by GuestfromEU » November 22, 2019, 6:54 am
Charlie wrote:could the change in hatch covers be for the cutting of crew size?? A mate can push a button to open/close no need for crew to do the job
just a thought
charlie
Yes, of course, the ship will have more modern facilities than their existing fleet. Sliding hatch covers found on ships outside the Lakes still require manual fastening (e.g. hatch clamps), only a hatch crane is not needed. The greater savings will be in other automation. I would expect the machinery spaces to have automation sufficient for periodically unattended status. The bridge will likely feature tools that enable the navigation team to perform docking/un-docking with perhaps one person. The unloading system could be automated, eliminating manual operation of the gates as well. Even mooring winches could be automated to heave/pay out and shift the vessel at a dock on command. Minor tasks that reduce the workload on personnel are easily and cheaply available, such as automating the ballast operations. Program a tank level and the system will ballast/de-ballast on its own, taking away one job from the mate, who can now dedicate more time to cargo. Automation isn't for the purpose of just eliminating crew - it's to make the crew's life easier (and to reduce human error occurrences).
I do not know if any of those options will be exercised, but the ability is there to safely operate the ship with less crew, perhaps a compliment of 14-18 persons. Like anything else, it comes down to capital costs and returns on investment, plus the "comfort level" of the shipowner. The machinery space automation for unattended status is pretty much a given, as current Class, SOLAS, and Flag State requirements dictate the installation of said systems.
[quote="Charlie"]could the change in hatch covers be for the cutting of crew size?? A mate can push a button to open/close no need for crew to do the job
just a thought
charlie[/quote]
Yes, of course, the ship will have more modern facilities than their existing fleet. Sliding hatch covers found on ships outside the Lakes still require manual fastening (e.g. hatch clamps), only a hatch crane is not needed. The greater savings will be in other automation. I would expect the machinery spaces to have automation sufficient for periodically unattended status. The bridge will likely feature tools that enable the navigation team to perform docking/un-docking with perhaps one person. The unloading system could be automated, eliminating manual operation of the gates as well. Even mooring winches could be automated to heave/pay out and shift the vessel at a dock on command. Minor tasks that reduce the workload on personnel are easily and cheaply available, such as automating the ballast operations. Program a tank level and the system will ballast/de-ballast on its own, taking away one job from the mate, who can now dedicate more time to cargo. Automation isn't for the purpose of just eliminating crew - it's to make the crew's life easier (and to reduce human error occurrences).
I do not know if any of those options will be exercised, but the ability is there to safely operate the ship with less crew, perhaps a compliment of 14-18 persons. Like anything else, it comes down to capital costs and returns on investment, plus the "comfort level" of the shipowner. The machinery space automation for unattended status is pretty much a given, as current Class, SOLAS, and Flag State requirements dictate the installation of said systems.