Water Clerk – Table of Contents

Water Clerk

Part one: Getting acquainted

A.  Forward – purpose of this book

B.  The preliminaries

1.  The key players – charterers, brokers, owners, operators, Customs, Coast Guard, agents, shippers, receivers, forwarders, terminals, & Customhouse brokers, vendors.

2.  The rule to watch – charter parties, government regulations, local practices.

3.  The types of cargo and vessels – break bulk, drybulk, tankers, containers, reefer, ro/ro.

4.  Logistics – What you’ll be managing

5.  Documentation – The types of documentation – government, international trade, surveys, & reports you’ll be handling.

C.  Types of agency service

1.  Liner services – containers & break bulk shipments

a. Brief history

b. Distinguishing features, agency service requirements

2. Tramp services – container, break bulk, full and part cargo bulk

a. (Very) brief history

b. Distinguishing features, types of agency requirements  (Full agency, husbandry, charterer or owner protective, third party representation)

D.  Role of agency services

1. Owners agency (Husbandry) – responsibilities to the owners

2. Charterers agency – responsibilities to the charterers

3. Full agency – responsibilities to both the charterers and owners

4. Third party protective agents – (usually) responsibilities to shipper, receiver, or their representatives.

Part two: Getting things done

A.  Owner agency logistics – philosophy and importance 

1.  Understanding typical vessel functions & equipment

2.  Maintaining a very complete database of vendors.

3.  Keeping accessible records of past vendor performances & billings

4. Understanding local limitations

5. Communicating

B.  Charterer agency logistics – philosophy and importance 

1.  Understanding typical cargo operations, loading & discharging equipment

a. Break bulk handling equipment

b. Drybulk handling equipment

i. Types of cranes

ii. Loaders and unloaders

iii. Ancillary equipment – bulldozers, bobcats, etc.

c. Tanker discharge equipment

i. Chicsands

ii. Hoses

iii. Tanks

d.  RO/RO handling equipment

2.  Understanding stevedoring  – stowage, labor, and other mysteries of life.

a.  Stowage – how it may affect the cargo operation

i. Ship factors

ii. Labor factors

b.  Labor – how it may affect the cargo operation

i. Skill

ii. Gangs and gang size

iii. Labor rules

c.  Weather – how it may affect the cargo operation

i. Safety of labor

ii. Cargo safety

iii. Safety of terminal and/or vessel

3.  Understanding the charter party requirements

a.  The time restrictions on each port call

i. Laydays & laycan days

ii. Demurrage & dispatch

iii. Statements of facts – Importance to charterer

iv. Off-hire & on-hire

4.  Local knowledge  – terminals, tides, and restrictions

a.  Maintaining a very complete database on terminals

i. Each berth restrictions on draft, LOA, GRT, and beam

ii. Tide restrictions at or on approaches to terminal

iii. Elevation of dock

iv. Clearance (elevation) and reach of cargo gear

v. Key phone contacts – manager, dock office, & gate

vi. Any typical scheduling problems

vii. Any typical cargo handling related problems

b.  Maintaining a complete database on port restrictions

i. Pilotage tidal restrictions

ii. Bridge elevations and channel dimensions

iii. Vessel transit restrictions such as no pass zones, daylight restrictions, etc.

iv. Any local regulatory restrictions or requirements (Customs or Coast Guard)

v. Anchorage locations & restrictions

c.  Availability of layberths or anchorages for emergency repairs or temporary lay-ups.

5.  Communication logistics

a. Coordinating each movement of the vessel within the port

i. Pilots, tugs, and line handlers

ii. Officials, surveyors, port engineers, and port superintendents

b. Coordinating with the key cargo handling personnel

i. Terminal contacts – harbormasters, terminal managers, security personnel

ii. Stevedores, shippers and/or receivers

c.  Keeping principals properly informed

i. Charterers, owners, shippers, receivers, operators

ii. Terminals, stevedores, Customhouse brokers & Freight forwarders

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