06/016 - Lighterage Operations

The VLCC on an average bring about 2 million barrels of crude mostly fm West Africa arrive the lightering zone demarcated exclusively on either side of the safety fairways in the Gulf of Mexico .Thereafter an Aframax tanker carry out lightering in the Gulf of Mexico and loading approx 500,000 -600,000 bbls crude oil.

After completing discharging operations vessel proceeds to sea which is normally about 3-4 hours from the seabuoy . The Bridge Team remains very busy whilst the vessel navigates from berth to the lighterage area ,extensive use of VHF is used for collision avoidance due to many fishing vessels and pleasure crafts who have navigate with no concern to safety of navigation .Master remains busy handling emails sending and receiving messages to port authorities and charterers etc.

Once at the lighterage position the hose are connected and tanks are surveyed which takes about 2 hours ,loading operations take about 12-14 hours thereafter the vessel is unmoored taking another 1 hour or so .The entire operation takes about 18-20 hours .The Aframax tanker ship then proceeds to the pilot stn abt 3 hours away and takes a pilot fm seabuoy to berth which is 3-30 hrs depending on the Port of discharge .Once the vessel arrives at the discharge port it is along side for about 20 hours for discharging and tanks surveyed.
 

The operations in the Gulf of Mexico is very intense and goes about with clockwork precision .No room for error and zero tolerance from all quarters .

Apart from the above operational requirements following are the additional factors contributing to fatigue.

1. Vetting inspections on an average to about 12 per year since the vessels are on spot market and have to be approved by various oil majors at any time .Additionally vsl is subject to audits like the Green award ,Internal audits, External audits ,Vessel Inspection, PSC,ISPS audits.
2. No shore leave or restricted timings makes life monotonous.
3. No timely reliefs leaves crew agitated, and aggressive.
4. Endless Paperwork -Company, Charterers,Port formalities and Emailing soft copies.
5. Total Mangement given to the ship, right from budgeting ,taking quotes, confirming vendors ,confirming supply. booking offsigners flight tickets and coordinating with transportation agts to complete formalities with immigration/customs.Liasing with transportation agts to deliver spares.Port expenditure to be accounted for the port turnaround.
6. Mundane operations day in and day out without any respite.
7. No time to recoup like a sea passage of even 5 days where one can pull oneself together.
8. Inexperienced junior officers can put a strain on the others as they have to double up/cover up for his inexperience.

The only time the Master is able to relax a little is is during loading provided the weather is good.