Compliance with Ships’ Lifting Appliances: A best practice guide

Based on the CIC questionnaire, SQE Marine provides answers to each question and guidance to help crew members and operators prepare for successfully addressing the PSC CIC. It is recommended that crew members adopt the Company’s provided guidance and directions, applying them immediately to their daily routines. They should also identify potential discrepancies related to lifting appliances and loose gear, and, in coordination with the Company’s guidance, implement corrective or preventive measures.

Q1 Is all relevant documentation for the ship’s lifting appliances, including cargo operation manuals, approved lifting gears certificates, and loading instrument function documentation, available on board the ship?

The Technical and Operations Managers, along with the Master and other designated responsible officers, must ensure that all documentation and certification regarding lifting appliances, loose gear, and manuals relevant to cargo operations and the functioning of loading instruments are valid and available. If any documentation is missing, corrective actions must be taken immediately (e.g., issuance of the missing documentation, suspension of the use of appliances or loose gear until their certificates are available, etc.).

Q2 Is the cargo gears record logbook and loose gears conformance test report of all the ship’s lifting devices available onboard the ship?

The Master and responsible officers on board must ensure that the cargo gear record logbook and loose gear conformance test reports for the ship’s lifting devices are always valid, updated, and available. Technical and Operations Managers ashore must monitor expiration dates and schedule the required equipment testing as necessary.

Q3 Are the inspection reports for the lifting appliances, including those conducted by the classification society and the ship’s crew, available onboard the ship?

The Master and responsible officers on board must ensure that reports for the lifting appliances (conducted by the ship’s crew) are always valid, updated, and available. A copy of the latest classification society’s inspection report for the lifting appliances must also be available. Technical and Operations Managers ashore must regularly supervise the crew’s compliance with these obligations and follow up on class comments and findings. If a report identifies a defect that poses a threat to the safe execution of loading operations, it must be officially recorded, and the use of the lifting appliance or loose gear referenced in the report should be suspended until the defect is rectified.

Q4 Are the lifting appliances maintained and working in good condition?

A Planned Maintenance System (PMS), based on manufacturers’ instruction manuals, must be in place on board for every appliance and piece of loose gear, and followed without deviations. Officers on board, under the supervision of the Master, are responsible for ensuring the proper maintenance is carried out and for keeping the corresponding records upon completion. The Technical Department must monitor all required actions and reports as applicable.

Q5 Are the ship’s communications devices maintained and working in good condition?

Communication devices must be maintained according to manufacturers’ instructions. Portable devices must be properly stored, protected, and recharged in designated areas after use. Officers on board, under the supervision of the Master, are responsible for ensuring this process is followed. Malfunctioning communication devices must be immediately replaced or serviced when identified on board.

Q6 Are the safety operation procedures available onboard the ship?

The Company’s SMS must provide the crew with adequate written guidance, directions (such as directives and posters), and preventive safety measures that the crew must follow during loading operations to ensure high safety standards. The Master and Safety Officer on board must follow the SMS instructions and ensure their proper implementation.

Q7 Is the master’s order for cargo operations available onboard the ship?

The Master, taking into consideration the SMS guidance for lifting operations, must provide additional guidance and issue a permit for lifting operations. In case the ship’s cranes are operated by shore personnel, a pre-transfer meeting must be arranged so that the Master and Cargo Officer can provide their guidance and verify the ability of shore personnel to perform the lifting operations.

Q8 Is cargo operation Risk Assessment available onboard the ship?

The SMS should include, in the relevant Risk Management section, the procedure for hazard identification and mitigation related to lifting operations. The Master and Safety Officer must follow the implemented risk management procedure and discuss potential hazards during the toolbox meeting prior to the operation. Shore personnel must participate in the final risk identification and the implementation of mitigation control measures. The developed Risk Assessment must be available for review.

Q9 Have the lifting appliances on the ship been inspected for oil leaks and cleanliness?

Beyond the PMS, the ship’s crew must check the lifting appliances for cleanliness and any oil leaks during preparation before loading operations begin, after the operations are completed, and after the ship has been exposed to rough weather conditions. Attention should also be paid during loading operations. In this case, the crew must be ready to suspend operations if needed to avoid hazards from potential oil leaks.

Q10 Are the ship’s crew and shore operators properly familiarized with the cargo and lifting appliances operations?

The SMS familiarization section should include lifting appliances familiarization. Only certified personnel may operate mounted lifting appliances or cranes, and their certification must be available on board. The company’s personnel or agent must ensure that shore operators are also familiar with the operation of the ship’s lifting appliances before loading or unloading operations begin. In this case, confirmation correspondence must be sent to the Master.