Typhoon Signal No. 8 and a request to shift berths
Typhoon Signal No. 8 has been issued. A local workboat is moored in a crowded typhoon shelter with two crew on board; the owner wants to shift it four nautical miles to another shelter because he believes the first is too exposed. The operator checks the single 180 kW engine: it starts, but one of the two starting batteries is weak, and the cooling-water pump seal drips. Visibility is poor, rain is heavy, and port control is broadcasting instructions on the VHF. The vessel's local certificate and manning are in order, but the master is off duty ashore and can be contacted only by telephone. The owner says the move is urgent and that 'the engine operator can take her across'. The operator must decide whether to prepare for sea and what to tell the owner.
1. What factors determine whether the vessel should move at all?
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First separate commercial pressure from safety. The decision to move belongs to the master; if the master is ashore, the operator should not simply take the owner's instruction as authority. Consider weather and sea state, shelter crowding, engine reliability (weak battery and leaking seal), visibility, traffic, crew experience and port control instructions. Signal No. 8 generally means small craft should remain in shelter unless movement is necessary and safe. If the vessel is adequately moored and the move is not essential, staying is the safer default. Any move needs a passage plan, lifejackets, anchors ready and a confirmed engine start.
2. What checks and communications would you complete before getting underway?
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Before starting, check fuel, cooling water, oil, bilge, battery charge, starting air, steering and controls. Run the engine ahead and astern at the berth and check for leaks. Test VHF, navigation lights, anchor and windlass. Brief the crew, close openings and ensure lifejackets are worn. Notify port operations or VTS and monitor the channel; follow any instructions or channel closures. Confirm the local certificate and manning cover the intended passage. The weak battery should be charged or changed before departure, and the leaking seal monitored; if either is unsafe, do not move.
3. If the engine fails during the move, what is your plan?
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Immediately control the vessel and anchor in a safe position clear of the fairway if possible. Display not-under-command lights or shapes and make a VHF safety call to port control and nearby traffic. Inform the master and owner, assess the restart fault and request assistance. Do not drift without warning. Record times and actions. The priority is to avoid collision and grounding, not to keep to the owner's schedule.