#cannot handle weather above 25°c

[drones12]

Drone Use In The Marine and Yachting Environment

Introduction:

Today's drones are amazing machines that can do amazing things in water and marine environments. They can be used to spot schools of fish, find anchorages or holes in the water to drop anchor, find assigned shoals, check unspoiled beaches or islands, find wrecks or wrecks. 'into the water, take great videos and photos. of the ship at anchor or underway, or even keep storage or other gear in the interior area.

However, drones should be handled in different ways when used in terrestrial or terrestrial environments, in addition to some types suitable for marine and marine environments.

1: Types and types of drones

There are many issues to consider when choosing drones for this environment: DJI and Yuneec make many drones that can be used in this environment. Splash Drone is waterproof and is a great drone for this environment. GoPro and DJI have just introduced a small new version of the "folder" that fits in a small backpack and can fly for more than 20 minutes in more than 20 knots of wind!

A: Size - consider how and where you will store your drone in your boat - in a berth, in storage, in the cockpit. The drone should be stored in a safe place where visitors and crew will not throw objects at the drone or hit or shoot the drone.

B: Flight time - consider flight time and battery power. Small drones can have less than 10 minutes of flight time while larger drones fly for up to 25 minutes. For normal video, 10 minutes of flight time may be enough, but if you plan to use the drone to find a school back or a remote airport, consider buying a drone with a longer flight time. C: Camera – Most drones use their own camera, while others may use an external camera such as a Gopro or DSLR. These cameras range from low resolution with images stored on a memory card while others can have 4K resolution (media quality) and transfer live images via WIFI to a smartphone, tablet or device. External cameras often offer the owner options and high resolution, but may not be integrated with the included control system.

An example is the Yuneec Typhoon G designed to take 4K photos with a GoPro Hero3 or 4. This is a great setup that can have stable video in most weather conditions. However, while the operator can see what the camera is seeing on the LCD screen of the Typhoon controller, the operator cannot control any GoPro camera features - the operator must activate the video recording button on the GoPro before turning it off, when the body. can turn off the video clip after the drone recovery. The built-in camera can be controlled from the controller.

D: Ability to control air conditions - This is an important issue for users to keep in mind when buying a drone. Many smaller and older drones, such as the older Parrot AR drone or the new SYMA X5SW drone, lack many features and cannot support flight above 5-10 knots of wind. In addition, these drones do not have a stable gimbal camera to allow for smooth gyrations in the air. Larger drones and drones with better electronics and gimbal cameras have better video capabilities in strong winds.

E: Salvageable - most small drones do not have "home" capabilities and are difficult to enter in all situations. Many new drones have very open "docking" capabilities and can land directly on their launch pad.

Most, if not all drones today use GPS. Other drones use hand-held or wrist-mounted devices to allow the drone to "head" to a controller or other device. The new drones incorporate a combination of visual recognition and GPS tracking of the controller. The latest DJI Drone features a ground-facing camera that takes thousands of photos while taking off and uploads photos to the landing site. In my opinion, this is an awesome technology if you are using a drone from a boat or a moving boat!

Another feature of the new drones included is collision technology that allows the drone to "see" and avoid parts of ships, radar arcs and other objects that can interfere with the aircraft or navigation.

2. Safe use of a drone on board - A drone is a robot that uses powerful motors to rotate propellers - propellers can cause serious damage in the event that the drone comes into contact with the operator or guests on board . Operators need to know who is near the drone, both during take-off and landing. In addition, operators should avoid hitting radar detectors, stabilizers, flags, flybridges, and other vessels in ship operations. Operators should be sure to plan how they will use the drone - bow, back, open space or high altitude.

3. Safety of the drone in the boat - I highly recommend using something soft or hard to transport and secure the drone in a boat, boat or boat. Bringing a drone aboard a boat, ship or boat without safety precautions is asking for damage to happen.

4. Maintenance of your drone on board - Be sure to include small tools and equipment for use with the drone: small tools and screwdrivers, small Allen keys, spare screws, small wrenches, nuts and propeller cover, propeller. Removal tools, pocket knife, zip ties, tape, mouthwash, silicone spray to protect your drone from salt water and salt air, etc. A large spray bottle of fresh water will be needed to wash off the salt water if your drone goes swimming!

[nomanaliseo]

Easy Skin Care Tips By Top Hair Salon in Delhi NCR

Top Hair Salon in Delhi NCR : Healthy skin produces a natural glow. However, if the skin isn’t healthy or taken care of tolerably, then it can look dull and lifeless. Having a healthy and radiant skin is combination of products, practice and patience.

Protecting outer most layer of skin is extremely important; Top Hair Salon in Delhi NCR are cognizant of the essential CTMP technique. Selection of skin care products play important role for glowing skin. One needs a bunch of skin care products for daily skin care regime. Cleansers, toners, moisturizer and sun blocks are basic skin care products are needed to take care of the skin condition and also to guard skin from harsh UV rays and weather. Products should be selected consistent with skin type (dry, oily, combination and mature). along side CTMP technique, night creams, day creams and serums also are a neighborhood of daily skin care tips. Every skin type keeps on changing its nature with changing weather, so skin care products should be adjusted accordingly. Apply sunscreen with SPF of a minimum of 15 to 25 that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots and other skin problems. you’ve got to guard your skin from the sun. Don’t Skip the sunscreen, whether it’s cloudy or cold outside.

With above daily skin care tips by Top Hair Salon in Delhi NCR exfoliation of dead skin cells is additionally vital a part of skin care. Your skin undergoes a natural turnover cycle every 30 days approximately. When this happens, the topmost layer of skin cells (epidermis) sheds, revealing new skin cells. Sometimes dead skin cells don’t fully shed, resulting in dry patches and flaky skin. Exfoliation is indispensable. A minimum of once every week, exfoliate your skin to get rid of the dead skin cells for healthy glow and brighter skin. Selection of Exfoliator should be done consistent with skin type.

Don’t forget to pamper yourself with good quality of facial. A mild facial massage is must to stay your skin nourished and glowing. Once in fifteen days a correct facial with exfoliation is required to take care of skin condition. Oily skin or acne prone skin should be handled very carefully. Time to time proper pack up or professional care is required for such quite skin.

You are what you eat – Eat fresh fruits, greens, sufficient protein and vitamins. A diet rich in vitamin C and low in fats and sugar promotes radiant skin. Drink a minimum of 8 to 10 glasses of water to stay your body hydrated.

Try to sleep for 8 hours nightly for healthy and glowing skin. If don’t get proper sleep then skin will look tired. You’ll have dark eye circles and puffy eyes.

Exercise in any form, is extremely important a part of life. Running, jogging and yoga will give your body the required blood circulation, and also accelerate the cleansing process of your entire body. You’ll notice a glow on your face after understanding.

For glowing and healthy skin, one should adopt a healthy lifestyle. You cannot have glowing and radiant skin during a day, one has got to be regular for skin care regime and specialise in lifestyle routine and eating habits, as we all know our health shows from our skin. Top Hair Salon in Delhi NCR

#top hair salon in delhi ncr

[lawrenceparkhill-blog]

Which is Better – a Cool Roof or Green Roof?

When selecting a roofing system, there are various choices for roofing contractors, including thermoplastic, EPDM, steel, shingles, greens roofing systems as well as even more. While each of these possesses its very own advantages and also downsides, amazing roof coverings as well as environment-friendly roofs existing facility proprietors with excellent alternatives. Amazing roofings mirror sunlight and also heat back into the atmosphere while eco-friendly roofs aid soak up the sunlight and heat before it can enter the building. After selecting to utilize an eco-friendly roof or cool roofing, the roofing contractor must consider the pros and cons of each in order to decide which would certainly be best for the building. Great roofs are a sensible option and also made of materials that help show the sun's power with light paints, roof covering ceramic tiles, coatings as well as roof shingles. Another choice is a vegetative roofing system that holds plant and also decreases reflective warm. Environment-friendly and great roofs aid buildings in highly-populated locations stay awesome by boosting the "heat island impact." Streets, parking lots and rooftops add to the warmth island impact as well as could bring roof covering surface temperatures as much as 70 levels hotter compared to the ambient temperature level. Eco-friendly roofing systems help a building support air above the roofing to near ambient temperature level.

History

Buildings in hot climates worldwide have been made light of for centuries. Environment-friendly roofing systems are not a brand-new principle either and are among man's earliest roofing systems. Ancient roof yards were set up as much back as 2020 BC in Mesopotamia, as well as have been commonly made use of in Europe for greater than 70 years.

Benefits

Among the largest benefits to having an amazing roof covering or a green roofing when compared to various other options is the looks the roof system generates. These roofs have actually been recognized to reduce energy costs by reducing a/c needs, improve indoor convenience for areas that are not air conditioned as well as decrease roofing system temperature level, which could extend life span. An additional benefit to having a great roof or eco-friendly roof is the ecological effect. These roofing choices minimize regional air temperature level and lower optimal electrical power demands that can help avoid power interruptions. When an awesome roof is used on a nuclear power plant, discharges could be decreased, including co2, sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxides and mercury. Environment-friendly roofs can reduce noise seepage as well as deal hailstorm protection. They can additionally extend the lifecycle of the roof system by eliminating the UV rays from directly striking the roofing system membrane layer. Another benefit is the layout to postpone, filter as well as decrease the volume of tornado water overflow. Green roofs commonly hold in between 50 and 60 percent of storm water, which decreases demand on tornado drains. Last but not least, eco-friendly or yard roofing systems offer a cosmetically pleasing resting or strolling area to building lessees. Tenants are not the only ones that can gain from an environment-friendly or yard roofing system. Having a green or yard roof covering can give lessees with the option of developing an environment for birds and also insects.

Disadvantages/Considerations

While there are several advantages to having a trendy roofing system or an environment-friendly roofing system, there are likewise negative aspects and also common considerations that come along with these roof systems. One of the most famous disadvantages to an eco-friendly roofing system is that it will require an irrigation system in specific environments to sprinkle the plants, which can be pricey and also roof covering yards are not always upkeep free. Relying on the plant life, weeding and fertilization might additionally be required. Take into consideration the geographical influence that having a cool or green roof set up might position. There are many restrictions to think about when mounting an awesome roof in specific areas of the United States. Areas in the northern half of the country require even more heating cost compared to cooling down cost; in this situation there is no advantage to an awesome roofing system. Facilities should think about the possibility of an eco-friendly or trendy roof's decently raising heating expenses in wintertime. The little rise in heating expenses can be credited to a couple of reasons. Cold weather bring much less hours of sunlight creating the sun's all-natural heat to mirror off of the roof instead of be absorbed by it. An increase in prices throughout the winter must be considered when preferring to set up a trendy roofing or green roofing system. Awesome roofing systems achieve the greatest cooling financial savings in warm environments. Lastly, there are additionally potential aesthetic negative aspects. Among the largest visual negative aspects is that cool, reflective roofings could trigger an unwanted glare. Undesirable glare can be an annoyance to next-door neighbors or other businesses that are close by. One more drawback is that amazing roofing systems have the tendency to be varying shades of white, making dirt and grime much more visible. Eco-friendly roofings tend to be very hefty; some approximately 25 lbs. each square foot when loaded with water. Several frameworks simply cannot handle that load.

Price and also Energy Financial savings

Among one of the most essential things to think about when weighing the alternatives between an environment-friendly roof covering as well as a cool roofing system is the long-term expense and also energy cost savings. The mount price of a cool roofing is not always more expensive compared to a non-cool roofing system, which is an usual mistaken belief amongst structure owners. Cool roofing systems accomplish the greatest air conditioning savings in hot climates. The costs have the tendency to go into the formula when a standard roof covering in great condition is converted into an awesome roof covering. The change process could obtain fairly expensive and also should be reviewed carefully. When adding a new roof covering system, building proprietors could conserve money by having the roofing contractor add more insulation to the roofing system. Environment-friendly roofings may additionally be eligible for city, state, as well as federal discounts, gives and other motivations to assist counter their price. When mounting an eco-friendly roof covering it is necessary to install a "beefy" roof membrane layer. If there's a leak, the plant life as well as growth media should be gotten rid of to earn the repair work. For the most parts, the cost to eliminate the eco-friendly roof covering is taken care of by the structure proprietor.

Environment and also Atmosphere

The final thing to consider when a contractor is weighing the alternatives of installing a cool roof covering is moisture control. A business situated in cozy, wet climates with a trendy roof covering can be a lot more vulnerable to algae and also mold and mildew development. However, there are alternatives to manage dampness. Special coverings as well as chemicals that protect against mold and mildew or algae from expanding are available. In cool climates, trendy roof coverings can gather moisture through condensation otherwise made properly. Cool roof coverings in north locations can lower the humidity to where it's in the roof covering system and also create condensation as well as dampness to migrate right into the roof. In these instances, a vapor barrier needs to be made use of, adding to the overall price. Condensation can be avoided making use of proper design techniques.

Conclusion

The idea of setting up a trendy or green roofing is a decision that professionals need to examine properly. A few things to think about when selecting a roof covering system consist of geography, tenancy and also insulation thickness. There are lots of

[georgecmatthews]

Municipal market update and sector thoughts

The world was a different place only a few weeks ago. Municipal bond funds had experienced 60 straight weeks of inflows – a record streak totaling around $75 billion.1 But fast forward to the week ending March 18, 2020, and fears of COVID-19 caused municipal funds to experience $12 billion in outflows, another record.2 Outflows began mostly in high yield funds, forcing fund managers to sell bonds to meet redemptions. Because most high yield municipal funds hold 30%-60% of their positions in investment grade bonds, selling pressure rippled through the entire municipal market, leading to further outflows across municipal funds. As markets tumbled, investors shifted from a “flight to quality” stance to “flight to cash,” putting pressure on short-term municipal securities and resulting in larger than expected price declines in short and ultra-short municipal funds.

Liquidity, liquidity, liquidity

Market participants in all markets, not just municipals, have been seeking liquidity. Sellers have been willing to accept large discounts, further driving down prices. However, on March 20, the Federal Reserve (Fed) stepped in to provide liquidity to the municipal market. The Fed announced it will allow short-term municipal bonds to be used as collateral in its emergency lending program. The Fed further expanded its support to municipals by including variable-rate demand notes (VRDNs), which are widely held by money market funds. Making short-term municipal bonds eligible as collateral in emergency Fed lending has increased the demand for these securities, improved liquidity and allowed the municipal market to find more stable footing as of March 24. 

Below we highlight the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on some key municipal sectors that we follow:

Higher education

Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, Moody’s upgraded its 2020 outlook for the higher education sector to stable from negative, citing steady revenue growth and solid reserves. Because of the coronavirus, higher education institutions have announced their transition to online learning, closed dorms and sent students home. We believe higher education institutions generally have resources to help cushion the impact of temporary reductions in revenue and increases in expenses related to the coronavirus. These resources may include cash, investments, endowments, government funding and ongoing contributions from alumni and other donors. But the overall impact on the sector depends on the severity and duration of the virus. The impact on individual institutions will likely vary according to their overall financial strength prior to the virus outbreak. Smaller, poorly capitalized institutions that rely heavily on tuition revenue, and those already challenged by declining enrollment and financial resources, will likely be more significantly affected if the impact of the virus is prolonged. 

Public power, water and sewer

These utilities are viewed as essential services, vital to America. We expect these services to continue to be provided and used. In the unlikely event of large revenue declines in these sectors, it is our belief that state and federal governments would step in to provide the necessary support.

Hospitals

Hospitals may face higher expenditures (staffing, overtime, supplies) if inpatient volumes increase and patient stays become lengthy due to COVID-19. The proportion of low-margin business (urgent care and outpatient visits) may rise, as patients seek to determine their illness, and higher-margin business declines as elective surgeries are delayed. Fortunately, a large majority of hospitals have planned for seasonal flu and other outbreaks, and many have liquidity and plans in place to handle a crisis. Because the population most at risk are the elderly, who are covered by Medicare, we do not foresee a huge surge in uninsured patients due to the pandemic.

Airports

Although airports are experiencing decreased activity, they generally maintain strong liquidity and debt service coverage, and we do not expect defaults in this sector. According to Moody’s, the median days of cash on hand for the sector was 659 in fiscal year 2018, the highest since Moody’s began tracking this metric in 1999.3 It is worth noting that airports have weathered difficult market conditions before, including the sharp drop-off in travel post 9/11, without default.

Additionally, many of the large airports have either “residual” or “hybrid” use and lease agreements with signatory airlines, in which airlines are obligated to cover the net costs and debt service of the entire airport in the event that revenue from airport operations is insufficient. Failure to do so could result in the termination of airlines’ landing slots and/or terminal gates. Some airports have a “compensatory” rate-making framework, in which airlines are only charged for the costs of the facilities they use. These airports could be at risk of a credit downgrade if there is a prolonged downturn in airline activity. However, airports operating under this framework tend to have slightly higher levels of liquidity and debt service coverage. Notably, the credit profile of an airport is largely insulated from the financial profile of its parent government because of Federal Aviation Administration limitations on the distribution of excess revenues to the parent government.

Toll roads

Like the airport sector, toll roads will likely see a decrease in activity but, because of strong liquidity and debt service coverage, we do not expect a material increase in downgrades or defaults. The use of toll roads was healthy prior to the coronavirus outbreak, and we expect it to recover when the crisis abates. Toll roads are also supported by fully funded debt service reserve funds that are typically sized at the lesser of a) the maximum annual debt service, b) 10% of outstanding debt and c) 1.25 times average annual debt service, further providing a financial cushion.4

State general obligation bonds

Invesco Fixed Income expects the credit quality of most states to remain stable because of historically high rainy-day funds and the ability to manage revenues and withhold payments to local governments, such as cities and school districts. In fiscal 2019, the median rainy day fund equaled 7.5% of general fund spending, which is an all-time high and compares to roughly 5% before the 2009 recession.5 States most likely to be hurt by the economic fallout of the coronavirus are those heavily reliant on tourism and the oil and gas sectors. Also, states with high underfunded pension liabilities may need to increase pension contributions because of low market returns, but we believe these states will face increased credit downgrade risk and not increased default risk.

Continuing care retirement communities (CCRC)

CCRCs are at risk, but we believe a repeat of the tragic situation in Washington State becomes less likely as more is understood about controlling the spread of the virus. CCRCs serve the population most vulnerable to the virus but they offer all levels of care with health staff onsite that can detect and treat residents as soon as the virus is detected. Seniors living in a CCRC would likely receive treatment sooner than seniors living at home. However, any CCRC, even one with no contagion, faces the idiosyncratic risk that it could be perceived as a health risk, and that could impact its ability to attract future residents.

Looking ahead

We cannot predict when the coronavirus pandemic will abate or how acute market volatility will be going forward. But we believe there will be a bottom at some point. Municipal credits have a long history of low default rates, and while we might receive a temporary tax break or a government check, none of these will permanently lower our taxes. Municipal bonds are one of the few sources of income that is not subject to federal taxes — and that income is now more attractive than it was at the beginning of the month.

Professional management is fundamental

Invesco Fixed Income’s team of dedicated municipal credit analysts is among the most seasoned in the industry with over 21 years of research experience.6 Our team continuously analyzes the municipal universe to identify investment opportunities or deterioration in credit quality. Site visits are an important part of our bottom-up fundamental research process. Credit analysts perform 150-200 site visits and management conference calls per year. This specialization means that every bond is thoroughly vetted before being selected for portfolios.

1 Source: Lipper, data as of February 26, 2020

2 Source: Lipper, data as of March 18, 2020

3 Source: Moody’s, “Fiscal 2018 Medians Economic growth, lower fares continue to under financial performance (Airports – US),” November 20, 2019

4 Source: Invesco

5 Source: Moody’s, “2020 outlook stable with continued revenue growth and record reserve levels (State government – US),” December 3, 2019

6 Source: Invesco, data as of December 31, 2019

Important information:

A bond issuer may cease to be rated or its ratings may be downgraded. Such action may adversely affect the value of the bonds.

Municipal securities are subject to the risk that legislative or economic conditions could affect an issuer’s ability to make payments of principal and/or interest.

The value of the bonds will generally fall if interest rates, in general, rise. In a low interest rate environment risks associated with rising rates are heightened. The negative impact on fixed income securities from any interest rate increases could be swift and significant. No one can predict whether interest rates will rise or fall in the future.

Invesco and its representatives do not provide tax advice. Individuals should consult their personal tax advisors before making any tax-related investment decisions.

The opinions referenced above are those of the authors as of March 25, 2020. These comments should not be construed as recommendations, but as an illustration of broader themes. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions; there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from expectations.

This does not constitute a recommendation of any investment strategy or product for a particular investor. Investors should consult a financial advisor/financial consultant before making any investment decisions. Invesco does not provide tax advice. The tax information contained herein is general and is not exhaustive by nature. Federal and state tax laws are complex and constantly changing. Investors should always consult their own legal or tax professional for information concerning their individual situation. The opinions expressed are those of the authors, are based on current market conditions and are subject to change without notice. These opinions may differ from those of other Invesco investment professionals.

from Expert Investment Views: Invesco Blog https://www.blog.invesco.us.com/municipal-market-update-and-sector-thoughts/

[hudsonespie]

Watertight Doors on Ships: Types, Drills, Maintenance & SOLAS Regulations

Watertight doors are special types of doors found on the ships which prevent the ingress of water from one compartment to other during flooding or accidents and therefore act as a safety barrier.

It limits the spread of water inside the vessel. These doors are used onboard in many ships such as in the fore and aft passageways underdeck and in engine room bulkheads leading to shaft tunnels in container vessels, large passenger ships, offshore vessels, oil exploration vessels.

They are used in areas where chances of flooding are high. Areas such as engine room compartments and shaft tunnel and some of such places.

Therefore it is important that crew members are familiar with the system as well as the location of different powered watertight doors aboard ship.

Let us first understand the meaning of watertight and weathertight.

Watertight as defined in SOLAS is: capable of preventing the passage of water in any direction under the head of water likely to occur in intact and damaged conditions.

Weathertight is defined as that in any sea conditions water will not penetrate the ship.

To make it simpler, a watertight door can prevent the passage of water in both directions when subjected to a head of water i.e it can withstand water pressure from both sides. They are designed to withstand continuous submersion and are therefore located below waterline like shaft tunnels, ballast tanks, bow thruster compartments etc. all openings below the waterline has to be watertight.

Weathertight doors, on the other hand, is designed to withstand brief submersion. They are located above the waterline and can withstand the weather condition as found offshore which means from the outside.

In this article, we will briefly explain the function and operational requirements of watertight doors.

Watertight door in container ships

Watertight doors are categorized into three types, which govern the operation of the watertight doors.

Different Types of Watertight Doors on Ships

TYPE A:

This type of doors may be left open and are to be closed only during an emergency.

TYPE B:

This type of watertight doors should be closed and are made to remain open only when personnel are working in the adjacent compartment.

TYPE C:

This type of watertight doors is to be kept closed all the time. It may be opened only for sufficient time when personnel are passing through the door compartment.

TYPE D:

This type of watertight doors is not SOLAS compliant. These doors shall be closed before the voyage commences and shall be kept closed during navigation. These doors cannot be upgraded to another category.

Hazardous Condition for the Ship When the Doors Need to be Closed

a) When there is restricted visibility. b) In ports where the port limits off compulsory pilotage limits. c) Required to be closed when the depth of water is less than 3 times the draught. d) High traffic density. e) Other factors when the master feels that the condition is dangerous.

Watertight doors can be further classified into the following types:

Hinged type: A door having a pivoting motion about one vertical or horizontal edge.

  Hinged type watertight door

Sliding type: A door having a horizontal or vertical motion generally parallel to the plane of the door powered by hydraulic cylinders or electric motors.

Powered watertight doors are extremely heavy and powerful. If used incorrectly, they can maim or kill. Everyone onboard the ship must clearly understand the associated risks and how to operate them safely. 

What can be some of the risks associated with power operated sliding door?

Loss of vessel stability and buoyancy in case of watertight doors left open or leaking during water ingress or internal flooding. Therefore keeping watertight doors closed at all times is vital

The possibility that smoke and fire might spread through the vessel and cause human injury or damage to the vessel if left open

Lack of situational awareness or proper understanding of the operation of watertight doors can cause crew member being trapped in the door.

Human injury – there have been many reports in the shipping industry where seafarers have suffered injury, loss of finger due to poor handling of watertight doors and lack of understanding. It is therefore important that all crew are trained on the correct operating and maintenance procedure. It is always better to have one hand free to operate controls. The crew should be vigilant and aware when the “Door Close” mode has been enabled on the bridge. The crew should also avoid passing through a moving door. Note that the watertight door closes with high force. Any object in the passway of the door will be crushed. The crew should pass through only when the door is completely open.

Loose or unsecured items if left in the vicinity of the door can cause the operational failure of the doors.

Almost all accidents are avoidable. They are nearly always the result of not following the correct procedures. This is because the door is used so frequently by the crew that they start to oversee the risks or because of poor supervision.

Watertight Doors Drill on Ships

1. Drills for the operation of watertight doors shall take place every week. Also, the doors should be checked before leaving the port. 2. All watertight doors, both hinged and power operated should be operated daily during the rounds. 3. The door should be able to operate from both local and remote places. i.e. bridge and ship control centre. 4. If the door is operated from a remote location, there should be an audio and visual alarm during the closing, 5. There should be an indication of both open and close on the remote place of operation.

watertight doors in container ships

Solas Regulations Regarding Closure of Watertight Doors

(As per Solas regulation, SOLAS chapter II-1, watertight doors from regulation 14 to regulation 25)

Powered watertight doors can be operated either locally or remotely from the bridge. LOCAL CONTROL is when the doors are both opened or closed using the door’s own controls. It should be noted that when doors are operated using the BRIDGE CONTROL mode, doors can also be opened using the local controls, however, the door will close immediately once the local control lever is released.

Pilot door panel showing green LED indicating doors closed

1. All the power operated doors must be capable of closing simultaneously from bridge and Ship Control Center (SCC) is not more than 60 seconds when the ship is in an upright condition.

2. The door shall have an approximate uniform rate of closure under power. The closure time, from the time the door begins to close to the time it closes completely, shall be in no case less than 20 seconds or more than 40 seconds with the ship in an upright condition.

3. In case of hand operation of the door, during a power failure, the door must be closed within 90 seconds.

4. Power-operated sliding doors shall be capable of closing with the ship listed to 15 degrees either side.

5. Power-operated sliding doors should be provided with a local audible alarm distinct from any other alarm in that area which shall sound for at least 5 seconds whenever the door is closed remotely but not more than 10 seconds before the door begins to move. The sound should be audible until the door is completely closed.

Watertight door indicating panel – Red light indicates door is open while green indicates door is closed

6. Controls for opening and closing the door should be provided on either side of the door as well as on the central operating console at the bridge. The control handles are located at least 1.6m above the floor on passenger ships.

7. Remote operating positions at the navigation bridge shall have means of visually indicating whether the doors are open or closed. A red light indicates a door is fully open and a green light indicates that the door is fully closed.

8. The direction of movement should be clearly indicated and displayed at all operating positions.

9. There is also a secondary control station, located above the bulkhead deck so that the powered watertight doors can be closed in the event that a fire or flooding prevents someone reaching them to operate the local controls.

Maintenance of Watertight Doors:

The ship’s planned maintenance system must be followed for carrying out routine inspection and maintenance on watertight doors which should include the correct functioning of the whole system and specifically:

Warning devices and alarms

The electric/hydraulic mechanism

Valves

Fluid level indicators

Seals

lights

Maintenance of watertight door

It is also important to stick to the manufacturer’s maintenance guide. Before any maintenance work is carried out, warning notices should be posted.

The door should be free from dirt and loose particles. Door frame and gasket should be cleaned routinely and as and when required. Gaskets can be lubricated with silicone oil.

Wheels and bearings must be checked for excessive wear and damage. The rails should be cleaned and checked for any damages.

watertight door rubber gasket poorly maintained

Watertight door rubber gasket well maintained

The hydraulic system should be periodically checked for any leakages. Special attention to be paid to the condition of pumps, hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic hand pump, pipe connections.  The oil level must be checked and refilled if necessary. The hydraulic oil and filter must be replaced as per the ship’s PMS.

Great care should be taken when the doors or areas near the doors are painted. Avoid painting the rubber gaskets and the piston rods on the cylinders.

Lubrication of the mechanical parts including the cleat bolts, the locking device, wheels, lifting cam and arm of the door should be carried out 

Structural damage in the frame or steel structure should be inspected for during routine inspections – watch out for any cracks, indentations or corrosion.

All doors shall have the clear operating instructions posted on either side of the door. The assigned category whether A, B, C or D as well as their meaning should be marked on both sides of the door. The instructions should be in the ship’s working language and in a legible condition.

Failure in the proper maintenance and operation of watertight doors can draw the attention of Port State Control inspectors and can be a cause of vessel detention.

Missing portions of gaskets, leakage of hydraulic oil, faulty alarms, lack of door closed indication in remote operating positions are some deficiencies that have been observed during the inspection.

After all, they are designed to keep the vessel safe and therefore watertight doors should never be neglected. Powered watertight doors under no circumstances should be modified, for example, to disable the alarm or to adjust the speed of operation.

They should be identified as safety critical equipment. Neglecting the importance of watertight doors can have a great impact on the watertight integrity of the ship and have disastrous consequences.

All crew members should, therefore, be made familiar with the operation of the watertight doors onboard and the safety precautions to be adopted. Operation of the watertight doors should be a part of onboard training and drill regime.

Doors should not be left open unless has been advised to do so. Keeping watertight doors closed should always be promoted. The safety rounds must ensure the integrity of the accommodation and watertight areas/ weather tight areas around and in accommodation.

When at sea, it is imperative to check all watertight doors are closed. We must understand and acknowledge that it is for our own good and safety of the ship. Nothing should be done which can jeopardise safety onboard ships.

Disclaimer: The authors’ views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of Marine Insight. Data and charts, if used, in the article have been sourced from available information and have not been authenticated by any statutory authority. The author and Marine Insight do not claim it to be accurate nor accept any responsibility for the same. The views constitute only the opinions and do not constitute any guidelines or recommendation on any course of action to be followed by the reader.

The article or images cannot be reproduced, copied, shared or used in any form without the permission of the author and Marine Insight. 

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St. John’s Ambulance - ice safety tips

ICE SAFETY

Knowing whether or not ice is safe to walk on can be quite a tricky task. Whether it's a lake, a river or your backyard pond, it's imperative to take every precaution possible to avoid a potentially life threatening accident. Here are some tips to keep you and your loved ones dry this winter.

Ice will never be completely safe

Have a safety plan

The safety of ice is dependent on a combination of factors

Check with authorities and ask the locals

Observe the ice

Know your colours

Test thickness

Unpredictable conditions and unseen factors can turn seemingly safe ice dangerous in an instant, which makes it all the more important to take every precaution

Always tell family or friends where you're going before you head for an outdoor adventure and travel with a buddy

Dress in cold weather attire

Bring a spare set of warm clothes in a waterproof bag, which can help combat hypothermia in case you get wet

Appearance - colour, texture and features

Thickness

External temperature over a period of time and on that day

Snow coverage

Depth of water

Size of body of water

Fresh or salt water

Local climate fluctuations

Extent of ice

It's a good idea to check with authorities of parks, resorts and clubs, that consistently test the safety of the ice

From out of town? Look to the locals for tips on safe spots and dangerous areas to avoid

It's a great idea to take an initial look at the ice to determine the colour, and to spot cracks, breaks or weak spots.  But looking alone is not enough. If you see any of these signs, it's best to avoid the ice all together:

Flowing water near the edges

Cracks, breaks or holes

Ice that has appeared to thaw and refreeze

Abnormal surfaces, like pressure ridges

Again, colour alone should not be relied on, but it is a valid indicator.

When in doubt, remember this saying, "Thick and blue, tried and true. Thin and crispy, way too risky"

Light grey to dark black - this indicates melting ice and is therefore not safe, stay off!

White to opaque - this implies water saturated snow freezes on top of the ice, forming another thin layer, stay off!

Blue to clear - high density, very strong and therefore safe. However, stay off if it's less than 4 inches thick

It's important to understand that ice strength is not the same everywhere, as there are many factors that contribute. However, in general, here are the rules for ice thickness measurements:

7 cm - new ice - KEEP OFF

10 cm - suitable for ice fishing, cross-country skiing and walking (approx. 90kg)

12 cm - suitable for a single snowmobile or ATV (approx. 360kg)

20 - 30 cm - suitable for one car, group of people (approx. 680 - 900kg)

30 - 38 cm - suitable for a light pickup truck or a van (approx. 1,500kg)

HELP POSITION

If you do fall in the ice, even after taking all the above precautions, the best way to retain as much heat as possible is the HELP (heat escape lessening position). It is designed to reduce heat loss in cold water. The position is quite simple to execute and can potentially be lifesaving!

In the water, hug your knees with your arms close to your chest. If you're in a group, be sure to huddle together to further conserve body heat. This tactic can also be beneficial for providing one another with moral support and creating a more visible target for rescuers.

By lessening heat loss, you can reduce the effect of hypothermia, which is a condition where bodily temperature drops too low to allow your body to function properly. Cold water specifically causes immersion hypothermia, which can cause damage to extremities and the body's core. IMMERSION HYPOTHERMIA               Immersion hypothermia refers to hypothermia caused by being in cold water. A person loses heat 25-30 times faster being in water than in air of the same temperature. Immersion hypothermia can happen very quickly, within minutes, if a person falls into cold water.  Suspect hypothermia whenever someone falls into cold water by mistake even in the summer.

Do the following when a hypothermic casualty is in the water:

Tell the casualty not to take off any clothing - clothing helps keep heat in

Tell the casualty to move as little as possible - moving around causes more heat loss (by convection)

When taking a casualty out of the water, keep him in a horizontal position, and handle him as gently as possible.  Give first aid for hypothermia to prevent further heat loss, and get medial help. FIRST AID FOR HYPOTHERMIA            

First aid for hypothermia aims to prevent further heat loss.

1. Begin ESM - do a scene survey. If the temperature is lower than 20°C, suspect hypothermia either as the casualty's main problem or as a complication of another injury.

2. Do a primary survey and give first aid for life threatening conditions.  Take measures to prevent further heat loss:

Cover exposed skin with suitable clothing or covers; make sure the head is well insulated

Adjust the casualty's clothing to keep wind or drafts out. Wrap the casualty in something windproof - reflective "space blankets" and plastic garbage bags are good for this

If possible, move the casualty out of the cold environment. If you cannot move indoors, protect the casualty from the wind

Loosen or remove tight clothing

Wet clothing causes severe heat loss.  If you are in a shelter and have a dry change of clothes, gently replace wet clothes with dry ones.  If you are not sheltered, put the dry clothes over the wet clothes. If you don't have dry clothes, press as much water out of the wet clothes as possible and wrap the casualty with something waterproof

Insulate the casualty from cold objects - have him sit on a rolled-up jacket or lie on a blanket

Get medical help. If you have to arrange transportation, the casualty should be placed into the recovery position

3. Give ongoing casualty care, monitoring ABCs.  

#winter safety #first aid