14.1 Operating manuals

  14.1.1 Operating manuals containing guidance for the safe operation of the unit for both normal and envisaged emergency conditions, approved by the Administration, should be provided on board and be readily available to all concerned. The manuals should, in addition to providing the necessary general information about the unit, contain guidance on and procedures for the operations that are vital to the safety of personnel and the unit. The manuals should be concise and be compiled in such a manner that they are easily understood. Each manual should be provided with a contents list, an index and wherever possible be cross-referenced to additional detailed information which should be readily available on board.

  14.1.2 The operating manual for normal operations should include the following general descriptive information, where applicable:

• .1 a description and particulars of the unit;

• .2 a chain of command with general responsibilities during normal operation;

• .3 limiting design data for each mode of operation, including draughts, air gap, wave height, wave period, wind, current, sea and air temperatures, assumed seabed conditions, and any other applicable environmental factors, such as icing;

• .4 a description of any inherent operational limitations for each mode of operation and for each change in mode of operation;

• .5 the location of watertight and weathertight boundaries, the location and type of watertight and weathertight closures and the location of downflooding points;

• .6 the location, type and quantities of permanent ballast installed on the unit;

• .7 a description of the general emergency, toxic gas (hydrogen sulphide), combustible gas, fire alarm and abandon unit signals;

• .8 for self-elevating units, information regarding the preparation of the unit to avoid structural damage during the setting or retraction of legs on or from the seabed or during extreme weather conditions while in transit, including the positioning and securing of legs, cantilever drill floor structures and drilling equipment or materials which might shift position;

• .9 light ship data together with a comprehensive listing of the inclusions and exclusions of semi-permanent equipment;

• .10 stability information setting forth the allowable maximum height of the centre of gravity in relation to draught data or other parameters based upon compliance with the intact and damage criteria;

• .11 a capacity plan showing the capacities and the vertical, longitudinal and transverse centres of gravity of tanks and bulk material stowage spaces;

• .12 tank sounding tables or curves showing capacities, the vertical, longitudinal and transverse centres of gravity in graduated intervals and the free surface data of each tank;

• .13 acceptable structural deck loadings;

• .14 identification of helicopters suited for the design of the helideck and any limiting conditions of operation;

• .15 identification and classification of hazardous areas on the unit;

• .16 description and limitations of any on-board computer used in operations such as ballasting, anchoring, dynamic positioning and in trim and stability calculations;

• .17 description of towing arrangements and limiting conditions of operation;

• .18 description of the main power system and limiting conditions of operation; and

• .19 a list of key plans and schematics.

  14.1.3 The operating manual for normal operations should also include, where applicable:

• .1 guidance for the maintenance of adequate stability and the use of the stability data;

• .2 guidance for the routine recording of lightweight alterations;

• .3 examples of loading conditions for each mode of operation and instructions for developing other acceptable loading conditions, including the vertical components of the forces in the anchor cables;

• .4 for column-stabilized units, a description, schematic diagram and guidance for the operation of the ballast system and of the alternative means of ballast system operation, together with a description of its limitations, such as pumping capacities at various angles of heel and trim;

• .5 a description, schematic diagram, guidance for the operation of the bilge system and of the alternative means of bilge system operation, together with a description of its limitations, such as draining of spaces not directly connected to the bilge system;

• .6 fuel oil storage and transfer procedures;

• .7 procedures for changing modes of operation;

• .8 guidance on severe weather operations and time required to meet severe storm conditions, including provisions regarding lowering or stowage of equipment, and any inherent operational limitations;

• .9 description of the anchoring arrangements and anchoring or mooring procedures and any limiting factors;

• .10 personnel transfer procedures;

• .11 procedures for the arrival, departure and fuelling of helicopters;

• .12 limiting conditions of crane operations;

• .13 description of the dynamic positioning systems and limiting conditions of operation;

• .14 procedures for ensuring that the requirements of applicable international codes for the stowage and handling of dangerous and radioactive materials are met;

• .15 guidance for the placement and safe operation of the well testing equipment. The areas around possible sources of gas release should be classified in accordance with section 6.1 for the duration of well test operations;

• .16 procedures for receiving vessels alongside; and

• .17 guidance on safe towing operations such as to reduce to a minimum any danger to personnel during towing operations.

  14.1.4 The operating manual for emergency operations should include, where applicable:

• .1 description of fire-extinguishing systems and equipment;

• .2 description of the life-saving appliances and means of escape;

• .3 description of the emergency power system and limiting conditions of operation;

• .4 a list of key plans and schematics which may be useful during emergency situations;

• .5 general procedures for deballasting or counterflooding and the closure of all openings which may lead to progressive flooding in the event of damage;

• .6 guidance for the person in charge in determining the cause of unexpected list and trim and assessing the potential affects of corrective measures on unit survivability, i.e. strength, stability, buoyancy, etc.;

• .7 special procedures in the event of an uncontrolled escape of hydrocarbons or hydrogen sulphide, including emergency shutdown;

• .8 guidance on the restoration of mechanical, electrical and ventilation systems after main power failure or emergency shutdown; and

• .9 ice alert procedures.

  14.1.5 The information provided in the operating manuals should, where necessary, be supported by additional material provided in the form of plans, manufacturers’ manuals and other data necessary for the efficient operation and maintenance of the unit. Detailed information provided in manufacturers’ manuals need not be repeated in the operating manuals. The information should be referenced in the operating manual, readily identified, located in an easily accessible place on the unit and be available at all times.

  14.1.6 Operating and maintenance instructions and engineering drawings for ship machinery and equipment essential to the safe operation of the ship should be written in a language understandable by those officers and crew members who are required to understand such information in the performance of their duties.