1.
Military Sealift Command.
a. The primary mission of the MSC controlled tanker fleet is to provide worldwide transportation for the
delivery of petroleum products from refineries to DOD storage facilities. The tanker fleet consists of
approximately 30 tankers, which vary in size from 27,000 to 38,000 tons.
b. There are three types of contracts.
(1) Bareboat charter. The tanker is leased to MSC; MSC personnel crew the ship and are responsible
for all expenses.
(2) Time charter. From a few weeks to a number of years, the owner provides the crew and pays all
expenses.
(3) Single voyage charter. The ship is leased for a single voyage, and the owner is responsible for the
crew and all expenses.
c. There are two types of service.
(1) Dirty service--for heating oils and crude service.
(2) Clean service--for finished products only. Ships cannot carry split cargoes without prior approval
from the DESC.
2.
Terms.
a. Bow. Front end of the vessel.
b. Stern. Rear end of the vessel, also called the "aft section."
c. Midships. Center of the vessel.
d. Port. The left side of the ship when standing midships and facing the bow.
e. Starboard. The right side of the ship when standing midships and facing the bow.
f. Deadweight tonnage. The carrying capacity of a tanker in long tons of 2,240 pounds.
g. List. When the vessel leans to the port or starboard.
h. Trim. When the vessel is level in the water and plumb. The vessel is trim for voyage when it is
slightly down in the stern.
QM5200
14-2
Previous Page
