0006_NSP_HEAVY WEATHER PLAN.docx

USNS SAFEGUARD

(T-ARS 50)

USNS GRAPPLE

(T-ARS 53)

1.0 ABSTRACT

1.1 This item describes the requirement to provide a Heavy Weather Plan.

2.0 REFERENCES/ ENCLOSURES

2.1 References

2.1.1 MSC Drawing No. 801-5364419, ARS-50 Class Curves of Form, Cross Curves of Stability.

2.2 Enclosures

2.2.1 Beaufort Wind Scale

3.0 ITEM LOCATION/DESCRIPTION

3.1 Contractor's facility.

4.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT/MATERIAL/SERVICES: None

5.0 NOTES:

5.1 In order to ensure vessel safety in extreme circumstances, the contractor's Heavy Weather Plan may contain references to ballasting and deballasting the vessel. In such an instance the safety requirements of reference 2.1 shall not be exceeded. Minimum draft clearance shall be two feet (2) feet beneath the keel at mean lower low water (MLLW).

5.2 The contractor shall not be permitted to alter the ballast conditions of the vessel in any manner without having first submitted detailed Trim and Stability calculations to the MSCREP, and having obtained written approval of same from the Ship's Master and the MSCREP.

5.3 In order to ensure vessel safety in extreme circumstances, the contractor's Heavy Weather Plan may contain references to shifting the ship to another berth. In such an instance, all safety precautions shall be taken to ensure the ship's transit route maintains the minimum draft clearances as stated herein, an adequate quantity of tugs having sufficient horsepower ratings to maintain control of the ship are provided, and the ship is properly secured to the tugs at all times during the shifting evolution.

6.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE REQUIREMENTS: None additional

7.0 STATEMENT OF WORK REQUIRED

7.1 The contractor shall provide a Heavy Weather Plan as part of the Technical Proposal. The plan shall include a description of the protection arrangements available and the preventive measures that will be taken to ensure the safety of the ship from heavy weather conditions for a Beaufort Wind Scale, enclosure 2.2.1, Number 7 and higher. The Heavy Weather Plan should at a minimum address the following:

7.1.1 Daily monitoring and tracking operations of heavy weather conditions reported by the National Weather Service (NWS) and National Hurricane Tracking Center (NHTC).

7.1.2 Maintenance of communications with the local offices of the NWS, NHTC, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

7.1.3 A timetable for making decisions including identification of the parties participating in the decision making process.

7.1.4 A timetable for initiating contractor actions relative to deteriorating weather conditions for Beaufort Wind Scale (enclosure 2.2.1) Number 7 and higher, based on the approaching geographic position of the reported heavy weather.

7.1.5 Describe the personnel recall plan to accomplish each level of action including:

a. Facility power loss protection and precautions.

b. Facility damage protection and precautions.

c. Personnel safety protection and precautions.

d. Plant equipment protection and precautions.

e. Resources available for continued contractor's communications with the appropriate decision making company officials.

f. Resources available for continued contractor's communications with MSCREP and the ship's Master.

7.1.6 Describe the actions taken for each level of the Beaufort Wind Scale (enclosure 2.2.1) deterioration in preparation to protect the vessel from damage including:

a. Vessel mooring protection and precautions.

b. Vessel flooding protection and precautions.

c. Vessel ballasting and deballasting as a protection and precaution.

d. Trim and stability calculation for ballasting/deballasting.

e. Vessel equipment protection and precautions.

f. Precautions taken if the vessel is on dry dock.

g. Movement of the vessel to a different temporary lay berth for safety.

h. Interim milestones for notification of MSCREP and ship's Master at each appropriate time of the decision making process.

i. Level of ship's force participation (if any) for each required action

7.2 The contractor is responsible for the costs associated with the planning aspects of the heavy weather plan that deal with the safety and protection of the contractor’s facility and the Government’s assets located in that facility. Extraordinary measures required to protect the vessel and its crew shall be presented to the MSCREP as a milestone event in the subject heavy weather plan. The MSCREP shall approve these extraordinary measures to prepare for heavy weather conditions via a change order.

7.2.1 Extraordinary measures may include such actions as ballasting the vessel, moving the vessel to a safe haven, and/or temporarily installing protective measures for sensitive and vulnerable ship’s equipment.

7.2.2 Non-extraordinary protective measures considered to be the responsibility of the contractor include such actions as adding additional mooring lines, temporarily disconnecting ship services, and vessel flooding protection.

8.0 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: None additional.

Enclosure 2.2.1

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