3.33 SECURING FOR SEA

The master is expected to consult the latest weather forecasts before proceeding to sea and may use a weather advisory service to recommend his voyage route. If there is any expectation of heavy weather soon after departure, the chief officer and chief engineer must be warned to take extra care in securing the ship. However, the chief officer should always secure for sea as if his ship will encounter a hurricane immediately after departure.
When fully loaded, the ship will ride better than in ballast, but the reduced freeboard means a greater possibility of damage due to seas boarding. The chief officer should take extra care to see that all main deck hatches, water tight covers and loose equipment are well secured. Any tank openings which have been opened before or during loading should be double-checked for tightness. After undocking, all loose mooring lines should be put below and the anchor chain pipes covered. Store rooms and paint lockers must be carefully inspected to ensure that any stores or spare parts received in port have been properly stowed and secured.
The pumproom should be inspected and secured from bottom to top before closing and dogging the weather deck doors. All valves in the pumproom must be closed, sea suctions sealed (but not locked) and the bilges inspected and pumped dry, if necessary. Any spare parts must be firmly lashed in place and any combustible materials (packing case materials, rags, etc.), removed from the pumproom.
Finally, the CCR, ship's office and chief officer's office must be fully secured to avoid loss of samples, equipment or cargo documents due to rolling.
The loaded passage should be the quietest and most restful part of the chief officer's time on board, but it will only be so if the necessary precautions have been observed before departure.