He spent seventeen years at sea, holds a British Master s certificate and was in command for several years. Towards Safer Ships and Cleaner Seas is formatted so that the reader is taken on a tanker voyage. Each phase of the voyage is described by detailing the required preparations and practices. This includes a description of the various shipboard systems utilised and is broad enough to give an understanding of the operations on board both product and crude tankers. Also included is a commentary on mandatory and recommended documentation, dealing with their significance in preservation of evidence.
Chapter one defines the duties, responsibilities and obligations of officers serving on a tanker.
By addressing such topics as files, records and logbooks, station bill and emergency duties, learning the ship, crew teamwork and safety on board, this chapter aims to assist in the smooth and complete assumption of responsibility. Like the entire handbook, the explanations and recommendations can be beneficial to both new and veteran officers alike. The following chapter addresses the ballast voyage. Among other subjects, chapter two covers ballast systems and procedures, preparations for departure, undocking operations, voyage plans, tank washing, tank inspections and entry, and preparing the loading plan. The final chapter describes the discharge port.