Ch 2-General cargo (break bulk)

Question 1

Why are general cargo vessels versatile?

Answer 1

They carry goods shipped in packaging of
different sizes, shapes, material and weights

Question 2

Who has the responsibility of cargo operation?

Answer 2

Chief Officer

Question 3

What is deadweight (DWT)?

Answer 3

a ship’s cargo carrying capacity, the weight
of the cargo, stores, bunkers and water that the ship can carry

Question 4

What is stowage factor?

Answer 4

the ammount of space a particular cargo occupies

Question 5

Does stowage factor include broken stowage?

Answer 5

No, hence further estimates must be made for this factor.

Question 6

How many hulls must a vessel have (according to SOLAS)?

Answer 6

2

Question 7

9 stages to planning load of a vessel

Answer 7

1. Calculate the total cargo booked in terms of weight and volume
2. Allocate space to any cargo for which there is no flexibility of stow
3. Place cargo that is to be loaded in the first port and discharged in the last, can be allocated bottom stowage or least accessible space
4. Next place cargo that is to be loaded in the final load port for the first discharge port
5. Consider any other cargo that has restrictions on stowage because of its special nature
6. Remaining cargo for the first port of discharge may now be placed as dictated by its loading port order
7. Cargo remaining from the final load port should now be allocated space
8. Complete allocation of space to the balance of cargo that is to be loaded in the first port
9. Place cargo from other load ports in the remaining spaces

Question 8

What 5 checks should be made when loading?

Answer 8

1. A reasonable number of cargo cranes are engaged
2. Weights of individual lifts are within the SWL of gear available at the relevant hatches
3. Loading on tank-tops, tween-decks, hatch covers and main decks are within maximum allowable limits
4. Trim and stability at departure is acceptable
5. There is no over-stowing

Question 9

What is a cargo stowage plan?

Answer 9

a diagrammatic representation of the cargo loaded or planned
to be loaded

Question 10

What purposes does a stowage plan serve (4)?

Answer 10

• Advising the stevedores at the discharge ports of how the cargo on the cargo manifest
  is actually stowed within the ship. This permits the planning of labour and machinery
  requirements in advance.
• Providing a record of stowage for the use of ship’s officers when overseeing the
  loading or discharging.
• Proving the correct stowage in the event of cargo claims
• Maintaining a record on board to assist in the planning of future voyages.

Question 11

What information should be included in the cargo stowage plan (4)?

Answer 11

• Identification of load and discharge port
• Description of the cargo
• Quantity of cargo in total number of packages and weight
• Any other information that may be useful (i.e. pre slinging, dimension of large items, etc)

Question 12

How often should cargo space bilges be sounded?

Answer 12

Daily

Question 13

What may salt water in the cargo space bilges suggest?

Answer 13

There may be a leak in the hull, ballast pipes or hatch covers

Question 14

What may fresh water in the cargo space bilges suggest?

Answer 14

May be ship or cargo sweat, rain or some other liquid

Question 15

What should be monitored so a decision can be made on ventilation?

Answer 15

Relative humidity and dew point

Question 16

Why may photos be taken of cargo before and after shipping?

Answer 16

In case of damaged cargo claims

Question 17

What is a cargo stowage plan?

Answer 17

A diagrammatic representation of the cargo loaded or planned to be loaded

Question 18

What is sounding?

Answer 18

The measured height of the fluid from the surface of the fluid to the bottom of the tank

Question 19

What is ullage?

Answer 19

The void space in the tank measured from the top of the tank to the upper surface of the fluid

Question 20

According to the Merchant S