Freeboard

Question 1

The intial application for a load line certificate is made by the vessels’ Owner or their agent. A calculation of the freeboard is then conducted. The freeboard will determine how much cargo a ship can load and this is indicated by the loadline markings on the ships’ side.

Depending on the type of ship under construction there are 5 types of freeboard that could be assigned:

Answer 1

1. Type A
2. Type B
3. Type B with reduced freeboard
4. Type B with increased freeboard
5. Type B with timber freeboard

Question 2

An initial survey of a ship will include:

Answer 2

1. A complete and thorough examination of the ship’s structure internally and externally
2. An examination of openings to spaces below the freeboard and the superstructure decks, the guard rails, freeing ports and means of access to the crew’s quarters.
3. Examination of stability - loading and ballasting information.
4. Determination of all the data which is necessary to calculate the freeboard.

The freeboard is assigned by the ‘Assigning Authority’ who under UK legislation is the Secretary of State, and through them the Marine Coastguard Agency.

Question 3

What are conditions of assignment?

Answer 3

A statutory minimum freeboard is assigned to a vessel depending on its length. The ‘Conditions of Assignment’ refers to the list of criteria which will determine whether the statutory minimum freeboard will be ammended to result in an increase in reserve buoyancy. A ship which complies with teh highest standard of structural strength required by the Rules if the Assigning Authority and with the ‘Conditions of Assignment’ in full may be assigned the statutory minimum freeboard allowed. (Reference:MSIS003.Page 4)

Question 4

Load line survey, discuss….

Answer 4

Openning meeting, master, CO, CE, surveyor

Documentation: Check all ships certs are in date

Loadline Cert: Check the back with the annex, this will list the “Conditions of assignment”

Purpose of survey to check the watertight integrity below waterline and check the weathertight integrity above the waterline.

Physical inspection: watertight doors, hatch covers, tank lids, man holes, overboard discharges
Bulwarks, deck openings
Airpipes/ ventilation, seals, freeing ports
Scuppers, sea suctions, sea chests, port holes, weathertight doors

Stability: check stability printouts and calculations

Closing meeting: findings and surveyors comments
Master is given the opportunity to downgrade any findings by preparing a “Corrective action plan” and presenting to the surveyor.

Question 5

Certificate to prove ship has met it’s freeboard requirements

Answer 5

Load line certificate

Question 6

Validity of load line certificate?

Answer 6

5 years with annual surveys (+-3months of anniversary date)

Question 7

What is fresh-water allowance?

Answer 7

Its is the number of milimeters the mean draft changes when a ship passes from salt to fresh water when the ship is loaded to the summer displacement
FWA(mm) = DISPL summer/ 4TPC(sw)