1.2 Loadline Convention Flashcards

1
Q

What is the purpose of having load lines?

A
  • To allot a maximum legal limit up to which a ship can be loaded safely so that it can survive the expected weather conditions in its trading area.

By prescribing such limits, the risk of having the vessel sailing with inadequate freeboard and buoyancy can be limited. A vessel should be having sufficient freeboard at all times.

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2
Q

What is the general applicability of the Loadline Convention 1966?

A

The 1966 Convention shall apply to:
a) Ships registered in countries the Governments of which are Contracting Governments.
b) Ships registered in territories to which the present Convention is extended.
c) Unregistered ships flying the flag of a State, the Government of which is a Contracting Government.
d) Ships engaged in international voyages.

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3
Q

List the five categories of vessels to which the load line convention does not apply

A

The load line convention is not applicable to the following vessel categories:
a) Ships of war.
b) New ships of less than 24 metres in length.
c) Existing ships of less than 150 GT.
d) Pleasure yachts not engaged in trade.
e) Fishing vessels.

Note:
New ship means a ship, the keel of which is laid, or which is at a similar stage of construction, on or after the date of coming into force of the present Convention (21 July 1968) for each Contracting Government.

An existing ship means a ship that is not a new ship.

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4
Q

What are the two different types of load lines?

A

There are two types of Load line markings:
Standard Load Line marking – This is applicable to all types of vessels.
Timber Load Line Markings – This is applicable to vessels carrying timber cargo.

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5
Q

State the general requirements under the ‘Conditions of Assignment’ to be met before any vessel can be assigned a load line.

State the SIX (6) basic ‘conditions of assignment’ of a load line.

A
  1. The master must be provided with adequate information to load his vessel and calculate the various stresses imposed on the vessel.
    (Loadicator, Manual calculation with intact stability and damage control booklet)
  2. The master must be provided with adequate information to calculate the vessel’s stability at all times.
  3. The vessel must be watertight from the keel to the freeboard deck.
    (Structural requirement)
  4. The vessel must be weather-tight from the freeboard deck up to a height of 4.5m above it.
    (Structural requirement)
  5. There must be adequate protection for the crew provided to access all parts of the vessel safely (guardrails, bulwarks, catwalks).
  6. There must be adequate freeing arrangements to permit the vessel to shed water from the freeboard deck.
    (Scuppers, drain pipes, camber structure design)

Note: A ship to which the Convention applies must comply with the requirements for that particular ship and cannot rely on the data for a sister ship. The ‘Conditions of Assignment of Load Line’ issued by the Class/Flag to the vessel will give full detail of all the conditions based on which the ILLC was issued.

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6
Q

Describe and differentiate between Type A and Type B ships under the Convention.

A

Type A - Tankers

a) High integrity of the exposed deck.
b) High degree of safety against flooding.

Type B - All other ships

The value of the freeboard shall be reduced if a Type B vessel satisfies some additional safety criteria.

As a result, there are ship types B-100, B-60, and B-0 to 60. The number following the letter B signifies the percentage up to which exemption is granted.

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7
Q

Why is there a requirement for ships’s less than 100m in length to increase it’s load line to 50mm for the WNA?

A

Trading in the North Atlantic during winter months. The estimated distance between waves are 100m. (No exemption)

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8
Q

What is the period of validity of a load line certificate? What is the required survey cycle for a vessel to obtain a load line certificate and thereafter, to maintin its validity.

A

The load line certificate is a statutory certificate with a maximum period of validity of 5 years.

Initial survey
Annual survey
Renewal survey

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9
Q

What are the obligations of the Master if repairs or modifications to the vessel are required?

A

After any survey has been completed, no change should be made in the structure, equipment, or other matters covered by the survey without the sanction of the Administration.

After repairs or alterations, a ship should comply with at least the requirements previously applicable and that, after major repairs or alterations, ships should comply with the requirements for a new ship in so far as the Administration deems reasonable and practicable.
(Condition of Class)

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10
Q

What is the required survey cycle for a vessel to obtain a load line certificate and thereafter, to maintain its validity?

A

Load line requirements have been harmonised with other statutory surveys and also with Classification Surveys under the harmonised system of survey and certification.

The survey cycle to obtain and maintain the validity of a Load Line certificate is:
1. Initial (before the vessel is put into service).
2. Annual Survey every year (within three months on either side of the anniversary date).
3. Renewal Survey - that must be conducted between three months prior to (with no loss of validity) and the fifth-anniversary date.

The renewal Survey leads to the issue of a new certificate

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11
Q

Briefly explain the scope of each of the surveys in relation to load line:
- Initial
- Annual
- Renewal

A

Initial survey:
- Measurement of the vessel.
- Allocation of freeboard.
- Proof that all of the conditions of assignment have been met.
- Embossing of the load line markings.

Annual Survey:
- Checking that the embossed marks have not been tampered with.
- Checking that no structural changes have been made to the vessel that might affect the assignment of freeboard.

Renewal Survey:
- Check measurements of the load line markings.
- Testing of watertight and weather-tight integrity of all openings above and below the freeboard deck.
- An examination of all arrangements installed for the protection of the crew.

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12
Q

Describe the documentation and records that the Master has to maintain onboard for compliance with the Convention (LL)

A
  1. Certificates
    Load Line Certificate (LLC) or Load Line Exemption Certificate (LLEC).
  2. Record of particulars
    Ship’s particulars detailing the dimensions, tonnage, plans.
  3. Record of freeboards
    Record of the actual freeboards for each and every voyage entered and signed by the person in charge (Master or Mate). This is normally recorded in the official log book or the deck log book.
  4. Information relating to the stability and loading of the ship. Prepared by the Master or Mate after each loading and unloading of the vessel. Arrival and departure stability and cargo load figures are normally attached to each cargo plan.

i. Intact stability (Regular day-to-day)
ii. Damage stability and damage control plan (Damage to hull)
iii. Function to switch between (i) and (ii) within the loadicator.

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13
Q

List the documents the Master would need for annual and renewal load line survey.

A
  1. Check and keep certificates ready for inspection.
  2. Check for any remarks or observations from previous surveys and ensure they are rectified.
  3. Check the conditions of the assignment of the load-line form and check each item to ensure any modifications made thereafter have been endorsed.
  4. Ensure information relating to the stability and loading of the ship are available and approved by the class.
  5. Ensure records available for the drafts and arrival departure stability conditions.
  6. Ensure the class-approved loadicator has been tested and records of routine test results are available. Approved loadicator manual is available.
  7. The updated load line chart is available to the Master and is in use.
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14
Q

List the physical checks that the Chief Mate would need to undertake prior to the annual and renewal load line survey.

A

General steps:
- Documentation expiry date.
- Requesting for survey when nearing expiry date.
- Prepare for survey.
- Ensure proper record keeping.
- Accompanying the surveyor during survey.

Physical checks:
1. Check load line and draft marks (repaint as necessary).
2. Ensure the vessel is watertight from the keel to the freeboard deck and weather-tight from the freeboard deck up to a height of 4.5 m above it. Various tests, including hose test, chalk test, ultrasound gun scanner test, etc., can be used to detect flaws.
3. Check all cargo hatches and access to holds for weather tightness. Tank domes on tankers need to be oil-tight.
4. Guard railings, ladders, bulwarks, and crew shelters on deck were checked to be in good condition.
5. Water-freeing arrangements on each deck, including scupper plugs, should be checked.
6. Inspect machinery space and other ventilator openings on the exposed deck for tight closing.
7. Sounding and air pipes fitted with satisfactory means of closing and opening.
8. Pilot doors, stern ramps, etc., are operating correctly and sealing tight.
9. Test non-return arrangements on overboard discharge valves.
10. Open areas are free of slip and trip hazards and marked appropriately.

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15
Q

When should a vessel (to which the Convention applies) comply with the load line marks?

A

The appropriate load lines on the sides of the ship, corresponding to the season and to the zone or area in which the ship may be, must not be submerged at any time when the ship puts to sea, during the voyage or on arrival.

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16
Q

Under what circumstances may a vessel depart from a port with the appropriate load line submerged?

A

The appropriate load line can be submerged only under the following circumstances:

  1. If the dock water density is less than 1.025 t/m3 as measured by a load line hydrometer. If the vessel is in FW, she can submerge the appropriate mark by the amount of Fresh Water Allowance (FWA), and if in brackish water, by the Dock Water Allowance (DWA).
  2. A vessel may depart from an upriver wharf loaded beyond the assigned draught by an amount equal to the consumption of fuel stores and other consumables that will be used up before the vessel reaches the open sea.
  3. A small list is permissible so that the Plimsoll line on one side is submerged but the other side is exposed. In this case, the mean draught at the Plimsoll line must not exceed the assigned summer draught.
  4. With the written approval of the Administration. (e.g. rescue at sea).
  5. Incidences of Force Majeure. (e.g. firefighting, heavy-weather damage, etc.).
17
Q

What are the requirements under Australian legislation concerning load lines?

A

Marine Order 16, Load Lines

Criteria for issue of an International Load Lines Certificate:
- The vessel has completed the initial or renewal survey.
- Freeboards have been assigned.
- The vessel has a record of the conditions of assignment of load lines.

Criteria for issue of an International Load Lines Exemption Certificate:
- The vessel has completed the initial or renewal survey.
- For a vessel that is to undertake a single international voyage — AMSA is satisfied that the vessel complies with safety requirements that are adequate for the voyage to be undertaken.

Conditions on an International Load Lines Certificate:
- Fittings and appliances are maintained in effective condition.
- Deck line and load line marks are correctly and permanently indicated.
- For a passenger vessel to which SOLAS applies, subdivision load line marks are correctly and permanently indicated.
- The vessel is marked with draft marks.
- Annual surveys are completed and endorsed.
- After any survey has been completed, any change to the structure, equipment, arrangements, material or scantlings covered by survey must be approved by an issuing body.

Requirements for foreign vessels:
- Load lines marked.
- Have a record of the conditions of assignment of load lines
- Maintain in an effective condition its fittings and appliances for the protection of openings, guard rails, freeing ports and means of access to the crew’s quarters.
- Not have its hull or superstructures materially altered without the assignment of freeboard being increased since the issue of any International Load Lines Certificate in force for the vessel
- Comply with any conditions imposed by any Load Lines Exemption Certificate in force for the vessel.

Master must not take the vessel out to sea without:
i. A loading instrument which includes a computer and any associated computer program must be approved by an issuing body.
ii. Stability information is available onbaord.

A vessel, other than a passenger vessel, is overloaded if:
(a) The appropriate load line would be submerged if the vessel were floating without a list in still salt water of a specific gravity of 1.025.
(b) The vessel is engaged on, or is about to engage on, a voyage during which a load line, other than the appropriate load line, would:
(i) become the appropriate load line (the second load line) during the voyage
(ii) the second load line would be submerged if the vessel were floating without a list in still salt water of a specific gravity of 1.025.

Note The fuel and other material that would normally be consumed or discharged before the second load line became the appropriate load line may be taken into account. A passenger vessel is overloaded if the appropriate subdivision load line would be submerged if the vessel were floating without a list in still salt water of a specific gravity of 1.025.

Appropriate load line:
For a regulated Australian vessel to which the Load Lines Convention applies, or would apply if engaged on an international voyage, the appropriate load line
is the load line marked on the vessel, in accordance with the Load Lines Convention, that applies to the season of the year and the zone in which the vessel is located.

Marking requirements for regulated Australian vessels:
A regulated Australian vessel must not taken it to sea if:
(a) the vessel is not marked, in the position specified in its Load Lines Certificate, with a deck line and load line.
(b) for a passenger vessel to which SOLAS applies — a subdivision load line is not marked in accordance with regulation 18 of Chapter II-I of SOLAS.
(c) the vessel is not marked with draft marks in accordance with paragraph 6 of regulation 5 of Chapter II-I of SOLAS.

The criteria for revocation of a certificate are that:
(a) the hull or superstructures of the vessel are altered to the extent that assignment of increased freeboard is required.
(b) the structural strength of the vessel has been lowered to the extent that the vessel is unsafe.
(c) a condition of the certificate has been breached.
(d) a condition of exemption has been breached.
(e) the vessel to which the certificate applies ceases to be registered in Australia.
(f) the owner of the vessel asks in writing that the vessel’s certificate be revoked.
(g) the certificate contains incorrect information.

18
Q

If a port is situated on the boundary between 2 load-line zones, which load line should the vessel adhere to?

A

A port standing on the boundary line between two zones or areas shall be regarded as within the zone or area from which the ship arrives or into which she departs.

Refer to the load line chart above. A and B are two ports that are located on the border between two load line zones.

When the vessel is sailing from A to B in July, Port A would be considered to be in the Tropical Zone as the vessel is departing into the Tropical zone and Port B would be considered a Winter Zone as the vessel is arriving from the Winter Zone.

19
Q

Why do we need to manual valve at the collision bulkhead on the forepeak ballast line?

Why must it be closed at all times at sea unless actually pumping?

A

To prevent flooding in case of a collision.

20
Q

Why do we need spurling piper covers leading to the chain locker?

A

To ensure that nothing goes through when the anchoring operation is done and also for safety reasons to avoid trips or falls due to these openings.

21
Q

What are the duties of the Master, in relation to load line, prior to the ship encountering heavy weather.

A
  • Securing the ship.
  • Protecting the anchors.
  • Protecting the bosun store.
22
Q

how do you know if you are within the limits in relation to load line?

A

Select the option of “Sea” within the loadicator to see the “worse case scenario” and the levels should be within tolerance level.

(Still water bending momens) and (Still water shear forces)