Marine Safety Information Bulletin 16-002 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY U. S. Coast Guard Sector Honolulu Sand Island Parkway Honolulu, Hawaii 96819 (808) 842-2600 COAST GUARD GUIDANCE FOR DEAD SHIP MOVEMENT IN SECTOR HONOLULU CAPTAIN OF THE PORT ZONE 05 April 2016 Background. The purpose of this Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) is to communicate recommended practices for dead ship movements within the Sector Honolulu Captain of the Port (COTP) Zone. The Coast Guard is responsible for ensuring maritime safety on navigable waters and for protecting the marine environment from degradation resulting from the damage, destruction, or loss of vessels and shore structures. To aid in this mission, the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu COTP is issuing this MSIB to inform mariners involved in dead ship tows of practices recommended by the Coast Guard. These recommendations are meant to ensure these evolutions are conducted in a safe manner. Good communication and planning between all parties involved in the movement of a dead ship is essential to ensure a successful operation. This MSIB makes recommendations to industry that may avoid costly delays, facilitate communication, and improve safety in the Sector Honolulu COTP Zone. References. (a) 46 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 110.15-1 (b) 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 3.70 (c) 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 160.111 (d) Waterways Management, COMDTINST 16001.1 (series) (e) Coast Guard Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures 3-71.4, Dead Ship Movements Definition. A dead ship is defined in reference (a) as a condition of the vessel in which the main propulsion plant, boilers, and auxiliaries are not in operation due to the absence of power. For example, this may include a ship that is intended for scrapping and must be towed to the scrapping facility, or a disabled ship that must be towed to a repair facility. An un-powered barge would not ordinarily be considered a dead ship. However, certain specialized tug-andbarge combinations that have lost main propulsion could be considered a dead ship tow. Action: 1. Owners, agents, and other parties who intend on moving a "dead ship" within the Sector Honolulu COTP Zone, as described by reference (b), should take every precaution to
Marine Safety Information Bulletin 16-002 ensure that the evolution is conducted in a safe manner. In accordance with reference (c), the COTP may restrict vessel movement if an unsafe condition should arise. The Sector Commander may also require an examination of the vessel by a Marine Inspector to determine the seaworthiness of the dead ship prior to transit into any harbor within the Sector Honolulu COTP Zone. 2. The development of a thorough tow plan for a dead ship operation is strongly encouraged. Once completed, it is requested that a copy be submitted to this office for review. The tow plan will assist the COTP in evaluating all conditions to determine if the dead ship tow should commence. The Coast Guard recommends addressing all items found in Appendix B of reference (e) in development of the tow plan. See the end of this MSIB for Appendix B of reference (e). 3. Nothing in this MSIB is intended to contravene or supersede any applicable U.S. law. 4. The COTP does not issue permits for dead ship tows in accordance with the guidance set forth in reference (d). However, early cooperation and communication with the Coast Guard is encouraged to facilitate the safe and effective execution of the dead ship tow. Depending upon the circumstances a COTP order or a safety zone may be put in place for the transit. 5. Any questions, comments, or correspondence regarding this Notice should be directed to the Waterways Management Division Chief at Coast Guard Sector Honolulu at (808) 541-4359. After hours the Waterways Management Division Chief can be reached through the Sector Command Center at (808) 842-2600.
Appendix B: Menu of Relevant Information CGTTP 3-71.4 1. Dead ship and owner/agency details: a. Dead ship owner or agency: i. DSM representative name. ii. DSM representative contact information. b. Dead ship: i. Name. ii. Official number or documentation number. iii. Vessel owner/operator. iv. Vessel class/type/designation. v. Call sign. vi. Flag. vii. Length, breadth, depth. viii. Navigational draft. ix. Air draft. x. Displacement. xi. Location, soundings, and quantities of oil and hazmat. xii. Points of attachment. xiii. Ability of the vessel to anchor, maintain emergency lighting, and establish capstan/windless operations xiv. Condition and operability of firefighting and dewatering equipment. xv. The number of personnel who are to remain on the moved vessel during the evolution and the type and location of primary lifesaving equipment for each person (should the dead ship be manned?). xvi. Depending on the type of movement (i.e., from anchorage to pier for repairs or voyage over 100 nm) these conditions might or might not be warranted: The dead ship s tailshaft(s) locked to prevent freewheeling and vibration. The rudder locked. All large, loose gear secured. All cranes/booms secured. All hatch covers secured. All double bottom/voids/cofferdam hatches secured. All watertight subdivision doors and hatches secured. All watertight doors above deck secured. All air ports and side ports secured. All sea valves closed and secured with wire. Forepeak tank secured, with no fuel in tank. Free surface effect minimized. Proper navigation lights and dayshapes rigged for entire voyage. B-1 Appendix B: Menu of Relevant Information
CGTTP 3-71.4 c. Towing Vessel(s): i. Number and type (conventional or tractor) of tugs and horsepower/bollard pull to maintain control of the dead ship at all times, including assist tugs. Name. Official number or documentation number. Vessel owner/operator. Vessel class/type/designation. Call sign. Flag. Length, breadth, depth. Navigational draft. Air draft. Displacement. Where assist tugs will provide assistance if not making entire transit. d. Towing configuration (stern, push, side)(surge chain, long chain): Ground tackle details: Diameter of tow wire. Length of tow wire. Emergency wires rigged (location, type). Moving condition (single/double drum). Length and position of tows. Points of attachment. e. Voyage Information: i. Place of departure and destination. ii. Primary and alternate time and date of expected departure and arrival. iii. Intended trackline. Review navigational clearances along the proposed route to accommodate vessel specifications. Channel width. Navigation draft. Air draft. Lock/canal. Structure gates. Critical infrastructure. Marine construction projects along the proposed route that might reduce clearances. COTP zones passed through. Appendix B: Menu of Relevant Information B-2
CGTTP 3-71.4 2. Designated emergency grounding areas. 3. Purpose of dead ship movement. 4. Date of last drydock or underwater inspection. 5. Pilot organization to maneuver the vessel. 6. Maximum weather parameters (i.e., DSM will not commence if any of the parameters are exceeded, or are forecasted to be exceeded during the planned movement): Winds. Currents. Visibility. Tides. Inclement weather plan. 7. Communications plan. Based on the route and complexity of the movement, agree on a communications plan to notify the COTP of departure and arrival. If the movement occurs along multiple COTP zones, the plan should include a communications schedule and handoff between Sector Command Center/VTS zones. 8. A timeline of events of the overall operation. 9. Identification of aids-to-navigation that might need to be temporarily moved. B-3 Appendix B: Menu of Relevant Information