During a Force 8 passage, the OOW reports that two container lashings have parted on the forward stack and a container is showing movement. What do you do?

A. CONTAINER LASHING FAILURE — CM EMERGENCY RESPONSE: (1) CALL MASTER IMMEDIATELY: this is a potential loss-of-cargo and vessel stability emergency; (2) REDUCE SPEED AND ALTER COURSE: immediately — this is the single most effective immediate action. Reducing speed reduces dynamic forces on lashings by the square of the speed reduction (halving speed reduces dynamic forces to one quarter). Alter heading to reduce rolling; (3) DO NOT SEND CREW TO DECK IMMEDIATELY: in Force 8 seas with shifting containers — the risk of a crew member being crushed by a moving container or washed overboard is extreme; (4) ASSESS FROM BRIDGE: use binoculars and cameras to assess the movement of the container — is it shifting to one side? Is it close to falling overboard?; (5) STABILITY CALCULATION: if the container falls overboard — what is the effect on the vessel? If it falls to one side onto the deck — list effect?; (6) WEATHER WINDOW: when will conditions moderate enough to allow deck crew to resecure? Next 4 hours?; (7) IF CONTAINER IS ABOUT TO FALL: make decision whether the safety risk of attempting resecuring outweighs the risk of the container falling. If the container falls into the sea — report as pollution/debris under MARPOL and to the MRCC; (8) MAYDAY/PAN PAN: if stability is affected and vessel safety is at risk — alert MRCC; (9) NEIGHBOURING VESSELS: if container falls overboard — SECURITE broadcast as navigational hazard.

B. Send the bosun and a team of 4 ABs to resecure the container immediately — every minute of delay increases the risk of total lashing failure and cargo loss.

C. Jettison the loose container deliberately to prevent it damaging adjacent cargo. Jettisoning one container is preferable to losing the whole stack.

D. Increase speed to push through the heavy weather zone as quickly as possible. The faster the vessel clears the weather, the sooner deck work can safely commence.

A. CM HEAVY WEATHER PREPARATION — PRE-DEPARTURE: (1) STABILITY CALCULATION: produce final departure stability calculation using the loading computer. Verify: GM exceeds loading manual minimum AND an appropriate margin above minimum for heavy weather (typical recommendation: GM at least 0.5-1.0m above minimum for Force 9+ North Atlantic); check GZ curve meets all intact stability criteria (2008 IS Code); verify trim is within acceptable limits; (2) FLOODING ANGLES: calculate the angle at which the vessel would be at risk of flooding — ventilators, air pipes, or other openings. Ensure this angle has adequate margin above the expected rolling in Force 9; (3) FREE SURFACES: minimise free surfaces in ballast tanks — either top up or press down. Partial tanks create large free surface corrections that reduce effective GM; (4) LASHINGS INSPECTION: physically check all cargo lashings on deck and in holds — direct the bosun and deck gang to retighten any slack lashings. Check hatch covers — all cleats tight, rubber seals intact, cross-joint seals good; (5) DECK FITTINGS: make rounds of the weather deck — secure all portable equipment; check anchor lashings; verify everything on deck is properly secured; (6) BILGES: sound all bilges and ballast tanks — confirm no unexpected water ingress; (7) CREW BRIEFING: brief the watch officers on what speed and heading changes to expect; advise the bosun to keep crew off deck in heavy weather; (8) PASSAGE PLAN REVIEW: review the passage plan with the master — identify alternatives if the weather is worse than forecast.

B. Stability in heavy weather is calculated automatically by the ECDIS loading computer. The Chief Mate only needs to check the final print-out, not independently verify calculations.

C. For a North Atlantic winter passage, the Chief Mate's preparation involves adding extra ballast to maximum capacity regardless of the effect on GM. Maximum ballast always equals safest vessel.

D. Heavy weather preparation is primarily the master's responsibility. The Chief Mate should focus on cargo documentation and hand-over notes rather than stability assessment.

A. CARGO SHIFT — CM INVESTIGATION AND MANAGEMENT: (1) INITIAL ASSESSMENT: 8-degree list unaccounted for by known weights — URGENT. Calculate: with current GM, what weight shift would produce 8 degrees? Formula: d = (W × GG1) / (Δ × GM). This quantifies the possible shift. Stability computer: input the assumed shift and see if it matches observed list; (2) INVESTIGATE CAUSES: (a) Reduce speed and alter course to a more comfortable heading — reduce rolling to minimise further shift; (b) If it is safe to do so, arrange for hold inspection to confirm or identify cargo shift. In Force 9, entry into holds may be impossible safely — wait for a reduction in conditions; (c) Check bilges in all holds — flooding can also cause a list; (d) Check ballast tanks — has a tank emptied or flooded unexpectedly?; (3) CORRECT THE LIST: options to reduce the list: (a) Ballast: pump ballast water to the high side to counteract the list. Use cross-filling of double bottom tanks; (b) Do NOT enter holds to reshift cargo in heavy weather — this is extremely dangerous; (4) STABILITY CALCULATION: recalculate stability with the assumed cargo shift. If GM appears to be reduced significantly — master to consider heading for nearest port of refuge; (5) NOTIFY MASTER: immediately — an 8-degree list is a serious stability situation; (6) MAYDAY READINESS: if list is increasing and stability is deteriorating, prepare for emergency.

B. An 8-degree list can be corrected by transferring fuel oil between port and starboard service tanks. No other investigation is necessary as a list of 8 degrees is within normal operating parameters.

C. Send the bosun's team into the cargo hold immediately to investigate and reshift cargo. Finding the shifted cargo source takes priority over safety considerations in Force 9.

D. Continue passage at full speed. An 8-degree list in heavy weather is caused by dynamic rolling only and will self-correct when the weather improves.