* Restriction / specification
+ LOA, draft, beam, channel tidal, night navigation
+ Space between manifolds to deep try, size of reducers, etc
+ Loading / discharging rate, connect with flexible hoses or loading arm
* Facility
+ Is there any facility or supplier for bunker, fresh water and tank cleaning material with reasonable price?
+ Can supply be done in the same time with cargo operation?
+ Can we supply vessel with good and competitive price of tank cleaning material?
3. Vessel Condition
a. ROB bunker and fresh water
Whether ROB will be enough till next supply schedule and whether the fresh water is good and has competitive price
b. Last / next cargo of shipment
* The type of last / next cargo is needed to find out, to determine the level of difficulty tank cleaning so that we can decide type and number of tank cleaning material needed
* Whether our tank condition support cargo type which is planned to be loaded
c. ROB tank cleaning material and tank cleaning operation support
* Whether ROB tank cleaning material is adequate with the level of difficulty of last / next cargo, including preparation if vessel needs to re-tank cleaning
* Whether tank cleaning hoses, portable pump, sprayers are all in good condition
* Whether crews have already checked tanks thoroughly after tank cleaning is finished and all operation has been confirmed by vessel
d. Whether vessel has protected all equipment on board the vessel when there is bad weather so that seawater can enter the room and damage on board equipment
I am sure that there are a lot of things beside all I have mentioned above about things needed to paid attention to avoid problems that might arise. By paying attention to the above matters, I believe that big loss can be avoided and in the end will lift up company performance and earnings
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