Load Line Convention

Question 1

Who does the load line convention apply to?

Answer 1

vessels over 24m in length sailing Internationally

Question 2

What are the UK load line regulations and who do they apply to?

Answer 2

MS (Intl load line convention) regs 2018
applies to UK ships on Intl voyages and Non UK ships in UK waters on International voyages over 24m in length

MS (Load Line) regulations 1998
applies to all ships to which the international load line regulations do not apply including domestic ships

Question 3

What are the intact stability requirements?

Answer 3

1. Area under the GZ curve up to 30 degrees not less than 0.055m-rad
2. Area under the GZ curve up to 40 degrees or angle of downflooding not less than 0.09m-rad
3. Area between 30 and 40 degrees (or angle of downflooding) not less than 0.03m-rad
4. GZ at least 0.20m at heel angle of at least 30 degrees
5. Max GZ at least 30 degrees
6. Initial GM at least 0.15m

Question 4

What requirements are included in the load line regulations?

Answer 4

1. Minimum height of door sills
2. Minimum height of hatch coamings
3. Strength of all closing devices for hatches and covers
4. Machinery space openings
5. Ventilators
6. Air pipes
7. Scuppers and non return valves
8. Side scuttles and deadlights
9. Freeing ports
10. Guard rails and wires
11. Safe walkways between forward and aft working positions
12. Calculation of freeboards

Question 5

What are my responsibilities onboard regarding load line?

Answer 5

1. Ensuring vessel certification is accurate and up to date
2. Ensuring the ships official log is completed with vessel stability on departure
3. Ensure the draft of water and freeboard notice (FRE13) is posted before sailing
4. Ensuring all watertight doors and closing devices are maintained on deck
5. Ensuring all deadlights and closing devices are maintained
6. Ensuring vessel is watertight before sailing
7. Ensuring all cargo securing devices are maintained
8. Ensuring all railings and barriers to prevent falling are in place and maintained
9. Ensure vessel is loaded within limits for the entire voyage
10. Ensure vessel is loaded and secure for any conceivable weather and sea conditions expected before sailing.
11. Make sure load line markings, drafts and deck line are clean and clear

Question 6

What stability requirements are there for carriage of timber cargoes?

Answer 6

1. Initial GM is much less - 0.05m because of the Timbers inherent buoyancy
2. Must have a forecastle
3. Over 100m, must have a poop or a raised quarter deck
4. Longitudinal subdivisions of double bottom tanks
5. Bulwarks/guard rails at least 1m high
6. Absorbed water must be taken into account in timber weight calculations
7. Walkway provided near the centreline between fore and aft workings areas with lifelines or rails either side.
8. Transverse lashings spaced no more than 3m apart attached to the sheer strake or deck stringer.

Question 7

How is the freshwater freeboard calculated?

Answer 7

Summer freeboard - (Displacement / 4 x TPC)

Question 8

What is the vessel freeboard?

Answer 8

The vertical distance amidships from the upper edge of the deck line marked on the side of the ship to the surface of the water.

Question 9

What are the different freeboard marks?

Answer 9

1. Summer
2. Winter
3. Winter North Atlantic
4. Tropical
5. Freshwater

Question 10

What is the minimum freeboard?

Answer 10

50mm

Question 11

How are the tropical and winter freeboards calculated?

Answer 11

Tropical freeboard = summer freeboard - 1/48th of summer draft

Winter freeboard = summer freeboard + 1/48th of summer draft

Question 12

What information must be supplied to the Master about their vessels stability?

Answer 12

1. Ship particulars including name, official number, port of registry, GT and NT, dimensions, displacement, deadweight and summer draft
2. Profile view and plan views showing vessel spaces relative to the centreline
3. Capacity and LCG/VCG of every compartment available for cargo, fuel, stores, FW and ballast
4. VCG of vehicle spaces based on VCG of vehicles, not the centre of the space
5. Estimated total weight and VCG/LCG of passengers, crew and their effects
6. Estimated weight and centre of gravity of max deck cargo the ship is expected to carry including water trapping and absorption.
7. Load line diagram
8. TPC and deadweight for drafts between deepest and lightship draft
9. Hydrostatic particulars including GM and trimming moments for a range of drafts
10. FSE examples
11. Cross curves of stability
12. Profile diagram for lightship, ballast and loaded condition @ summer loadline including GM, GZ relative to intact stability criteria
13. Inclining test report