TGM 2.1.

5 Cargo gear and loose gear

Valid for: Revision: 0 Date: 2017-12-01
Thome Ship Management (TSM)
Thome Offshore Management (TOM)
Thome Oil & Gas (TOG)
Author: Reviewed by: Approved by:
Technical Support & Head of Technical Support & Innovation CTO
Innovation

Contents
1 Application..................................................................................................................2
2 Purpose......................................................................................................................2
3 Responsibilities...........................................................................................................2
3.1 Master..............................................................................................................2
3.2 Chief officer......................................................................................................2
3.3 Chief engineer..................................................................................................3
4 Operation...................................................................................................................3
4.1 Safety precautions............................................................................................3
4.2 Starting............................................................................................................3
4.3 During operation...............................................................................................4
4.4 Shutting down..................................................................................................4
5 Maintenance...............................................................................................................5
5.1 General principles..............................................................................................5
5.2 Replacement of wires........................................................................................5
5.3 Marks...............................................................................................................6
6 Grabs.........................................................................................................................6
7 Testing.......................................................................................................................6
7.1 Annual testing...................................................................................................6
7.2 Five yearly testing.............................................................................................7
8 Documentation...........................................................................................................7
9 Forms and checklists...................................................................................................8

Page 1 of 8 TGM 2.1.5 Cargo gear and loose Rev 0 of 2017-12-01

gear
1 APPLICATION
This document is applicable to Masters, Chief Engineer and Chief Officers on onboard fully
managed vessels.

2 PURPOSE
The purpose of this document is to specify requirements for cargo gear and loose gear such
as hydraulic cranes and associated loose gear equipment.

Note:
Manufacturer’s operating instructions and maintenance manuals must always be consulted as
each make will differ from another regarding maintenance and operation.

Further information regarding lifting equipment in general may be found in TGP 1.2.4 Personal
safety.

3 RESPONSIBILITIES
3.1 Master
 Report defects to Vessel Manager immediately and take action for repairs.
 Ensure periodical maintenance routines are completed and check randomly.
 Ensure crane load tests completed and records maintained.
 Ensure all crane equipment test certificates on board and records maintained.
 Completes TSM form 033 Checklist for ships cargo gear prior to port arrival where
cargo gear will be used.

Note:
The Master has the overall responsibility for ensuring that the vessel's cranes are adequately
operated and maintained.

3.2 Chief officer

 Ensure all moving parts (wires, sheaves, blocks, hooks etc.) are well lubricated and
greased as per planned maintenance system (PMS).
 Ensure sufficient spares (wires, sheaves, shackle etc.) maintained on board.
 Ensure markings on hooks, blocks and sheaves are same as certificates and cargo gear
register.
 Ensure cranes are inspected after cargo operations and during shift changes to check
for damages and defects.
 Ensure safety precautions followed by crew working on crane and working aloft
permit issued when required.

Page 2 of 8 TGM 2.1.5 Cargo gear and loose Rev 0 of 2017-12-01

gear
Note:
The Chief Officer is responsible for exterior maintenance.

3.3 Chief engineer

 Ensure PMS meets the operational requirements of the crane.
o Contact TSM Technical Department if in doubt.
 Ensure instruction manuals available on board.
 Maintain sufficient crane spares for maintenance.
 Be present during major crane repairs and when load tests conducted.
 Follow and maintain records for BC Checklist 012 Crane Joint Inspection and BC Checklist
012A Cranes Inspection & Testing Report (Each Voyage)
 Ensure personnel are familiar and trained for carrying out crane maintenance.

Note:
The Chief Engineer is directly responsible for all crane maintenance.

1 OPERATION
3.4 Safety precautions

Caution:
The safety precautions below should be regarded a minimum list.
It is Master’s responsibility to ensure that all operations on board are carried out with no harm
to people, the vessel or the cargo.

 Do not fill hydraulic oil while crane is in operation.

 Release hydraulic oil pressure before opening any hydraulic pipeline.
 Check all safety limit switches (luffing, hoisting and slewing), oil levels, electrical switch
gears.
 Never exceed the SWL rating of the crane. Always verify the load.
 Be aware of the location and operation of the emergency stop for the crane.
 Be familiar with the emergency lowering of hook, emergency slewing procedure
and location of emergency manual hydraulic hand pump.
 Be familiar with emergency exit of the crane.
 Know the different SWL rating of the crane in hook and grab service mode.

3.5 Starting
 Ensure all operating levers are in neutral position prior starting.

Page 3 of 8 TGM 2.1.5 Cargo gear and loose Rev 0 of 2017-12-01

gear
  Check oil levels.
 Remove all lashings.
 Remove obstructions in way of the working area of the crane.
 Provide air filters when dusty cargoes are worked.

Warning:

In cold weather, ensure that heating of electric motors in hydraulic system are switched on well
before the crane is to be used. Hydraulic oil is to be circulated by opening bypass valves well in
advance before putting into operation.

3.6 During operation

 Never exceed the SWL rating of the crane.
 Know the SWL of the load to be lifted and below crane SWL.
 Operate slowly when starting to hoist and placing down a load to avoid sudden jerk.
 Appoint an experienced signaller for crane operation.

Note:
Only one man shall give signals. Ensure good visibility and communication between signaller
and crane operator. Refer 1.1.8 A1 Standard ship safety signs for standard hand signals.

 Never swing load above anyone.

 Use messenger lines to avoid excessive swinging when needed.

3.7 Shutting down

 Ensure load is landed.
 Ensure jib is fully rested.
 Put controls in neutral position.
 Close all doors and windows tightly.
 Lash jib and hook for sea movement.

Note:
Leave heating for electric motors and hydraulic oil system on especially in cold weather and
when crane is to be used shortly.

Page 4 of 8 TGM 2.1.5 Cargo gear and loose Rev 0 of 2017-12-01

gear
2 MAINTENANCE
3.8 General principles
 Refill hydraulic oil only through filters. Serious damage may occur.
 Check filters regularly for clogging and damage.
 Record last change of oil. (hoisting winch, transmission gear, luffing winch gear box)

Note:
Normally oil change required at about 2000 running hours, refer to manufacturer's
recommendation.

 Grease movable parts regularly.

 Ensure brake disc, bands, linings are free of grease and oil.
 Switch on space and recirculation heater, especially in cold weather.
 Ensure grease nipples are not clogged or painted over.
 Lubricate wire ropes, especially wire ends.
 Inspect brake linings for wear down.
 Clean interior of crane housing, cabin, and exteriors.

3.9 Replacement of wires

Replace the wire rope if any of the below is noticed:
 12 randomly broken wires in one lay of rope.
 4 broken wires in one strand in one lay.
 1 outer wire is broken at the contact point with the core, which has worked its way
out.
 Wear on individual wires to of ⅓ of original diameter.
 The wire has a kink that either opens the lay or shortens the lay.
 Wires corroded.

Note:

Wires must be renewed as per the condition, manufacturer’s recommendation or owner specific
requirements, whichever is applicable.

Warning:

Correct spare wires must be ordered and checked received on board.

Wire End connections must be checked of proper type for ship use.

Page 5 of 8 TGM 2.1.5 Cargo gear and loose Rev 0 of 2017-12-01

gear
3.10 Marks
 Crane SWL must be clearly marked on the crane jib.
 The SWL for hook service and grab service shall be marked.

4 GRABS
Grabs must be maintained fit for service always.
Chief Engineer must:
 Carry out grab maintenance and tests.
 Check for sufficient spares on board to carry out repairs (example: one set of hydraulic
hoses)
 Rectify any grab defects promptly.
Chief Officer must:
 Ensure grabs are clean and free of previous cargo residues.
 Ensure all markings, such as S.W.L. etc. are clearly displayed.
 Test grabs at intervals not exceeding three months.
 Ensure spill plates are added / removed depending on density of the cargo and
capacity of the grab.
 Ensure grabs are properly secured for sea voyage.
o Ensure grabs are clean and free of previous cargo residues.
o Ensure all markings, such as S.W.L. etc. are clearly displayed.
o Test grabs at intervals not exceeding three months.
o Ensure spill plates are added/removed depending on density of the cargo and
capacity of the grab.
o Ensure grabs are properly secured for sea voyage.

5 TESTING

5.1 Annual testing

 Must be done at least every 12 months.
 Competent persons - Master, Chief Engineer or Chief Officer

Note:

Can do annual testing provided the Certificate of Class (COC) does not have a notation
referring to the cranes.

 Recommended that this be done at the time of annual surveys.

Page 6 of 8 TGM 2.1.5 Cargo gear and loose Rev 0 of 2017-12-01
gear
  Attending surveyor shall be asked to stamp the cargo register.

5.2 Five yearly testing

 Cargo gear must be load tested.

Safe Working Load

Test Load
(SWL)

SWL < 20 tons SWL + 25% SWL

20 ≤ SWL ≤ 50 tons SWL + 5 tons
SWL ≥ 50 tons SWL + 10% SWL
 SWL Test load Up to 20 tonnes 25 per cent in excess 20 to 50 tonnes 5 tonnes in excess
Over 50 tonnes 10 per cent in excess.
o Must be recorded in the cargo gear register.

Caution:

Loading testing recording can only be done by class surveyor.

 All loose gear must be tested and thoroughly examined by class.

Note:

Class testing requirements may be less extensive than those of national or flag authorities. In
order to avoid possible later issues with statutory authorities, the Company recommends that
the Master and Vessel Manager take the opportunity to test all loose gear during dry docking.

6 DOCUMENTATION
Following documents must be available always with the Master.
 Cargo Gear Register:
o All cargo gear must be entered in the cargo gear register. This includes all
loose gear such as hooks, blocks, chains etc.
o Must contain a “rigging plan” that lists where all lose gear is being used, i.e.
which blocks, hooks, swivels etc. are being used with which crane etc.
o All lifting gear must be certified and the certificate must be on file, ready for
inspection when required.
o Certificates shall list the identification mark on each item of gear.
 Wire rope test certificates, duly marked with the date and location where wire has
been used or kept as spare.
 Test certificates, if any, of blocks used in the crane or kept spare.

Page 7 of 8 TGM 2.1.5 Cargo gear and loose Rev 0 of 2017-12-01

gear
7 FORMS AND CHECKLISTS
TSM form 033 Checklist for Ships cargo gear

8 APPENDICES
TGM 2.1.5 A1 Crane joint inspection (BULK Carriers)
TGM 2.1.5 A2 Cranes inspection and testing report (each voyage) (BULK CARRIERS)

Page 8 of 8 TGM 2.1.5 Cargo gear and loose Rev 0 of 2017-12-01

gear