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Yacht loading and unloading supervision

Two Cigisped team members on deck watching a motor yacht being lifted with spreader bars

A crane crew lifts whatever is on the hook. Our job is to make sure your yacht is lifted like a yacht.

Every yacht we ship has a Cigisped loadmaster at the loading and again at the discharge. The loadmaster works alongside the ship's crew and the port team, keeps the operation in line with the plan, and deals with anything unexpected on the spot.

  • At loading
  • At discharge
  • Included in the transport
Not just good practice

The rules behind a safe lift

IMO, SOLAS chapter VI

Cargo carried on a ship has to be loaded, stowed and secured for the whole voyage in line with the ship's Cargo Securing Manual, approved by its flag administration.

UK lifting regulations, LOLER 1998

Every lift should be properly planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised and carried out safely. Slings and other lifting accessories need a thorough examination at least every 6 months.

Rules like these set the standard for the ship and the port. The loadmaster's role is to make sure they are applied to your yacht in particular.

From the quay to the deck

  1. 01

    Before the ship arrives

    The lifting plan is checked against the yacht's weight, its centre of gravity and the sling marks on the hull. The cradle is set in its place on deck, ready to take the yacht.

  2. Motor yacht lifted in slings hung from spreader bars by the ship's cranes
    02

    Slings on, then the lift

    Soft slings go under the hull at the marked points, away from shafts, propellers, fins and transducers. Spreader bars keep them off the topsides. The yacht is raised just clear first, so balance and sling positions can be checked before the full lift.

  3. Cigisped loadmaster checking the lashing straps holding a yacht on its cradle on deck
    03

    Down on the cradle, then lashed

    As the yacht is lowered, pads and side supports are brought up to the hull. Lashing and sea fastening are finished and checked before the ship sails.

  4. Yacht lowered from a cargo ship straight into the water at discharge
    04

    The same care at discharge

    At the other end, the lashings come off and the yacht is lifted out again, then set afloat or put down on the quay, with our loadmaster there for this half as well.

Loadmaster and surveyor: who does what

Cigisped loadmasterIndependent surveyor
Works forCigisped, on the yacht's sideNo party in the job
RoleGuides the operation and steps in when something isn't rightObserves and records
ResultA lift and a lashing done to planA written survey report with photos
WhenLoading and dischargeBefore loading and after discharge

What the loadmaster won't let pass

  • A sling resting on a rail, a fitting or anything below the waterline
  • A lift started before the yacht is balanced in the slings
  • Lashing points taken from parts of the yacht not built for the load
  • Loose gear on deck, or a yacht not prepared as agreed, see our preparation tips
  • A lift in conditions where it can't be done safely
  • Sea fastening left unfinished when the ship is ready to sail

Part of every shipment

Supervision isn't an extra to remember to book. It comes with the transport, whether the yacht is craned on board or floated on, and it covers both ends of the trip.

Questions about loading supervision

Do I pay extra for supervision?

No. A Cigisped loadmaster is part of every yacht transport we arrange, at loading and at discharge.

Who actually operates the cranes?

The ship's crew and the port team run the cranes and the lifting gear. Our loadmaster works with them for the yacht, so the slings, the cradle and the lashing suit your boat.

What if the weather turns during loading?

A lift only goes ahead when it can be done safely. If conditions aren't right, it waits, and we keep you posted on the new time.

How is this different from the survey report?

The loadmaster guides the operation for the yacht. The surveyor is independent and keeps a record of how the yacht looked going on board and coming off, so the two complement each other.

Shipping a yacht soon? Tell us the loading port and when the yacht needs to move, so we can plan the transport and the supervision as one job.

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