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SMS / S-P-07.50.02 Air Draft & UKC Policy
Approved By: Head of G-SMSC
1 Scope
This chapter is applicable to all ships.
2 Purpose
The purpose of this chapter is to provide Company’s Air draft and UKC policy and its compliance
requirements.
3 Responsibility
It is the responsibility of the Master to ensure that the Company’s Air draft and UKC policies are
NOT breached at any time throughout the voyage except in the following circumstances /
conditions:-
a) With approval from the Company.
b) Without approval of the Company, provided all the following conditions are satisfied:-
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i) Ship has already called that Berth/Terminal/ Port before, where due to the
chart accuracy allowance the Air Draft/ UKC policy is breached;
ii) In case of UKC - Ship has lesser or equal draft than the previous call;
iii) In case of Air Draft - Ship has lesser or equal air draft than the previous
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call;
iv) The Berth/Port / Terminal is not susceptible to silting; and
v) All precautions are taken regarding factors affecting Air Draft and UKC.
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4 Procedure
4.1 Flow Chart for Air Draft and UKC Policy process flow.
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SMS / S-P-07.50.02 Air Draft & UKC Policy
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SMS / S-P-07.50.02 Air Draft & UKC Policy
Approved By: Head of G-SMSC
4.2 Company’s Air Draft Policy
Company’s Air draft policy is that at all times during the voyage a minimum net clearance of 0.60m
shall always be maintained.
Net Clearance (≥ 0.60m) = Charted Clearance – Air Draft – Wave Allowance (0.5m) ± Other factors
as mentioned in Section 2 of S-P-07.50.02APP Air Draft and UKC policy.
4.3 Company’s Minimum UKC Policy
The latest relevant information with regard to draft restrictions shall be available on board for the
port of call. Clearance of objects, with regards to accuracy of data, tides etc, mentioned on charts
should be confirmed from pilot or other local authorities etc. as and when practicable.
Table 1 Minimum UKC
Location Minimum UKC requirement
Berth/ Moored a) 0.60 m+
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(Moored alongside or made fast to b) Sinkage due to squat caused by prevailing current
SBM /CBM moorings) c) Other prevailing factors as mentioned in Section 2 of S-
P-07.50.02APP Air Draft and UKC policy.
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Shallow Waters / Anchor (Note1)
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a) 0.60 m +
b) Sinkage due to Squat +
(Where the charted depth is LESS
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than twice the maximum static draft) c) CATZOC Value (Note 2)+
d) Other prevailing factors as mentioned in Section 2
of S-P-07.50.02APP Air Draft and UKC policy.
Deep Waters / Anchor (Note1) No further calculation is required.
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(Where the charted depth is equal
to or more than twice the maximum
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static draft)
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Malacca Straits and Singapore Straits The minimum static UKC shall not be less than 3.5 m.
(Applicable to VLCCs only) Note: From 50 nm before OFB to Eastern bank
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Note 1: At Anchor, Minimum depth within the swinging circle.
Note 2: CATZOC Value
ZOC Depth Accuracy* (in meters)
A1 0.50 + 1% of depth on chart
A2 & B 1.00 + 2% of depth on chart
C 2.00 + 5% of depth on chart
D C + 0.5 m
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*For paper charts - apply 0.5 m in case CATZOC value is not provided
4.4 Risk Assessment (Refer to Z-091000-03FIG Company Minimum Criteria for conducting Risk
Assessment)
Risk assessment shall be submitted for company approval in the following circumstances:-
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SMS / S-P-07.50.02 Air Draft & UKC Policy
Approved By: Head of G-SMSC
a) Air Draft / UKC policy cannot be complied with except for condition as mentioned in section 3
(b).
b) Ship is first time calling a CATZOC “U” port.
c) Rider clause (Section 4.5 b (i)).
d) Prior "Over the tide operation" (Section 4.7)
4.5 Rider clause
a) If the policies of owner, voyage or time charterers, port authorities or terminal is more
stringent than the Company Policy, same shall be complied with.
b) In case of owner, voyage or time charterers, port authorities or terminal require clearances
less than the company policy, in such cases, Master shall advise the situation to Company
soonest possible. Agreement for the Air Draft/ UKC less than company policy may be given
to ship on case by case basis by DPA, provided following conditions are fully met
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i) A careful risk assessment has been carried out by ship and approved by Company.
ii) Minimum UKC and Air Draft (after allowing sinkage due to squat, heel, wave motion,
accuracy of chart etc) shall not be less than 0.60m at any time.
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4.6 Action required when using Rider clause 4.5.1 b) i)
Ship shall send the following information to the Company:-
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a) Information from the agent “S-075002-02FRM Information from agent”. In case the agent
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is unable to provide such information, seek assistance from the Charterers / Owners.
b) Updated "S-075002-01FRM UKC Calculation Tool". Ensure suitable remarks are included
to avoid "to and from" communication
c) Screen shot of the ENC / Paper charts indicating:-
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i) The planned track of the ship and the depths causing concern.
ii) Nearest distance from the depths causing concern to the ships planned
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track.
d) Tidal information
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4.7 Over the Tide Operations (OTTO)
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It is an operation in which height of tide at a port is utilized in order to increase the quantity of the
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Cargo to be loaded. It can also be utilized for cargo discharging operations.
4.7.1 Charterer’s/ Terminals sometimes require OTTO, it is permitted if it does not breach UKC policy.
4.7.2 OTTO requires proper planning, necessary approvals and close monitoring by all parties involved well
in advance.
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SMS / S-P-07.50.02 Air Draft & UKC Policy
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4.7.3 Following factors shall be considered for OTTO:-
a) No breach of UKC policy
b) Contingency measures
c) Condition and availability of : -
i) Shore Assistance
ii) Cargo Equipment such as Pumps, Cranes etc.
iii) Main engine/ Boiler/ Steering Machinery
iv) Tugs, moorings gangs, pilot etc.
d) To confirm the accuracy of berth depth by actual sounding (If Possible)
4.7.4 OTTO during Discharging
a) When a ship is required to be berthed where the arrival draught exceeds the available
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depth at low water. Ship must discharge sufficient cargo before the low water in order to
maintain the UKC policy.
b) If it is ascertained that ship will not be able to discharge sufficient cargo before the low
water, arrangements shall be made to shift the ship to deeper waters in sufficient time.
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4.7.5 OTTO during Loading
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During low tide if the ship cannot maintain the UKC policy. The ship must:-
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a) Suspend loading at the draught at which it can maintain UKC policy or shift the ship to
deeper waters in sufficient time.
b) Resume loading once the tide rises.
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The departure time shall be fixed considering the time required for cargo measurements, sampling,
documentation, port formalities, unberthing, etc. while maintaining the required UKC.
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4.7.6 Master shall provide all information mentioned in section 4.6
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above when submitting the Risk Assessment for Approval along
with the following but not be limited to : -
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a) Cargo Plan.
b) Tidal calculation in order to meet the UKC policy.
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c) Tidal window for the operation.
d) UKC calculation for all stages of cargo operation
(preferably on hourly basis).
e) Stage where OTTO applies.
f) Stage when cargo to be suspended and resumed.
g) Stage of departure
h) Condition and availability of : -
i) Shore Assistance
ii) Cargo Equipment such as Pumps, Cranes etc.
iii) Main engine/ Boiler/ Steering Machinery
iv) Tugs, moorings gangs, pilot etc.
i) Contingency measures.
5. Documentation
S-P-07.50.02APP Air Draft and UKC policy
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S-075002-01FRM UKC Calculation Tool
S-075002-02FRM Information from agent
NiBiKi module - UKC calculation tool
6. References
S-P-09.10.00 Risk Management
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