Specimen Tow Approval (Trip in Tow) Report

Company Logo Here

XXX Marine Consultants Ltd

Marine Consultancy Hull, Machinery and Cargo Surveying
Street Address
Suburb and City
Tel: xxxxxxxx Fax: xxxxxxxx
Mobiles: (+xxx) xxxxxxxx
email: [email protected]

Your Ref : <Client's Reference>

Our Ref : XMC***
Date
: <Date>

XXXXXX XXXX
TOWING
XXXXX XXXXX
Trip in Tow Survey
Xxxxxxxxx, XXX
October & November XXXX

Managing Director: M R Wall, BSc, MSc, FIMarEST, CMarTech, MIIMS, MHKMC, QDR

Company Logo Here

XXX Marine Consultants Ltd

Marine Consultancy Hull, Machinery and Cargo Surveying
Street Address
Suburb and City
Tel: xxxxxxxx Fax: xxxxxxxx
Mobiles: (+xxx) xxxxxxxx
email: [email protected]

Your Ref : <Client's Reference>

Our Ref : XMC***
Date
: <Date>
XXXXXX XXXX
TOWING
XXXXX XXXXX
Trip in Tow Survey
Xxxxxxxxx, XXX
October & November XXXX
IN ACCORDANCE with instructions received from XXX Xxxxxx Xxxxxx our Surveyor attended
on board Barge XXXXX XXXXX whilst at anchor off Xxxxxxxxx, XXX, on 31 October XXXX,
and subsequently on board on 6 November XXXX with the tug XXXXXX XXXX for the purpose
of carrying out a Trip in Tow survey.
1.

Vessel Particulars

XXXXXX XXXX is an all steel, twin screw, ocean going tug.

Name:
Type:
Registered:
IMO No:
Call Sign:
Owners:
Operators:
Class:
Built:
GRT:
NRT:
Bollard Pull:
LOA:
LBP:
Dmould:
Draft:
Bmould:
Main Engines:

XXXXXX XXXX
Ocean Going Tug

Managing Director: M R Wall, BSc, MSc, FCMS, FIMarEST, CMarTech, MIIMS, MHKMC, QDR

Towing Speed:
The vessel is fitted with manganese Bronze propellers operating in Kort nozzles. The Intercon DD225 towing winch is powered by a 821 Detroit Diesel with Twin Disc gearbox.
XXXXX XXXXX is an all steel, non-propelled ocean going deck barge.
Name:
Type:
Registered:
IMO No:
Call Sign:
Owners:
Operators:
Class:
Built:
Displacement:
LOA:
LBP:
Dmould:
Draft:
Bmould:

XXXXXX XXXX (EX SHIN-S-2001

Type B, non-propelled ocean going deck barge

The vessel has a water ballast capacity of 47,000 m3. The vessel can be submerged to loading state
where the superstructure is submerged by 18 m in 5 hours and refloated in 6 hours.
2.

Parties Attending the Survey:

Usual list of those attending on the different dates of survey.

No other surveyors attended on board during the inspection. Eight crew members were on board
during the inspection. Defects were pointed out to Mr Xxxxxx Xx verbally at the time.

Managing Director: M R Wall, BSc, MSc, FCMS, FIMarEST, CMarTech, MIIMS, MHKMC, QDR

3.

Survey Findings

Descriptions
In order to achieve consistency of reporting, the following descriptions are to be used:
Good

Condition better than average in all respects, original strength/performance

unimpaired, no maintenance or repairs required.

Satisfactory

Condition average, minor deficiencies not in need of correction, wear and tear
evident, but original strength/performance not significantly affected.

Fair

Condition below average, deficiencies of some consequence and in need of

correction in near future.

Unsatisfactory Condition below average, deficiencies in need of immediate maintenance or

repair.
Poor

Condition deteriorated in all respects, beyond practical repair, requires renewal or

replacement.

Managing Director: M R Wall, BSc, MSc, FCMS, FIMarEST, CMarTech, MIIMS, MHKMC, QDR

4.

Survey Findings

Barge XXXXX XXXXX

Documentation and Certificates
Certificate

Date of Issue & Expiry

Certificate of Registry
Safety Construction Certificate
Safety Equipment Certificate
Safety Radiotelegraphy Certificate
International Loadline Certificate
Tonnage Certificate:
Fire Fighting Appliance Certificate
Liferaft Certificate
Hull Special Survey
Hull Intermediate Survey
Drydock Survey
Loading and Stability Information
USA Water Pollution Certificate
Oil Record Book
IOPP
IAPP
USCG Letter of Compliance
Port State Control Inspection
Flag State Inspection
ISM DOC
ISM SMC
ISPS
Notes:
We note that the original stern superstructure shown on the vessel's plans has been removed and
has been relocated immediately aft of the forward superstructure, being welded to the deck.
As a consequence of the relocation of the stern superstructure there was no longer any power for
the stern anchors and these have also been removed, leaving only the single bow anchor.

Managing Director: M R Wall, BSc, MSc, FCMS, FIMarEST, CMarTech, MIIMS, MHKMC, QDR

GENERAL INFORMATION
1.

No of Decks:

2.

No of transverse bulkheads:

3.

No of Long'l bulkheads:

4.

Manned:

5.

Machinery Position:

6.

Generators:

7.

Control room alarms and instrumentation:

8.

Bilge pumps:

9.

Bilges:

10. Oily Water Separator:

11. No of ballast tanks:
12. Ballast pumps:
13. Fuel on board:
14. Lubes on board:
15. Water on board:
16. Other pollutants:
17. Last drydocked:
18. Last Loadline Survey:
19. Loose gear:
20. Fire Protection:
21. Ports and openings:
22. Manholes:
23. Sea valves secure:
24. Stability information:
25. Anchors:
26. Pilot ladder:
27. Navigation lights:
28. Radios:

Managing Director: M R Wall, BSc, MSc, FCMS, FIMarEST, CMarTech, MIIMS, MHKMC, QDR

General Remarks
The boarding arrangements were totally unsatisfactory. A steel ladder was provided from the deck
of the launch to the side of the barge with a swell of 6 ft. A pilot ladder was then supplied and
fitted.
The vessel has 7 tanks each P&S which can be flooded to sink the barge with an 18 m clearance for
floating on her cargo. All tanks will be approximately 35% flooded to give a 5.2 m draft and
required trim. The tanks have one longitudinal intercostal wash plate which would reduce free
surface effect, although this would not be a problem with her stability, the vessel having a GM of
66.78 feet.
The vessel had clearly not been maintained appropriately for some time with much of its machinery
and equipment defective. The main deck and mooring gear were severely corroded.
We noted that the tug clearly had adequate power for the tow and if anything was a little
overpowered. We noted that the safe manning certificate for the tug was in its former name.
The barge had also been modified and is different from the plans supplied to us by Xxxxxxxx. The
after superstructure which housed two anchor windlasses on its top deck had been removed and
relocated immediately aft of the forward superstructure. We also found three very heavy pieces of
loose gear, ie, an anchor, mooring rig and a fabricated steel shelter, on the foredeck which will need
to be removed or secured for the tow.
We sighted the stability calculations. The barge would have a GM of 20.237 m (66.78 ft) and be
trimmed 0.251 m (10") by the bow
The towing gear was already rigged and is clearly what had been used in the past. There was a
3.25" chain bridle and emergency towing chain. Corrosion blisters were showing on the chains.
There were existing towing lugs on the bow of the vessel. We noted that the two shackles holding
the bridle chains into the fish plate were of an incorrect size, the pins being much smaller than the
holes in the fish plate.
The removal of the after superstructure means that the barge only had one Admiralty stockless
anchor forward. The two after spade anchors are still stowed on board adjacent to the after
superstructure, port side.
The automatic tank sounding gear was not operational so that the crew had to take manual
soundings. However, the relocation of the after superstructure has resulted in the No 2 P&S ballast
tank sounding caps being inaccessible.
We found the bilges full of oil and the OWS defective. There was clearly a pollution risk.
Firefighting equipment was also in poor condition with hoses/nozzles missing from boxes and
extinguishers due for inspection.
As a consequence of our inspection of the vessel on 31 October XXXX, we made the following
recommendations relating to the barge:
1.

Main console tank gauges defective. Tank soundings taken manually via sounding pipes on
main deck. However, No 2 P&S tank sounding pipe caps are obstructed by the relocation of
the after superstructure to the forward end. Access to sounding pipes to be improved.

2.

Navigation lights not yet fitted. Reported to be solar powered. In the event of failure of main
Managing Director: M R Wall, BSc, MSc, FCMS, FIMarEST, CMarTech, MIIMS, MHKMC, QDR

navigation lights, standby navigation lights to be fitted.

3.

No 2 starboard ballast tank manhole cover seal severely damaged. To be renewed.

4.

Engine room bilges oil filled. To be pumped out and cleaned. Sources of leakage to be
identified and stopped.

5.

All overboard inlet and discharge valves to be locked shut.

6.

Fire hoses and nozzles missing from many fire hose boxes. To be replaced.

7.

All equipment marked in Xxxxxx. As the tow will be unmanned and the tug crew is
American, all essential and emergency equipment to be marked in English. Tug crew to be
familiarised with operation of essential and emergency equipment.

8.

Pilot ladder to be rigged in appropriate position and protected from damage.

9.

Ballast stripping pump defective.

10.

Loose gear on foredeck to either be disposed of or adequately secured to prevent carrying

away and damage to the vessel.

11.

Generator battery charging facilities to be confirmed as operational.

12.

Emergency tow chain to be rigged along starboard side of vessel and fitted with
pennant/buoy. Arrangements should ensure that emergency chain can be released quickly and
safely.

13.

One stern anchor to be rigged for emergency use.

14. All towing gear to be dismantled, derusted and greased.

15.

Batteries to be capable of retaining their charge so that, in the event of an emergency on

board, the tug crew can start the generator.

16.

All ports and accesses to be securely closed and watertight.

The above recommendations were passed to owners of the barge for their attention.
We were subsequently requested to reattend at Zhanjiang on 6 November XXXX to re-inspect the
barge and to carry out an inspection of the tug XXXXXX XXXX.
We first attended on board the barge and found that only two of the above recommendations had
been addressed. These were the emergency towing gear rigged along the starboard side of the
vessel and some of the various loose gear had been secured to the foredeck. Other loose equipment
was being prepared for jettisoning overboard at Zhanjiang.
We reiterated our recommendations to the owners' local agent, Mr Xxxx Xxxxx and Mr Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx. We believe that these were implemented to the satisfaction of the master of XXXXXX
XXXX by Sunday 9 November XXXX with the tow commencing at 1300 hrs on the same day.
We then visited the tug XXXXXX XXXX and carried out our inspection.

Managing Director: M R Wall, BSc, MSc, FCMS, FIMarEST, CMarTech, MIIMS, MHKMC, QDR

Tug XXXXXX XXXX

Documentation and Certificates
Certificate

Place/Date of Issue & Expiry

Certificate of Registry
Safety Construction Certificate
Safety Equipment Certificate
Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate::
International Loadline Certificate
Tonnage Certificate:
Fire Fighting Appliance Certificate
Minimum Safe Manning Certificate:
Continuous Synopsis Record:
Liferaft Certificate
Hull Special Survey
Drydock Survey
Loading and Stability Information
USA Water Pollution Certificate
USA Certificate of Documentation:
Oil Record Book
IOPP
IAPP
USCG Letter of Compliance
Port State Control Inspection
Flag State Inspection
ISM DOC
ISM SMC
ISPS

Managing Director: M R Wall, BSc, MSc, FCMS, FIMarEST, CMarTech, MIIMS, MHKMC, QDR

GENERAL INFORMATION
1.

Fuel on board:

2.

Lubes on board:

3.

Water on board:

4.

Oxygen bottles:

5.

Acetylene bottles:

6.

Rescue boat:

7.

Outboard engine:

8.

Portable pumps & hoses:

9.

General housekeeping:

10. Bow pud & fenders:

11. Tank vents:
12. Anchors:
13. Towing Winch:

We were informed by the Master of XXXXXX XXXX that the towing arrangement would consist
of two shackles of 3" anchor chain, acting as surge gear, connected to the barge's towing bridle. The
anchor chain would then be connected to the tug's port towing wire with approximately 1,000 yards
paid out during the tow. The tow would be shorted to 200 feet in areas of restricted navigation. It
was anticipated that a speed of 5-6 knots would be attained.
The CCS surveyor who approved the tow stipulated that two tugs should assist the XXXXXX
XXXX during her departure from Zhanjiang.
We sighted the voyage plan and way points entered into the Transas GPS chart plotting equipment.
The vessel has email facilities and will be sending out reports twice daily.
TOW WIRES
PORT
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

STARBOARD

Diameter:
Length:
Manufacturer:
Date New:
Date End for Ended:
Date Replaced:
Previous Mileage:
Mileage for this Voyage:
Total Mileage:
Date Last Lubricated:
Remarks:
General Appearance:
Damage?
Defects:
Length Paid Out for
Inspection:

Managing Director: M R Wall, BSc, MSc, FCMS, FIMarEST, CMarTech, MIIMS, MHKMC, QDR

FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT AND LIFE SAVING APPLIANCES

1.

Lifeboats:

2.

Liferafts:
Hydrostatic releases:

3.

Lifebuoys:

4.

Lifejackets: Number:
IMO type-approved?

5.

Survival suits:

6.

Thermal Protective Aids:

7.

Fixed FFE deck:

8.

Fixed Fire detection:

9.

Fire Lines & Hydrants:

10. International Shore Connection:

11. Fire Hoses & Nozzles:
12. Fire Extinguishers:
13. SCBA:
14. Portable oxygen meters:
15. Bridge Pyrotechnics:
16. Line Throwing Appliance:
17. Lifeboat Pyrotechnics:
18. Emergency Station Bills:
19. Fire Control Plan:

Internal:

External:
20. Escape signs:
21. Work Vests:
22. Alarms:
23. Medical:
24. Line Throwing Gear:

Managing Director: M R Wall, BSc, MSc, FCMS, FIMarEST, CMarTech, MIIMS, MHKMC, QDR

NAVIGATION
1.

One-man bridge operation:

2.

Gyro compass:

3.

Bearing repeaters/azimuth rings:

4.

Autopilot:

5.

Course Recorder:

6.

Standard (Magnetic) Compass:

7.

Date of deviation curve:

8.

Radars:

9.

ARPA

10. Chronometers:
11. GPS:
12. EPIRB:
13. SARTs:
14. Depth Sounder, Recorder or Indicator?
15. GPS Chart Plotter:
16. Log/speed indicator:
17. Rudder indicator:
18. Revolution indicator:
19. Nav. and signal lights:
20. Chart outfit:
21. Navtex receiver:
22. Weather facsimile receiver:
23. Pilot Books & Supplements:
24. Guide to Port Entry:
25. Nautical Almanac:
26. Tide Tables:
27. List of lights:
28. RPM/Speed data:
29. Manoeuvring Data:
30. Daylight signalling lamp:
31. Sextants & Binoculars:
32. Bridge windows:

Managing Director: M R Wall, BSc, MSc, FCMS, FIMarEST, CMarTech, MIIMS, MHKMC, QDR

COMMUNICATIONS
1.

Radio station operator-manned?

2.

Main Tx/Rx:

3.

Facsimile Tx/Rx:

4.

Emergency Tx/Rx:

5.

Emergency Watch Receiver:

6.

Auto alarm 500 kHz:

7.

VHF Radio telephone:

8.

EPIRB:

9.

SOLAS VHF Radios:

10. Emergency batteries:

11. Lists of Radio Signals:
12. Emergency instructions at station:
13. Radio Log:

Managing Director: M R Wall, BSc, MSc, FCMS, FIMarEST, CMarTech, MIIMS, MHKMC, QDR

ENGINE ROOM AND MACHINERY

1.

Main engines:

2.

Boiler:

3.

Auxiliary boiler:

4.

Auxiliary machinery:

5.

Generators:

6.

Purifiers:

7.

Switchboard:

8.

Domestic refrigeration machinery:

9.

Workshops:

10. Spares:
11. UMS:
12. Control room alarms and instrumentation:
13. Fire Detection System:
14. Smothering system:
15. Remote Stops:
16. Oil/Water Separator:
17. Overboard Discharge Alarm:
18. Sanitation system:
19. Sea Valves:
20. Bilge System:
21. Shaft Tunnel/Stern Gland:
22. Emergency escape:
23. Fire-resisting doors:
24. Fire/pollution hazards:
25. Steering gear and emergency system:
26. Emergency Generator:
27. Emergency Fire Pump:
28. Crane/hoist - SWL:
29. Sterntube clearances, leaks, samples:
30. Preventive maintenance system:
31. Emergency signage:

Managing Director: M R Wall, BSc, MSc, FCMS, FIMarEST, CMarTech, MIIMS, MHKMC, QDR

4.

Notes

This Report is issued without prejudice. In our opinion the report constitutes a statement of the
condition of the vessels at the time that the surveys were carried out.

Attending Surveyor
For and on behalf of,
XXX Marine Consultants Ltd

Managing Director: M R Wall, BSc, MSc, FCMS, FIMarEST, CMarTech, MIIMS, MHKMC, QDR