MV BLUEFIN QUALITY MANUAL - Australian Maritime College

Australian Maritime College
Note: Short sharp bursts of power and large rudder angles will assist in maintaining
original heading.
Extreme caution must be used during this operation as a large following sea will
repeatedly engulf the trawl deck.
Once the vessel is above the dredge, pressure can be applied by the winches to assist in
freeing the dredge from the obstruction.
If the dredge fails to break free there will be a requirement to use more vessel power to
assist in applying pressure to the snagged dredge.
Note: At all times vessel safety and stability issues must be continually addressed and at
no time shall the vessel safety be jeopardised.
In the advent of the dredge not coming free the warp will be paid out until sufficient slack is
available and the warp cut free with the use of the oxy-acetylene cutting equipment or 9
inch grinder depending on the circumstances.
Warps should be cut at the drum ends with extreme caution with no staff, students on the
deck, except for those undertaking the cutting of the warp.
If the dredge is snagged in shallow water the Warp may be buoyed off for later retrieval. If
the dredge is snagged in deep water the shear weight of the warps will overcome any
flotation that the vessel has onboard therefore must be discarded.
Due to the stability issues, and the increased loads on dredge equipment it is imperative
that the recovery of the dredge is conducted with due care and observance of best
practice.
Append 3.7 - Dredge.docx 5 of 5
Revised: November 2010