During offshore or inland water operations involving Oil Booms, operators are often instructed to raise the ship’s propeller. Although this action may seem simple, it is crucial for operational safety, efficiency, and equipment protection. The following analysis explains the reasons from both technical and operational perspectives:

1. Prevent Oil Boom Entanglement or Damage

The bottom of an Oil Boom is usually equipped with weighted chains or ballast to ensure vertical deployment and resistance against water currents. If the ship’s propeller remains lowered:

• Rotating propeller blades may come into contact with the Boom’s ballast chains, floats, or cables.
• Any entanglement can tear the Boom material and may lead to total deployment failure.
• The risk is especially high in fast-flowing water or rough sea conditions.

2.Protect Ship Propellers and Equipment

High-speed propeller rotation in contact with the Boom or ballast chains may cause:

• Local deformation, breakage, or wear of the propeller blades.
• Damage to the Boom floats, connections, or weighted chains.
• Increased maintenance costs and potential operational delays.

3. Improve Deployment Accuracy and Operational Efficiency
Ship propulsion directly affects deployment speed and direction:

• When the propeller is stopped or raised, the vessel’s thrust is reduced, allowing operators better control of ship speed.
• Slow and steady speed ensures the Oil Boom unfolds smoothly and evenly, avoiding wrinkles or folds on the water surface.
• This is particularly critical in narrow ports, rivers, or environmentally sensitive areas where precise deployment is required.

4. Reduce Operational Safety Risks
High-speed propellers pose safety risks beyond equipment damage:

• If the Boom or ballast chain is drawn into the propeller, debris may be ejected, endangering personnel.
• In emergency situations, the propeller can prevent timely handling of entanglement, increasing the risk of accidents.

5. Interaction with Environmental Factors
Water currents, wind, and tides affect ship maneuverability during Oil Boom deployment:

• Raising the propeller forces the vessel to rely more on auxiliary propulsion (e.g., tug assistance, rudder, or winches) for slow movement.
• It prevents water disturbance caused by the propeller from affecting the Boom’s deployment direction, ensuring effective containment of pollutants.

Raising the ship’s propeller may seem like a minor action, but it plays a critical role in Oil Boom deployment. It protects equipment, enhances deployment accuracy, reduces operational risk, and ensures smooth and efficient operations. For operators, understanding the principles and necessity of raising the propeller is a key step in executing safe and high-quality oil containment operations.

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