CHIEF ENGINEER Unit 16 Dry Docking Procedure Q2

Re-flooding a dry dock is a critical stage in the dry-docking process, requiring careful procedures and thorough safety checks to ensure the vessel’s safe return to the water. Here’s an outline of the essential steps and precautions:

1. Completion of Work and Inspections:

• Work Completion: Confirm that all maintenance, repairs, and inspections have been completed satisfactorily and signed off by the relevant authorities (Classification Society surveyor, etc.).
• Final Inspection: Conduct a final thorough inspection of all work areas, ensuring no tools, equipment, or debris are left behind in the dry dock or on the vessel’s hull.
• Sea Valves and Openings: Verify that all sea valves, through-hull fittings, and overboard discharges are correctly reinstalled, secured, and fully operational.
• Underwater Appendages: Ensure that propellers, rudders, and other underwater appendages are clear of obstructions and all components are properly fitted.
• Internal Tanks: Check that all tanks that were opened are properly closed, tested for leaks, and have their sounding levels verified.
• Machinery and Systems: Confirm that all machinery and systems that underwent maintenance or repairs are functioning correctly and ready for operation.

2. Safety and Security:

• Remove Scaffolding and Equipment: Clear the dry dock of all scaffolding, staging, tools, and other temporary structures or equipment.
• Secure Loose Items: Double-check that all loose items on deck and within the vessel are properly secured to prevent them from shifting or causing damage during refloating.
• Crew Readiness: Brief the crew on the undocking procedures, ensuring everyone is aware of their roles and responsibilities.
• Emergency Preparedness: Review emergency plans and procedures, including communication protocols and evacuation routes, in case of any unforeseen incidents during refloating.
• Access Control: Maintain control of access to the dry dock area to prevent unauthorized entry and ensure a secure environment.

3. Communication and Coordination:

• Clearance from Contractors and Surveyors: Obtain final clearance from all contractors and surveyors involved, confirming that all work is complete and the vessel is ready for refloating.
• Inform Dry Dock Authorities: Notify the dry dock master or relevant authorities about the readiness to commence flooding and undocking procedures.
• Establish Communication Channels: Ensure effective communication between the ship’s crew, dry dock personnel, and any tugs or pilots involved in the undocking operation.

4. Flooding Procedure:

• Gradual Flooding: Commence flooding the dry dock gradually and in a controlled manner to avoid any undue stress on the hull or instability issues.
• Monitor for Leaks: Closely monitor the hull and all underwater fittings for any signs of leaks or water ingress. Immediately address any leaks detected.
• Check Stability: Continuously monitor the vessel’s stability during flooding and adjust ballast as needed to maintain a safe trim and list.
• Communication: Maintain constant communication between the bridge, engine room, and dry dock personnel to coordinate the flooding process and address any concerns.

5. Undocking Preparation:

• Remove Keel Blocks and Supports: Once the vessel is fully afloat, carefully remove the keel blocks, side blocks, and other supports.
• Prepare for Undocking: Conduct final checks on the vessel’s systems, mooring lines, and propulsion machinery to ensure readiness for undocking.
• Tug Assistance: Arrange for tug assistance, if necessary, to safely maneuver the vessel out of the dry dock.

By adhering to these procedures and conducting thorough safety checks, the risk of incidents or complications during re-flooding and undocking can be minimized, ensuring a smooth and safe transition back to the water for the vessel.

The person responsible for signing the authority for a Flood Certificate on a dry dock with a vessel inside is typically the Master of the vessel.  

1. A few dry-docking questions….. – Kraken Offshore

However, in some cases, this authority may be delegated to the Chief Officer or another senior officer, depending on the company’s policies and procedures.

It’s important to note that before signing the Flood Certificate, the Master or designated officer must ensure that all necessary checks and inspections have been completed, and that the vessel is safe to be refloated. This includes verifying that:

• All underwater hull openings, such as sea valves and through-hull fittings, have been properly secured and are watertight.
• All repairs and maintenance work have been completed satisfactorily and signed off by the relevant authorities.
• All loose items on board have been secured to prevent them from shifting during refloating.
• The dry dock is clear of any obstructions that could interfere with the flooding process.
• The ship’s crew is prepared for the refloating and undocking operations.

The Master or designated officer bears significant responsibility in signing the Flood Certificate, as it essentially authorizes the dry dock authorities to commence flooding the dock and refloat the vessel. Therefore, they must exercise due diligence and ensure that all necessary precautions have been taken to ensure a safe and successful undocking operation.