MASS UK Industry Conduct Principles and Code of Practice 2022 (V6)

Table 12-1: Tasking Cycle of a MASS
PHASE 1 MISSION APPRAISAL
Task
Operation Planning
Activities
Has a launch site visit and familiarisation
been conducted YES/NO.
Are there any restrictions?
Is a support vessel required?
Personnel planning
Is the RCC mobile / is the RCC location
fixed?
Vessel/s transit to launch site
Visas/permits - Overseas travel or
permits to work needed?
Inoculations for any overseas tasks.
Country Liaison
Country brief
Weather check and report for all phases
where possible.
Sea states
Nearest facilities: Medical, Fuel etc.
Security: People/ Equipment/ Data
Real-life support
Are the team all Suitably Qualified and
Experienced Persons, (SQEP) for the
task?
Description
Can be conducted ahead of actual operation and includes:
n Determine operational area;
n Notification and permissions from port/sea authorities, joint force,
other organisations;
n Notice to Mariners;
n Environmental assessment;
n RF licences;
n Route planning;
n Infrastructure;
n Description of incident handling processes and procedures.
Considerations
If no, has this been briefed to all those involved in the operation?
Establish restrictions and provide support vessel if required.
Determine number of personnel required for the operation (consider
country of operation requirements for qualifications).
RCC set up and tested?
Transit Duration?
ETA?
How – Air/sea/road?
Parties involved?
Can the vessel and support team conduct necessary procedures or
maintenance shoreside?
Conduct necessary liaison with relevant authorities, obtain relevant
permissions.
Medical advice should be sought
Determine level of regulation in planned launch country.
Seek permission for operations.
Determine required level of qualification required for operators.
If vessel will operate between nations, ensure both authorities are aware.
Seek acceptance for control centre location.
Determine best location for support team.
Local Maritime regs/Personnel conduct/Cultural sensitivities/Laws/
Driving/Weather/security etc.
How will this be monitored and what is the plan for inclement weather?
Consider vessel construction and weather suitability.
As above.
If operating abroad, what standards are they? Are the necessary
medical insurances in place?
Is a secure location available?
If not do the team need to protect data? (24/7 presence)
Food, water, washing facilities.
Check and record
PHASE 2. MISSION PLANNING
Task
Pre-deployment
Pre-launch
Activities
What is the method of launch?
Names of personnel involved including
names to tasks/responsibilities
Operation planning
Remote control centre set up and all
comms/systems check complete?
Communications check between main
RCC and mobile support control centre?
(if applicable)
Who has control during the launch?
Payload checks
Necessary liaison complete?
Description
Mobilisation and configuration of equipment
Detailed operation planning and system
Remarks
Crane operation? Is there a vessel specific launch and recovery system?
Are they SQEP?
Are they in a fit state, (any illnesses)?
Drug and alcohol policy?
Vessel route planned, transit areas identified, watch routine established
Timings of key phases for the pre-launch
Give a summary of the pre-launch to the team
Necessary liaison complete?
External support in place?
Support team or main control? Establish handover procedures
Checklist/SOPs Pre Sea Checks in accordance with approved check
list; Check data/control links, communications, sensors, propulsion,
and steering, etc
PHASE 3. MISSION EXECUTION – VESSEL DEPLOYMENT, LAUNCH AND TRANSIT
Task
Deployment
Launch / cast off
Post Launch
Operation Conduct
Activities
Establish Mission distance and duration
Determine departure timing
Ascertain Transit WPs
Determine ETA’s
Establish Team numbers/skills requirement
External Support?
Forecast Expected weather and sea states
Identify any handover Lat/Long
Establish the handover procedures to
main control if escorted or manned transit.
Brief all involved regarding actions for
Abnormal or Emergency operations
Description
Deploy equipment to operational area by rail, road, air, sea
In water launch or cast off of MASS from mother ship or from shore side,
including lifting operations.
n In water equipment checks prior to transit including:
n Propulsion and steering;
n Communications links;
n MASS Health / BITE status;
n Emergency procedures and functionality of fail-safe equipment.
Operation phase which will continue until the planned operation end time
is reached or the operation is aborted. The operation may consist of one
or several tasks and is highly dependent on the application. The operation
may include re-planning, that is modification of the pre-launch operation
plan, either automatically or commanded by the RCC. The operation may
include deployment of other vehicles that perform their own operation. Will
include handling of incidents (via the RCC) that occur during the operation.
Remarks
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