LOAD LINE SURVEY

LOAD LINE SURVEY

Intro:

1. The load line convention entered into force on 21^st July 1968
2. Rules of Load Line to ascertain vessel is

                                          i.    Structurally adequate

                                         ii.    Adequate stability

                                        iii.    Water from keel to freeboard and weather tight above freeboard

                                       iv.    Working platform high enough from water surface to allow safe movement on exposed deck

                                        v.    Enough volume and reserve buoyancy above waterline so that vessel safe in heavy seaway

Validity:

·         Maximum period of validity is 5 years from the date of completion of survey

·         Periodical inspection within 3 months either way of each annual anniversary date of the certificate, to ensure that:

o    Alterations have not been made to the hull or superstructures which would affect the calculations determining the position of the load line

o    The maintenance is an effective condition of fittings and appliances for:

§  Protection of openings

§  Guard rails

§  Freeing ports

§  Means of access to crew’s quarters

Mark:

·         No ship shall proceed to sea or an international voyage unless it has been marked (and inspected)

Scope of Survey

1. Superstructure and bulkheads

2. Doors - sills  - closing arrangement

            Cargo and other Hatchways

          3. Coamings - stays – covers - portable beams

4. Carriers or Sockets - cleats – battens and wedges

          5. Tarpaulins - security of hatchway covers

                   Machinery Space Openings

            6. Steel casing - access openings – doors – sills - coamings

                   Openings

            7. Manholes - Flush – scuttles – companionways

          8. Ventilators - coamings – closing arrangements

          9. Air Pipes - closing arrangements

          10. Cargo Ports

                        Scuppers – Inlets and Discharges

          11. Closing Arrangement

          12. Side Scuttles

          13. Dead Lights

          14. Freeing Ports - rails – bars – shutters

                        Protection of the Crew

          15. Guard Rails – bulwarks – life lines

                   Special Conditions of Assignment for Type A Ships

            16. Machinery casings

          17. Gangway and access – hatchway – freeing arrangements

                   Load Line Marks

            18. Lines

          19. Letters engraved

          20. Hose testing

Condition of assignments:

1.    The construction of the ship must be such that her general structural strength will be sufficient for the freeboard assigned. The design and construction of the ship must be such that her stability in all probable loading conditions is sufficient assigned.

2.    Superstructure End Bulkhead:

·          to be efficient construction to the satisfaction of the administration. The heights of the sill of the openings at the ends of enclosed superstructure should be at least 380mm above deck.

3.    Hatchways closed by Portable Covers with Tarpaulins:

·         The coamings should be of substantial construction with a height above deck of at least 600mm on exposed freeboard and on exposed superstructure deck within ¼ of the ship’s length from FP (position 1) and at least 450mm on exposed superstructure decks outside ¼ of the ship’s length from FP(position 2).

·         Mild steel pontoon covers used in place of portable beams are to have their strength calculated with the assumed loads above.

·         Battens and wedges should be in good condition.

·         At least 2 tarpaulins in good condition should be provided for each hatchway. And should be approved material, strength and waterproof.

4.    Hatchway closed by Weather tight Steel Covers

·         Coaming heights are as for those hatchways with portable beam covers.

·         Mild steel covers should have their strength calculated assuming the loads given previously.

·         Means of securing weather tightness should be to the satisfaction of the Administration, the tightness being maintained in any sea condition.

5.    Machinery Space Openings

·         to be proper framed and efficiently enclosed by steel casings of the ample strength.

·         Steel doors to be fitted for access should have the sill at least 600mm above deck in position 1, and at least 380mm above deck in position 2.

·         Fiddley, funnel, or machinery space ventilator coamings on exposed decks are to be as high above deck as reasonable.

6.    Other Openings in Freeboard and Superstructure Decks

·         Manholes and flush scuttles in position 1 and 2 or within superstructures and other than enclosed superstructures should be closed by substantial weather-tight covers.

·         Doors for access should be of steel, and the sills should have the same height above.

7.    Ventilators

·         Should have steel coamings and where they exceed 900mm in the height they should be specially supported.

·         In Position 1 ventilator coamings should be of height 900mm above deck, and in Position 2 760mm above deck.

·         Vent openings should be provided with efficient weather-tight closing appliances.

8.    Air Pipes

·         Exposed parts of pipe shall be of substantial construction.

·         Height from deck should be at least 760mm on freeboard deck, and 450mm on superstructure decks.

·         Lower height may be approved if these heights interfere with working arrangements.

·         Permanently attached means of closing the pipe openings should be provided.

9.    Cargo Ports and Other Similar Side Openings

·         Below the freeboard deck to be fitted with watertight doors to ensure the ship’s structural integrity.

10. Scuppers, Inlets, and Discharges

·         Discharges should be fitted with efficient and accessible means for preventing water from passing inboard.

·         Normally this should be an automatic non-return valve with means of closing provided above the freeboard deck.

·         In machinery space, main and auxiliary sea inlets and discharges in connection with machinery operation of machinery may be controlled locally.

11. Side Scuttles

·         Below the freeboard deck or within the enclosed superstructures side scuttles should be fitted with efficient hinged, watertight, inside deadlights.

12. Free Openings

·         The lower edges of freeing port should be as near the deck as practicable.

·         Openings in the bulwarks are protected by bars spaced approximately 230mm apart.

·         If shutters are fitted, these should be prevented from jamming.

13. Protection of Crew

·         Efficient guardrails or bulwarks of minimum height 1m are to be fitted on all exposed parts pf freeboard and superstructure decks.

·         Maximum vertical spacing between deck and lower rail is 230mm, and between other rails is 380mm.

·         Satisfactory means should be provided for protection of crew in getting to and from their quarter and other parts used in working of the ship.

Special Conditions of Assignment for Type A Ship

1.    Machinery Casings

·         To be protected by an enclosed poop or bridge of standard height, or deckhouse of equivalent strength and   height.

2.    Gangway and Access

·         An efficiently constructed fore and aft gangway should be fitted at the level of the superstructure deck between poop and midship bridge or deck house, or equivalent means such as passages below deck.

·         If houses are all aft, satisfactory arrangements should be made to allow crew to reach all parts of ship for working purposes.

3.    Hatchways

·         All exposed hatchway on freeboard and forecastle decks or on top of expansion trunks are to be provided with efficient watertight covers of steel.

4.    Freeing Arrangements

·         Should have open rail fitted for at least half the length of the exposed parts of the weather deck, with the upper edge of the sheer strake being kept as low as possible.

·         Where superstructures are connected by trunks, open rails should be fitted for the while length of the exposed parts of the freeboard deck in way of the trunk.