Loadlines and Seaworthiness

Question 1

What is a load line?

Answer 1

A visual representation that the vessel is operating within acceptable parameters and is not overloaded

Question 2

Keeping within loadline and intact stability criteria are two important aspects of maintaining the ……………………. of the vessel

Answer 2

Seaworthiness

Question 3

How to obtain a load line certificate?

Answer 3

satisfying a surveyor that the ship has been properly constructed and is maintained to ensure it can maintain a level of watertight integrity even in the event of an emergency situation.

Question 4

What are the load line zones?

Answer 4

Tropical Fresh
Fresh
Tropical
Summer
Winter
Winter North Atlantic

Question 5

Loadlines zones distances between?

Answer 5

S – Summer :- It is the basic freeboard line at the same level as the Plimsol Line. Other load lines are marked based on this Summer freeboard line.

T – Tropical :- It is 1/48th of summer draft marked above the Summer load line.

W – Winter :- It is 1/48th of summer draft marked below the Summer load line.

WNA – Winter North Atlantic :- It is marked 50mm below the Winter load line. It applies to voyages in North Atlantic ( above 36 degrees of latitude) during winter months.

F – Fresh Water :- It is the summer fresh water load line. The distance between S and F is the Fresh Water Allowance (FWA).

TF – Tropical Fresh Water :- It is the fresh water load line in Tropical. It is marked above the T at an amount equal to FWA.

Question 6

There are different load line zones to reflect the difference in temperature and salinity of water around the world, why?

Answer 6

Warmer water provides less buoyancy than colder water as it is less dense and fresh water is less dense than seawater.

Question 7

Where is the load line situated

Answer 7

The loadline is positioned at midships on each side of the ship and indicates the draft to which a ship may be legally loaded for the geogrpahical area and time of the year it is operating in

Question 8

UK Load line certificate, who does this apply to?

Answer 8

vessels less than 24 m in length or under 150 gt as the international load line regulations do not apply to these vessels

Question 9

What vessels do the International loadline regulations apply to?

Answer 9

Vessels over 150gt or 24 m in length

Question 10

How long is the load line certificate valid for?

Answer 10

5 years

Question 11

What is the difference between the anual and intermediate survey

Answer 11

Anual survey is a general survey

Intermediate survey look at specific areas

Question 12

What is a periodical survey?

Answer 12

A complete examination of every item realated to the certificate

Question 13

What are the different types of survey related to the load line certificate?

Answer 13

Initial survey- complete examination
Annual survey- general inspection
Periodical survey between years 2 and 3 - complete examination
Renewal survey.

Because of the harmonised system of survey of being able to complete an annual +_ 3months, the periodical survey can be be completed with the annuals

Question 14

In port and load line survey can’t be completed, what should you do

Answer 14

Inform the DPA

Inform the flag state and apply for an extension, on the back of the certificate there is a section for an extension

Question 15

Where should the loadline be displayed

Answer 15

It is a requirement that the loadline certificate is fixed to a bulkhead on display

Question 16

What are conditions of assignment

Answer 16

During an initial survey the freeboard will be assigned to the vessel and different vessel types such as tankers have less openning so may have a lower freeboard and this will be marked on the back of the certificate as a condition of assignment

Question 17

What are the types of freeboard that can be issued to the vessel

Answer 17

Type A- tankers
Type B - any vessel not a tanker
Type B with reduced freeboard - 
Type B with increased freeboard
Type B with timber freeboard- timber gives a virtual increase in reserve buoyancy

Question 18

What are the hazards with timber deck cargo

Answer 18

Cargo shift
Ice accretion
Absorbing water in bad weather which leads to a decrease in stability

There should be a quick release wire to jetison the cargo

Question 19

Load line survey due, what preperations will you make?

Answer 19

Check the current certificate and conditions of assignment on the back

The purpose of the survey may be stated and checked before hand

Check any external openning of the vessel i.e. seals weathertight doors, bulkwalks, watertight doors, scuppers, sea chests, sea suctions, freeing ports, vents

Check the vessel loading data, cargo securing manual and stability information booklet

Question 20

Contents of cargo securing manual

Answer 20

List and description of cargo securing equipment
Calculations of lashing equipment required for cirtain wieght cargos

Recommended guidance
for us of

Question 21

Contents of vessel stability booklet

Answer 21

SOLAS chap 2
Intact stbility code

In the working language of the vessel

Contains sufficient data to enable the Master to opperate the ship in compliance with the intact stability code.

General description of the vessel

Instructions how to use the booklet

General arrangement plan showing water tight compartments

Hydrostatic curves or tables and cross curves of stability

Capacity plan

Tank sounding tables

Load restrictions i.e. max KG or min GM curve or table

Standard operating conditions and examples for developing other operating conditions

brief description of stability calculations

general precautions to prevent internal flooding

Inclination test report

Question 22

What items are checked as part of the loadline survey

Answer 22

Any way water can get into the vessel checked

Any way to get water out of the vessel checked

Question 23

Guard rail broken before you sail, what do you do

Answer 23

Any damage and the loadline certificate is invalid,
Inform DPA and flag state, and classification society.

Surveyor needs to come down to the vessel to check any temporary repairs.
A temporary disponsation can be issued if surveyor seems fit. If not, proper repairs would need to be carried out before sailing

Question 24

When is summer and wintet according to loadline

Answer 24

16 October to 15th april is winter