Additional Safety Measures (Bulkers)

Question 1

Why do bulk carriers need additional safety measures?

Answer 1

SOLAS Chapter XII
As enshrined by The Merchant Shipping (Additional Safety Measures for Bulk Carriers) Regulations 2022

Question 2

What equipment is required for a DG DOC?

Answer 2

Chemical Protection Suits
Extra BA Sets
Enough water jets for 4 to reach any part of the vessel
Ventilation capable of full hold atmosphere exchange at least 5 times per hour
A-class bulkheads between holds and other spaces
Fixed Firefighting Systems in holds
Fire Detection Systems in holds

Question 3

What Conventions do the Merchant Shipping (Additional Safety Measures for Bulk Carriers) Regs refer to?

Answer 3

SOLAS II-1
SOLAS VI
SOLAS XII
ISM Code
ESP Code
Load Line Convention

Question 4

To what ships do the Additional Safety Measures apply, per UK law?

Answer 4

Sea-going bulk carriers over 500GT

Question 5

What constitutes a “heavy” cargo?

Answer 5

Density of 1780kg/cubic metre or higher

Question 6

Damage Stability Requirements - New bulk carriers (post-1999) 150m LOA

Answer 6

Should have sufficient strength to withstand flooding of any one cargo hold, taking into account dynamic effects resulting from presence of water in the hold

Question 7

What additional mark might you see on the hull of a bulk carrier?

Answer 7

A 500mm equilateral triangle may be found on the hull, marked amidships, 300mm below the deck line to denote restrictions on the carriage of heavy cargoes.

Question 8

Prior to loading, what must the shipper do?

Answer 8

Declare (along with all other information) the density of the cargo, in writing to the ship’s master or their representative

Question 9

What additional equipment should bulk carriers be fitted with?

Answer 9

Loading instrument
Water level Detectors (Hold, ballast, dry space water ingress alarms)
Pumping Arrangements for forward spaces, controls readily accessible from bridge or ECR

Question 10

On bulk carriers more than 10 years old, what restrictions are imposed upon them?

Answer 10

Single skin bulk carriers of more than 150m in length and carrying heavy cargoes that cannot withstand the flooding of any one cargo hold, are prohibited from sailing with any hold less than 10% full.

Question 11

Cargo Hold Water Level Alarms - details and depths?

Answer 11

Shall produce visual and audible alarms on the bridge

1st Stage - 0.5m above bottom
2nd Stage - 15% of hold depth OR 2m above hold bottom

Unless! The vessel is fitted with high-level bilge alarms, in which case only Stage 2 sensors are required

Question 12

What does MSC 1143 refer to?

Answer 12

Early assessment of hull damage and possible need for abandonment of bulk carriers

Question 13

Why is the carriage of heavy cargoes a concern for stability?

Answer 13

Due to the relatively high percentage of unoccupied hold space, a flooding event would allow for large volumes of water ingress to rapidly destroy residual buoyancy or cause structural failure as shear forces and bending moments exceed design limits

Question 14

As Master

The Chief Mate has completed their rounds of the vessel following heavy weather and reports that they have found damage in the focsle store, chain locker and the accessway to Hold #1

Actions?

Answer 14

Sound GA.
Full muster.
PAN PAN broadcast. (upgrade to MAYDAY if damage confirmed)
Ready survival craft.
Continue to monitor loading instrument and vessel trim.

Question 15

Vessel has been through heavy weather. Actions and concerns?

Answer 15

Conduct full and thorough rounds of vessel, paying attention to hatches, hull plates, bilges, sounding of void spaces, inspection of holds where possible, mooring equipment and aerials.

If ANY damage is found, report to bridge and/or Master.

Question 16

As Master

The Chief Mate has completed their rounds of the vessel following heavy weather and reports that they have noted some mooring lines are missing.

Actions?

Answer 16

Securité broadcast to advise shipping in area of potential hazard to navigation.
Report loss to office, requesting spares per CO specification.
Consider booking of tugs for future berthing
Delegate updating of Mooring Line Log

Question 17

Following a report of damage, the OOW calls you during their night watch to ask if having the deck lights on is necessary, as their night vision is suffering.

What do you do?

Answer 17

I got to the bridge to give them support and tell them that the deck lights are on to be able to assist in the identification of abnormalities of vessel behaviour. Unfortunately, their comfort is of a secondary priority when the safety of the ship is at risk.

Question 18

With regard to abandonment, what is the overriding principle?

Answer 18

Human life is more important than property.

Question 19

Hatch Covers - weekly inspection?

Answer 19

External examination of closed hatch covers and securing arrangements, specifically in the Fwd 25% of the vessel, where sea load is the greatest

Question 20

Hatch Covers - voyage checks?

Answer 20

The following should be inspected when hatches are opened or accessible, but not more than monthly;

Panels, side plates and stiffeners
Sealing arrangements
Clamping devices, cleats, retainer bars
Locating pins
Chain or wire pulleys and guides
Guide rails and track wheels
Stoppers
Wires, chains, gypsies and tensioners
COAMINGS

Question 21

What do the CSR-BC hull notations mean?

Answer 21

Level of robustness, ability to load high-density cargo and compatibility with alternative/block loading methods