What checks do you make as Chief Engineer before undocking?

flowchart LR
  A["Underwater work complete and passed by class"] --> B["Every opening boxed up and tallied against the docking plan"]
  B --> C["Anodes and coatings done"]
  C --> D["Machinery, bilge and ballast ready"]
  D --> E["Stability confirmed with the Chief Officer"]
  E --> F["Surveyor sign-off, permits closed, dock clear"]
  F --> G["Authority to flood; watch for leaks"]

• Why: a one-way door; an open sea valve, a missing plug or a bad stern-tube seal floods the ship on refloating.
• Underwater work passed by class: tailshaft wear-down, propeller push-up and nut locked, stern-tube seals, rudder clearances and steering test.
• Every opening boxed up against the docking plan: sea-chest gratings, sea valves reassembled and shut, every bottom plug refitted, overboard plugs and test blanks removed; a person-by-person close-up tally.
• Anodes and coatings: anodes renewed and bonded, coating scheme cured, draft marks and load line restored.
• Ready to float: systems made up, machinery ready, bilge and ballast tested as the first defence against a leak.
• Stability with the Chief Officer: soundings on the blocks, free surface eliminated, positive GM at refloating, watertight doors and hatches closed.
• Authority to flood: only after the surveyor’s sign-off, permits closed and the dock clear; then I walk the openings and watch for leaks.