Control Station Transfers
18 Sep 17
Background On 29 August 2017, the Susie O’Neill made contact with the wharf and protection pylons at Pyrmont. The incident was investigated to determine the cause. This alert is to communicate key and relevant findings to the remainder of the fleet.
Control Station Transfers Section 2.2.1 of the Fleet Generic Operations Manual (FGOM) details the critical nature of control station transfers. Additionally, the vessel specific procedure for transfer of control station is detailed in each Vessel Operation Manual (VOM). Although each vessel class may differ on the process required to achieve a successful transfer, the need to transfer early, test and confirm is critical.
Early Transfer and Confirmation Early control station transfer and confirmation will mitigate the risk of any potential control related issue or failure. Some considerations when performing control station transfers: • Transfer control station as early as possible and well before final approach to berthing. • Test control station transfer is successful by one or more of the following actions: o Operate control levers on the incoming station to engage and disengage clutches and observe the RPM gauges respond as commanded (on RiverCat’s, observe vector change through neutral vector). o Check the station active lights are illuminated (where applicable). o Test astern to confirm clutch engagement (where the situation allows and is safe to do so). • During dead-end wharf berthing, use closed loop communication techniques with the Engineer to confirm control (except RiverCat and HarbourCat class).
Conclusion Dead-end wharf berthing is one of the high-risk activities performed daily by HCF vessels. At the first indication of a ‘Control Failure’, it is recommended the Master request the Engineer to stop the vessel using back-up control system. This can be achieved by the Master stating: ‘Control Failure, engage back-ups, stop the vessel’. Remember: If the Master doesn’t have enough time to stop the vessel, the Engineer doesn’t have enough time to stop the vessel. Prepared by: Johl Hayes, Manager SHEQ Nick Dinham, Customer Operations Manager
SHEQD10.2.1.A Issue # 04
Approved by: Wayne Potter, GM SHEQ Ben Smith, GM Operations