Preparing docks and slips for vessel operations

This standard identifies the competencies you need to carry out dock and slip preparations for docking, slipping, launching or floatation activities of marine vessels or structures, within approved procedures. The facilities to be prepared will include tidal/non-tidal river and basin approach arrangements for surface, sub-surface and semi-submersible vessels. This will involve the marking out of the dock or slip arrangement to indicate the positions of the plinth, block, shore, breast, cradle and wire cable tensioning devices, in line with the vessel docking plan and associated drawings. Further sequential activities will involve the positioning and build up of the arrangements to accommodate the vessel or structure in a safe manner during and completion of the docking/slipping process, after which, breast shores, cut-up and bilge shores will be fitted and hardened off.

Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the preparation of the docks and slips and to report problems with these activities that you cannot personally resolve, or are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You must ensure that all tools, equipment and materials used in the process are removed from the work area on completion of the activities and that all necessary documentation is completed accurately and legibly. You will be expected to work with a minimum of supervision, taking personal responsibility for your actions and for the quality and accuracy of the work that you carry out.

Your underpinning knowledge will provide a good understanding of your work and will provide an informed approach to the preparation of the docks and slips and an understanding of the importance and implications of the activities in docking/slipping /floating of marine vessels and structures.

You will understand the safety precautions required when carrying out the preparation activities, especially those that require special safeguards to protect yourself and others. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout and will understand the responsibility you owe to yourself and others in the workplace.

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1. work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines

2. follow the relevant operational procedures when carrying out your activities

3. carry out your activities within the limits of your competence and personal authority
4. prepare the docks and slips correctly for the required activities
5. report any instances where the activities cannot be fully met
6. complete relevant documentation in line with organisational
   procedures and pass them on to the appropriate person
7. dispose of waste materials in accordance with safe working practices and approved procedures
8. make sure that the required safety arrangements are in place to protect other workers from activities likely to disrupt normal working

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1. the specific safety practices and procedures that you need to observe when preparing docks and slips for berthing, docking, and floating operations (including legislation/regulations/codes of practice for the activities, vessels and or structures) and the responsibility these requirements place on you
2. the permit to work procedure that applies to the preparation activities

3. the importance of wearing protective clothing and other appropriate safety equipment (PPE) during the preparation and subsequent operation

4. how to obtain and interpret marine drawings and physical layouts, charts, specifications, vessel builders' manuals, history/maintenance reports, graphical symbols

5. the basic principle of dock/slip preparation and the purpose of the individual components within the process
6. the methods of marking out the dock/slip centre line and the tools and equipment used for this
7. the different types of capping and structures used in the processes and their application (such as hard and soft woods and their compressive properties)
8. the different types of structural support and cradle equipment and their purposes
9. the types of instruments used to align and level the plinths, blocks and cradles
10. the care, calibration, handling and application of measuring/levelling instruments/devices
11. company policy on the repair/replacement of materials and the process for obtaining replacements, and other consumables
12. the techniques used to assemble plinths and cradles
13. methods of securing wire tensioning devices and rigging wires for vessel manoeuvring in the process
14. methods of providing clear markings to prepared components, to assist with the process
15. tools and equipment used in the preparation process, their care and readiness/fitness for purpose (such as mauls, wedges, dogs and wood cutting equipment, both powered and hand operated)
16. how to make adjustments to assemblies to ensure that they function correctly
17. the importance of final security checks before subsequent operations take place
18. the generation of documentation and/or reports following the preparation
19. typical problems that can occur during the dock/slip preparation activities and how they can be overcome
20. the extent of your own authority and whom you should report to if you have problems that you cannot resolve

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1. Carry out all of the following during the preparation of the docks and slips:

   1. use the correct issue of the vessel/structure drawings/plans
   2. adhere to risk assessment, COSHH and other relevant safety standards
   3. obtain clearance to work in the dock or slip
   4. provide safe access and working arrangements for the preparation of the area
   5. carry out the preparation activities, using recognised and approved procedures and techniques
   6. leave the work area in the prescribed category of cleanliness and ready for the required operations

2. Carry out all of the following dock and slip preparation activities to the vessel/structure:

   1. prepare the dock bottom and/or slip, using working drawings/sketches and notes from associated vessel/structure drawings, as supplied
   2. determine the dock/slip centre line
   3. measure and mark out the plinth, cut-up, shore, cradle and breast positions
   4. dress the breast shores
   5. erect sighting battens
   6. position and secure plinths with dogs and chains plinths
   7. build up dock blocks on plinths and shape if required
   8. level and line the blocks
   9. secure blocks to plinths with chains/rigging screws
   10. shape and cut wooden formers and members
   11. assemble cradles (wood, metal or concrete)
   12. fit and secure  block capping with dogs, as specified
   13. erect and assemble cradles supplied
   14. cap off cradles as directed
   15. form off caps to address the shape of the vessel
   16. clear the dock slip for subsequent operations  

3. Carry out all of the following docking and slipping activities:

   1. lay out and secure wires to the vessel
   2. tension check and veer cables, as directed
   3. man up and operate wire tensioning devices and winches, as directed 
   4. man up, pack and wedge breast shores, when directed
   5. when vessel/structure is docked in position, man up and position bilge cut-ups and shores, and assist in the slinging into position, and packing and wedging of the shores (as directed)

4. Carry out all of the following undocking and floating activities:

   1. remove bilge shores and cut-ups
   2. man up and operate wire tensioning devices, as directed
   3. remove breast shores when clear of the vessel
   4. remove wires and cables from the vessel

5. Use two of the following to assist with the levelling and alignment of the dock blocks:

   1. u-tube
   2. level line
   3. theodolite
   4. laser equipment

6. Carry out the preparation processes, in accordance with one of the following:

   1. contracted requirements
   2. corporate procedures
   3. vessel/structure docking plans
   4. international maritime procedures

7. Complete the relevant documentation in line with organisational
   procedures, to include one of the following and pass it to the appropriate people:

   1. transposed dock/slip drawings and notes
   2. work authorisation documents
   3. vessel docking/undocking floating/slipping plans
   4. other specific recording method

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Behaviours:

You will be able to apply the appropriate behaviours required in the workplace to meet the job profile and overall company objectives, such as:

• strong work ethic
• positive attitude
• team player
• dependability
• responsibility
• honesty
• integrity
• motivation
• commitment

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3

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29 Apr 2021

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Current

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Original

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Semta

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SEMME3198

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Marine Engineering Trades

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5235

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Engineering; marine; prepare; docks; slips; launch; flotation; surface; semi-submersible; sub-surface

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