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Cargo, hull, mooring & pollution
RightShip inspection checklist for the Chief Officer
The Chief Officer owns most of the inspection: cargo, hatch covers, mooring, hull and tanks, deck pollution control and any ship-to-ship work. Expect to walk the deck and show the records.
16 RISQ 3.2 sections 335 questions 48 prep checks here
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Sections every ship has
These count towards your progress.
3
Navigation
- As officer of the watch, know the standing orders and night orders for your own watch and where you have signed them.
- Make sure the passage plan uses the drafts, trim and stability you calculated, and that under-keel clearance was worked from those figures.
- Hand over an anchor or cargo watch with drafts, weather, holding checks and communications stated, not just a signature in the log.
5
Pollution Prevention and Control
- Keep deck garbage segregation matching the placards and the record book, so the bins and the latest entries tell the same story.
- Log each hold-washing discharge with position, cargo and whether the residues were classed as HME or non-HME.
- Scupper plugs, save-alls and the SOPEP locker should be ready during bunkering and cargo work, with the locker inventory recently checked.
- Ballast water record book entries should agree with the tank soundings, the management plan and the deck log.
6
Ship's Structure
- Know the condition of every hold and ballast tank from your own inspections, not only from the last class survey report.
- Keep the enhanced survey file, thickness measurement reports and any conditions of class together and easy to produce.
- Photograph coating breakdown, pitting and wastage when found, and track each repair in the maintenance system until closed.
9A
Hatch Cover and Lifting Appliances
- Keep the lifting appliance register, test certificates and examination records together so they can be produced at once.
- Hatch cover weathertightness depends on seals, compression bars and cleats, so check them before loading rather than after a leak.
- The safe working load marked on each crane, derrick and loose gear item should match the register exactly.
10
Mooring Operations
- A mooring plan for each berth, agreed with the Master, helps the deck team rig lines correctly the first time.
- Line and tail records should show each rope's age, inspections, any end-for-ending and renewals.
- Winch brake holding tests show the brake will render before the line parts, so keep the results easy to find.
- Brief the mooring team on snap-back zones and who controls each station before every operation.
12
Security
- Gangway watchkeepers need clear instructions on checking identity, logging visitors and arranging escorts.
- Restricted areas should be marked, locked where practical and checked on regular deck rounds.
- In port, keep deck lighting, doors and access points under watch, especially at night.
14
General Appearance — Hull and Superstructure
- Plan hull and superstructure painting around the voyage so rust is treated before it spreads.
- Draft marks, load line, IMO number and ship's name should be clear and readable from the quay.
- Keep a defect list for deck and accommodation and close items with dates and photos.
Only if they apply to your ship
Open the ones that match your vessel type, fuel or trade. Ticks save here too, but track on their own.
8ACargo Operation — Solid Bulk Cargo
Cargo Operation — Solid Bulk Cargo
- Hold the shipper's cargo declaration and moisture and TML certificates before loading, and know the cargo's group under the IMSBC Code.
- The loading and deballasting sequence should keep shear force and bending moment inside limits at every stage, with each stage recorded.
- Check hold cleanliness, bilge wells and sounding pipes before loading, and keep evidence of the hold inspection.
8BCargo Operation — Bulk Grain
Cargo Operation — Bulk Grain
- The grain stability calculation should use the approved grain loading booklet and show heeling moments within limits for the loaded condition.
- Know which holds are full and which are partly filled, and how the grain surface in each partly filled hold is levelled or secured.
- Holds should be clean, dry and free of odour, insects and previous cargo residues before any grain is presented for loading.
8CCargo Operation — General Cargo
Cargo Operation — General Cargo
- Stow and lash each consignment as your CSM requires, and be ready to show the lashing calculation for odd-shaped items.
- Stow and segregate dangerous goods to the IMDG Code as shown on the manifest and stowage plan, with emergency response information to hand.
- Check cargo gear, loose lifting equipment and portable securing fittings are marked, certified and in good order before use.
8DCargo Operation — Cellular Container Ships
Cargo Operation — Cellular Container Ships
- Verify the final bay plan against stack weights, the lashing software output and the bridge visibility line before sailing.
- Walk the lashing bridges and check twistlocks, rods and turnbuckles, since slack or missing lashings are easy to see on deck.
- Keep reefer monitoring records and the dangerous goods stowage list current and in agreement with what is actually on board.
8ECargo Operation — Self-Unloading Transshipment
Cargo Operation — Self-Unloading Transshipment
- Know the self-unloading system's operating limits, interlocks and emergency stops, and be ready to demonstrate them.
- Keep boom, conveyor and gate maintenance and load test records up to date in the planned maintenance system.
- Transshipment with barges or other ships needs a joint plan agreed before starting, covering mooring, stability and communications.
8FCargo Operation — Heavy Lift Vessel
Cargo Operation — Heavy Lift Vessel
- Each heavy lift needs a lift plan with stability, heel, ballast and crane limits worked out in advance, with the Master's approval.
- Prove the anti-heeling and ballast pumps before a lift, and have the ballast sequence ready for the crew to follow.
- Design and check the sea fastening of heavy items, and inspect welds and lashings during the voyage.
9BGantry Cranes
Gantry Cranes
- Gantry cranes travel along the deck, so rails, stoppers and storm locks need the same attention as the hoist.
- Keep load test, brake and overload protection records for each gantry crane in one file with operator authorisations.
- Plan travel paths so the crane never moves with people, hoses or loose gear in its way.
16Ice or Polar Water Operations
Ice or Polar Water Operations
- Test de-icing tools, steam lances and heat tracing before the ship reaches cold water, not after ice forms.
- Ice accretion raises the centre of gravity, so allow for it in stability calculations and plan its removal.
- Winterise deck machinery by draining exposed pipework and using lubricants suited to low temperatures.
- Issue cold-weather PPE in the right sizes and set limits on how long crew work outside.
17Ship To Ship Operation
Ship To Ship Operation
- Check fenders, mooring arrangements and cargo gear against the operation plan agreed with the other ship.
- Hold a pre-operation meeting covering communications, the emergency stop and who has overall control.
- Keep inspection records of fenders and lines together with the joint checklists signed by both ships.
✓ Chief Officer preview complete
You have ticked every check shown here for the sections every ship has. RightShip Pro takes the same sections question by question, with sub-checks, notes and a report. Now get the rest of the crew ready.
Send to your crew:
Checklists for the rest of the ship
Master
Command, certificates, ISM & welfare
Second Officer
Navigating officer and radio lead
Third Officer
Watchkeeper and bridge routines
Chief & Second Engineer
Machinery, fuel and pollution control
ETO / Electrical Officer
Electrical and emergency power
Ratings
Bosun, ABs, OS and deck fitters
Office: DPA & Superintendents
Fleet records, crewing & ISM support
RightShip Pro is an independent preparation tool made by CryoSim. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by RightShip. The notes and checks on these pages are CryoSim's own preparation guidance, not RightShip question text; section numbers, titles and question counts refer to the published RISQ 3.2 questionnaire. The current RightShip publications, your company's SMS and flag requirements always take precedence. Tanker? See the SIRE 2.0 checklists.
