Barge Supervisor (Barge Master) - Flag Endorsed Training Course

1. Introduction to Barge Operations and Maritime Framework

1.1 Barge Types and Operations

• Barge classifications including (cargo barges, accommodation barges, crane barges, specialized barges)

• Barge characteristics including (hull design, stability features, cargo capacity, deck arrangements)

• Propulsion systems including (self-propelled barges, towed barges, pushed barges, dynamic positioning)

• Operational roles including (cargo transport, offshore support, construction support, accommodation)

• Introduction to STCW Code A-II/3 and MLC 2006 requirements for barge supervisors

1.2 Regulatory Framework and Certification

• SOLAS requirements including (safety construction, life-saving appliances, radio communications)

• MARPOL compliance including (pollution prevention, waste management, discharge regulations)

• Flag state regulations including (certification requirements, inspection procedures, operational standards)

• Port state control including (inspection procedures, deficiency management, detention prevention)

• Classification society rules including (structural standards, safety systems, certification maintenance)

2. Barge Navigation and Positioning

2.1 Navigation Systems and Procedures

• Navigation equipment including (GPS systems, radar, chart plotters, compass systems, AIS)

• Electronic charts including (ECDIS systems, chart corrections, route planning, safety contours)

• Traditional navigation including (paper charts, position fixing, dead reckoning, pilotage)

• Weather routing including (weather information, route optimization, safety considerations)

• Collision avoidance including (COLREGS compliance, traffic monitoring, risk assessment, maneuvering)

2.2 Positioning and Anchoring

• Anchoring systems including (anchor types, anchor handling, windlass operations, anchor watch)

• Mooring systems including (mooring patterns, anchor deployment, line handling, tension monitoring)

• Dynamic positioning including (DP systems, thruster operations, position keeping, station keeping)

• Positioning accuracy including (survey requirements, positioning tolerance, measurement systems)

• Environmental considerations including (current effects, wind effects, sea conditions, soil conditions)

3. Cargo Operations and Deck Management

3.1 Cargo Handling Operations

• Cargo planning including (load planning, weight distribution, stability calculations, sequence planning)

• Lifting operations including (crane operations, rigging, load charts, safety procedures)

• Deck cargo including (securing systems, lashing calculations, weather protection, inspection)

• Container operations including (container handling, securing systems, twist locks, guide systems)

• Bulk cargo including (loading procedures, trimming, hold preparation, discharge operations)

3.2 Deck Operations Management

• Deck equipment including (cranes, winches, cargo gear, lifting equipment, safety systems)

• Work planning including (job planning, risk assessment, permit systems, resource allocation)

• Safety procedures including (hot work, confined spaces, working at height, hazardous materials)

• Quality control including (inspection procedures, damage prevention, performance monitoring)

• Documentation including (cargo manifests, loading plans, inspection reports, certificates)

4. Marine Coordination and Traffic Management

4.1 Vessel Traffic Coordination

• Traffic management including (vessel scheduling, coordination procedures, conflict resolution)

• Communication procedures including (VHF protocols, traffic coordination, emergency communication)

• Port operations including (port entry, berthing operations, cargo operations, departure procedures)

• Pilotage coordination including (pilot boarding, pilot briefing, navigation coordination)

• Tug assistance including (tug operations, escort procedures, emergency towing, coordination)

4.2 Offshore Operations Coordination

• Platform operations including (platform approach, personnel transfer, cargo operations, standby duties)

• Supply operations including (supply coordination, deck cargo, fuel transfer, water transfer)

• Weather operations including (weather monitoring, operational limits, shelter procedures)

• Emergency support including (emergency response, rescue operations, medical evacuation)

• Multi-vessel operations including (coordination procedures, communication protocols, safety management)

5. Stability and Load Management

5.1 Barge Stability Principles

• Stability fundamentals including (center of gravity, metacenter, stability curves, loading effects)

• Stability calculations including (intact stability, damage stability, stability criteria)

• Loading procedures including (load planning, weight distribution, moment calculations)

• Ballast operations including (ballast systems, trim adjustment, list correction, stability optimization)

• Stability monitoring including (loading computers, manual calculations, stability indicators)

5.2 Load Management and Control

• Load calculations including (deadweight capacity, deck loading, crane capacity, load distribution)

• Securing calculations including (lashing forces, securing equipment, safety factors, inspection)

• Environmental loading including (wind loading, wave loading, current forces, acceleration forces)

• Load monitoring including (load cells, strain gauges, visual inspection, performance monitoring)

• Documentation including (stability booklet, loading manual, certificates, inspection records)

6. Crew Management and Safety Leadership

6.1 Crew Management

• Crew organization including (watch systems, duty assignments, competency requirements, training)

• Work planning including (job allocation, risk assessment, permit systems, supervision)

• Performance management including (performance monitoring, feedback, improvement, recognition)

• Welfare management including (accommodation, catering, recreation, medical care)

• Cultural management including (multicultural crews, communication, conflict resolution, team building)

6.2 Safety Leadership

• Safety management systems including (safety policies, procedures, performance monitoring)

• Risk assessment including (hazard identification, risk analysis, control measures, monitoring)

• Safety culture including (safety leadership, behavioral safety, incident reporting, learning)

• Training coordination including (safety training, competency assessment, drill programs)

• Emergency preparedness including (emergency procedures, response teams, equipment, communication)

7. Weather Operations and Emergency Response

7.1 Weather Assessment and Operations

• Weather information including (forecasting services, weather routing, local conditions)

• Environmental criteria including (wind limits, wave limits, visibility requirements, operational windows)

• Storm procedures including (storm preparation, securing operations, shelter procedures)

• Seasonal considerations including (monsoons, tropical storms, local weather patterns)

• Decision making including (go/no-go decisions, abort criteria, risk assessment, safety margins)

7.2 Emergency Response Management

• Emergency procedures including (emergency response plans, muster procedures, evacuation)

• Fire emergency including (fire detection, firefighting systems, evacuation procedures)

• Flooding emergency including (damage control, pumping systems, stability management)

• Medical emergency including (medical procedures, evacuation procedures, communication)

• Search and rescue including (SAR procedures, coordination, communication, assistance)

8. Marine Pollution Prevention and Environmental Management

8.1 Pollution Prevention

• MARPOL compliance including (oil pollution, garbage management, sewage, air emissions)

• Pollution prevention equipment including (oil separators, waste management, treatment systems)

• Operational procedures including (discharge procedures, record keeping, compliance monitoring)

• Spill response including (spill prevention, containment, cleanup, reporting)

• Environmental monitoring including (discharge monitoring, waste tracking, compliance verification)

8.2 Environmental Management

• Environmental management systems including (environmental policies, procedures, monitoring)

• Waste management including (waste segregation, storage, treatment, disposal)

• Energy management including (fuel efficiency, emission reduction, energy conservation)

• Biodiversity protection including (marine life protection, habitat conservation, impact minimization)

• Sustainability including (sustainable operations, resource conservation, environmental stewardship)

9. Communication and Documentation Systems

9.1 Communication Management

• Communication systems including (radio systems, satellite communication, intercom systems)

• Communication procedures including (standard phrases, emergency communication, traffic coordination)

• Information management including (operational information, safety information, regulatory information)

• Reporting systems including (operational reports, safety reports, incident reports)

• Record keeping including (logbooks, maintenance records, inspection records, certificates)

9.2 Documentation and Compliance

• Operational documentation including (procedures, checklists, work instructions, forms)

• Safety documentation including (safety procedures, risk assessments, emergency procedures)

• Regulatory documentation including (certificates, permits, inspection records, compliance records)

• Quality documentation including (quality procedures, inspection records, audit reports)

• Training documentation including (training records, competency assessments, certification)

10. Maintenance Management and Technical Operations

10.1 Maintenance Planning

• Maintenance systems including (planned maintenance, condition monitoring, predictive maintenance)

• Maintenance scheduling including (maintenance intervals, resource planning, downtime management)

• Work management including (work orders, job planning, resource allocation, quality control)

• Spare parts management including (inventory control, procurement, storage, logistics)

• Documentation including (maintenance records, work orders, inspection reports, certificates)

10.2 Technical Operations

• System operations including (propulsion systems, electrical systems, hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems)

• Equipment operation including (deck machinery, cargo equipment, safety systems, navigation equipment)

• Troubleshooting including (fault diagnosis, repair procedures, system testing, performance monitoring)

• Performance monitoring including (system performance, efficiency monitoring, trend analysis)

• Technical support including (technical documentation, manufacturer support, specialist services)

11. Business Operations and Commercial Management

11.1 Commercial Operations

• Charter operations including (charter agreements, operational requirements, performance standards)

• Cost management including (operational costs, fuel costs, maintenance costs, crew costs)

• Performance monitoring including (operational efficiency, schedule performance, quality metrics)

• Client relations including (client communication, service delivery, problem resolution)

• Contract management including (contract compliance, variation management, performance measurement)

11.2 Logistics Coordination

• Supply chain management including (supply coordination, logistics planning, resource management)

• Inventory management including (spare parts, consumables, equipment, storage)

• Procurement including (procurement procedures, supplier management, quality control)

• Scheduling including (operational scheduling, maintenance scheduling, resource scheduling)

• Performance optimization including (efficiency improvement, cost reduction, quality enhancement)

12. HSE in Barge Operations

• Process safety management including (hazard identification, risk assessment, safety barriers)

• Occupational health and safety including (workplace safety, health surveillance, injury prevention)

• Environmental protection including (marine environment, pollution prevention, ecosystem conservation)

• Emergency response including (emergency preparedness, response procedures, coordination)

• Safety culture including (safety leadership, behavioral safety, continuous learning)

13. Quality Assurance and Standards

• ISM Code implementation including (safety management systems, procedures, documentation)

• Quality management systems including (quality procedures, performance monitoring, improvement)

• Certification management including (vessel certification, equipment certification, personnel certification)

• Audit and inspection including (internal audits, external inspections, compliance verification)

• Continuous improvement including (performance monitoring, feedback systems, best practices)

14. Case Studies & Group Discussions

• Regional barge operations from Middle East waters including (offshore support, cargo operations, challenging conditions)

• Complex marine operations including (multi-vessel coordination, weather challenges, emergency responses)

• Cargo handling challenges including (heavy lift operations, precision positioning, safety management)

• Crew management scenarios including (multicultural crews, performance issues, emergency situations)

• The importance of proper training in developing competent barge supervisors and ensuring safe marine operations