When a vessel comes into port, there is a lot of work that happens between arrival and departure and the PCMS team is there to help keep the operation moving safely and efficiently.
Recently, PCMS provided tie-up, cargo offloading, and let-go services for the Omishima during her call in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The Omishima is a nearly 200-meter bulk carrier with a deadweight capacity of more than 63,000 tonnes, making every stage of the operation a coordinated team effort.
Starting with a Safe Tie-Up
The work begins before cargo ever starts moving.
PCMS crews are on the ground as the vessel arrives, handling lines and helping safely secure the ship at the berth. Tie-up operations require constant communication and situational awareness. With heavy lines, moving equipment, changing tension and a vessel of this size, every crew member needs to know where they are, what is happening around them and what comes next.
Once the vessel is safely secured, the focus shifts to the job ahead.
Keeping the Offload Moving
Cargo offloading is where PCMS’s experience, equipment and people come together.
Our crews work around the clock to safely and efficiently move material from ship to shore, operating cranes and buckets while coordinating with the vessel, terminal and other personnel involved in the operation.
It’s demanding work. Crane operators must maintain a consistent digging pattern, boom appropriately and keep material moving while remaining aware of changing conditions in the hold. Ground personnel keep a close eye on equipment, surroundings and the overall operation.
Safety remains the priority throughout. If something doesn’t look right, our crews know to speak up.
Finishing the Job with the Let-Go
When the cargo operation is complete, PCMS is there for the final step: letting the vessel go.
Just like the tie-up, letting go requires coordination, communication, and careful line handling as the vessel prepares to leave the berth. It’s the last piece of a job that involved days of work and multiple PCMS crews.
From the first line ashore to the last line released, PCMS provides the people, equipment and experience needed to support vessels throughout their time in port.
The Omishima is a great example of the full range of marine terminal services our team provides: tie-ups, let-gos, crane operations and cargo offloading—all with safety at the center of the job.