Swedish Club gives heavy weather loss prevention advice

Written by Nick Blenkey
image description

JULY 8, 2014 — Modern weather routing techniques have made facing heavy weather considerably less hazardous. Still, such techniques are not a cure-all and a new report from The Swedish Club published today, Heavy Weather, offers guidance on how to avoid the many problems associated with heavy weather conditions.

The Club explains how, with the correct preparation and procedures, a vessel can minimize the effects of sailing through heavy weather. The advice is backed up by case studies that clearly demonstrate that the best prevention against heavy weather casualties is to plan the route properly and to reduce speed and alter course as required.

Statistics show that that Heavy Lift, Container and RoRo vessels are at the highest risk of suffering hull damage when sailing through adverse weather conditions, with the majority of all H&M (hull and machinery) insurance heavy weather claims occurring in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. On the other hand, most cargo claims occur on Container vessels. RoRo vessels are of particular interest as heavy weather claims cover both damage to cargo, but also hull damage associated with incorrectly secured cargo.

“This is a problem that affects not only the P&I side of our business but also our H&M claims handling,” says Lars Malm, the Swedish Club’s Director, Strategic Business Development & Client Relationship, who commissioned the report. “Typical claims include damage to/ loss of cargo, structural damage to a vessel, or damage to machinery and equipment. These can result from poorly secured cargo hatches, improperly secured heavy cargo, and the phenomenon of parametric rolling – an instability inherent in some new hull forms.”

“Warnings about the development of a hurricane or other serious weather phenomenon are usually available many days before the weather arrives,” says Mr.Malm. “The key is how this information is being used and what preventive measures are being taken. We see examples of the crew not managing to avoid the heavy weather, not slowing down or altering course to avoid large waves pounding the vessel.”

Ports do not always offer a place of safety.

“Ironically we have also dealt with cases of the damage that can be caused if the vessel stays in port when heavy weather is approaching,” says Mr. Malm. “There can be damage not only to the vessel itself but also to other vessels and facilities, in addition to an increasing risk of running aground.”

The Swedish Club publication offers useful checklists that cover the importance of adhering to the cargo-securing manual, guidance on course and speed, and managing ballast conditions in the vessel. However, as Mr. Malm adds: “The best preventive measure any vessel can take against heavy weather damage is to slow down and to alter to a more favorable course.”

Heavy Weather is the latest in The Swedish Club’s series of Loss Prevention publications. You can access it HERE

Categories: Safety and Security Tags:

Leave a Reply