Checks to Perform on Ship before Coming out of the Dry Dock

Dry dock is like a routine health check up for ships so that they live a long and healthy life. Dry dock schedule of every ship is laid down by the administration and every ship owner and operator has to follow the rules.

As much important it is to check conditions required for entering a dry dock, so much important it is to consider checks need to be done before the dock is flooded and ship is taken out of the dry dock. Let’s find out the exact procedure to be followed on a ship coming out of the dry dock.

It is extremely important to maintain a checklist of things and procedure to be done before undocking and not to miss any vital point which will lead to delay in undocking.

Following things must be checked by a responsible engineer and deck officers before water is filled up in the dock:

• All Departments in charge to confirm that repairs assigned under their departments are completed successful with tests and surveys are carried out

• Check rudder plug and vent and also check if anode are fitted back on rudder

• Check hull for proper coating of paint; make sure no TBT based paint is used.

• Check Impressed Current Cathodic Protection system (ICCP) anodes are fitted in position and cover removed

• Check Anodes are fitted properly on hull and cover removed (if ICCP is not installed)

• Check all double bottom tank plugs are secured

• Check all sea inlets and sea chests gratings are fitted

• Check echo sounder and logs are fitted and covers removed

• Check of propeller and rudder are clear from any obstruction

• Check if anchor and anchor chain is secured on board

• Check all external connection (shore water supply, shore power cables) are removed

• Check inside the ship all repaired overboard valve are in place

• Secure any moving item inside the ship

• Check sounding of all tank and match them with the value obtain prior entering the dry dock

• Check stability and trim of the ship. Positive GM should be maintained at all time

• If there is any load shift or change in stability, inform  the dock master

• Go through the checklist again and satisfactory checklist to be signed by Master

• Master to sign authority for Flood Certificate

• When flooding reaches overboard valve level, stop it and check all valves and stern tube for leaks

• Instruction to every crew member to be vigilant while un-docking

You may also like to read – What is Extended Dry-Docking of Ships?