Dry Dock Preparation

Dry Dock Preparation

How to prepare a Dry Dock list 

Following documents are required to make Dry Dock defect  list.

1. Defect list of ship staff.
2. Master & C/E reports.
3. Superintendent inspection reports. (Duration : 6 monthly)  
4. Classification society Inspection reports. (if any modification \ defects noticed) 
5. Any rules or regulation from Classification society 
6. Flag state Inspection reports.(if any modification \ defects noticed)
7.  Any rules or regulation from Flag
8. Company dry‐dock specifications checklist.
9. Compile a detailed Job specification list.

Various Plans required for Drydock (click here)

Before arrival at the Dry dock, following preparation should be done:

Cargo Tanks \ Pump room bilges 

1. Ensure all Cargo compartments /tanks and lines should be properly cleaned,  free of cargo and gas free.
   
2. Tank and other Compartments that are due for inspection are clean and scale/sediment should be removed.
3. Compartments in which repairs are planned and scheduled should be checked.
4. Adjacent tanks to compartment where repairs are planned should be checked.
5. Pump room bilges should be free from oil.

Ballast Tanks 

1. There should be minimum quantity of ballast onboard during dry‐docking.
   
2. Master shall ensure ballast has been adjusted to meet  Ship yard requirements for Drafts, Trim, stability.

Machinery spaces and Bunker tanks 

1. Machinery spaces bilges should be free from oil.
2. In order to  facilitate Cleaning, repairs,  inspections, Examinations and testing of fuel oil tanks, Bunker fuel (HFO, DO etc.) should be in kept in least possible tanks and sounding  should be taken.
3. There should be minimum quantity of bunkers onboard during dry‐docking.
4. Master shall ensure bunker has been adjusted to meet  Ship yard requirements for Drafts, Trim, stability.
5. Ensure that the vessel has achieved adequate stability and trim prior to entering the dry‐ dock, as per shipyard requirements.

IMPORTANT POINTS 

1. Gas free certificate should be received from authorized chemist.
   
2. Accurate tank statement should be prepared and should be kept with Master.
3. Final dry‐dock entering Stability condition to be submitted to office for review and approval prior to the vessel’s docking.
4. In order to avoid undue hull stress, when weight of vessel will be transferred to docking blocks, Ballast and bunkers should be properly distributed.
5. Instructions by the dock personnel should be followed when entering the dry dock and lowering on to the blocks.

Shore Connections which may be required at drydock 

Ship staff shall do preparation with respect to shore connections  which may be required during vessel’s stay in dry‐dock:

1.  Connection if Fuel or ballast may only be transferred in dock.
   
2. Connections for waste water (sewage),
3. Connections for fire‐fighting water
4. Connections for fresh water for accommodation.
5. Shore power connection (of proper voltage, frequency and power to meet vessel’s electrical power requirements).
6. Connections of compressed air, if applicable.
7. Cooling sea water connection which may be needed for Air Conditioning system, Diesel generators or air compressors, Refrigeration system etc.
   

Overboard discharge valves (bilge system) are closed and bilges kept as dry.

Daily communication 

1. Office should be informed about the progress of work.
   
2. Classification society regional office should be informed.
3. Service engineer for various equipment should be contacted for their attendance on the vessel.

Underwater Part Inspection 

When Thorough inspection of the underwater body, below parts and equipment's should be checked.

1. Shell plating and welding seams and butts.
   
2. Anchor bolsters
3. Hawse pipes.
4. Bow thrusters (if fitted).
   
5. Steering gear and bearings.
6. Rudder trunk fencing
7. Paint condition
8. Rudder
9. Sacrificial anodes (if fitted).
10. Impressed current cathodic system anodes (if fitted).
11. Rudder stock.
12. Rudder horn.
13. Propeller and  propeller cap
14. Tail shaft.
15. Energy saving technology, where fitted.
16. Stern tube and sealing device.
17. Sea chests and sea valve strainers.
18. Bilge keels (for reducing rolling)
19. Draft system tubes (Parts of Bridge equipment)
20. Transducers of Echo sounder. (Parts of Bridge equipment)
21. Speed log equipment. (Parts of Bridge equipment)
22. Drain Plugs (Chief Officer is responsible for removal, storage and replacement and refitting of hull drain plugs.)