Surveys Flashcards
What is the main role or purpose of a classification society?
Classification societies exist to put in place Technical standards for
Construction
Equipping
Maintaining of vessels
Materials used
Machinery
Repairs
Class Society Rules are applied to the construction and ongoing survey of vessels in operation
What is IACS
International Association of Classification Societies
Dedicated to safe ships and clean seas, IACS makes a unique contribution to maritime safety and regulation through technical support, compliance verification and research and development.
IACS was formed in 1968 to promote high standards in safety, pollution prevention and to liaison closely with the shipping industry and organisations.
What convention can IACS trace its origins to?
International Load Line Convention
The convention recommended collaboration between class societies to secure “as much uniformity as possible in the applicaiton of the standards of strength upon which freeboard is based…”
What is ‘Class’
Class is assigned to a vessel upon completion of satisfactory surveys, held to verify that the vessel complies with the relevant rules of the society.
When would ‘Class’ be assigned?
On completion of new build - satisfactory surveys
On completion of survey of existing ship, for ships transferring class between members
On completion of class survey of an existing ship
What is a standard Survey Routine?
New Certificate …. 1st Annual … 2nd Annual ….. Intermediate … 3rd Annual … 4th Annual … Renewal
New , Intermediate & Renewal are generally more thorough, with annual only being more intense if you seem to be not upholding the ISM code or if your SMS is not working.
3 month buffer each side of surveys
Intermediate to be carried out either the 2nd or 3rd Anniversary ( + - 3 months)
LOADLINE RULES
What are their purpose?
To ensure adequate reserve buoyancy
Adequate Strength
Watertight integrity
Crew Safety
6 Basic Requirements that must be met before a loadline can be assigned?
The 6 basic conditions which have to be met before a vessel can be assigned a load line are:
1. The master must be provided with adequate information to load his vessel and calculate the various stresses imposed on the vessel
- The master must be provided with adequate information to calculate the vessel’s stability at all times
- The vessel must be watertight from the keel to the freeboard deck
- The vessel must be weather-tight from the freeboard deck up to a height of 4.5m above it
- There must be adequate protection for the crew provided to access all parts of the vessel safely (guardrails, bulwarks, catwalks)
- There must be adequate freeing arrangements to permit the vessel to shed water from the freeboard deck
Note: A ship to which the Convention applies must comply with the requirements for that particular ship and cannot rely on the data for a sister ship. The “Conditions of Assignment of Load Line” issued by the Class/Flag to the vessel will give full detail of all the conditions based on which the ILLC was issued
What is the difference between Type ‘A’ & Type ‘B’ vessels?
Type A: Small watertight deck openings
Low permeability of loaded cargo spaces
High degree of subdivision
Designed to carry liquid in bulk
Has a high integrity of the exposed deck with only small access openings to cargo compartments, closed by watertight gasketed covers of steel or equivalent material; and
Type B: Any other vessel complying with the rules
Important steps to take when preparing for a loadline survey…
- Access points at enclosed structures should be checked. All movable parts (clamps, dogs etc.) should be well greased. Gaskets and watertight packings should be checked for cracks and repaired accordingly. Rubber packings are integral in maintaining the watertight integrity of an enclosed structure.
- Check Ventilators and Air pipes: Ventilators and air pipes (openings) should be provided with closing mechanisms. Check the installation if already provided and repair any damages. Often, heavy rusting eats up most of the flaps in which case they should be replaced.
- Keep Deck Clear: Portable beams must be checked for efficiency and securing. Also, a habit must be inculcated of squaring up of used equipment. It reflects very well on the ship to have a deck free from unnecessary tools lying about.
- Check Hatches: Hatches should be checked for being weather tight. Check booby hatches too for the same. The butterfly screw should be checked for easy movement.
- Check for Watertightness: Check manholes, scuppers and other similar parts enabling water flow for watertightness. The manholes must be screwed tight using the T wrench as far as possible. Scuppers often get clogged over time and restrict the outlet of water, in which case, they should be cleaned. Also, plugs of the exact dimensions as the outlet should be used for closing.
- Ensure Proper Working of Non-Return Valves: The non-return valves must be checked for working efficiency with respect to overboard discharge. Most authorities are rather stern when it comes to this.
- Keep Machinery Spaces Clean: All machinery space opening on deck must be thoroughly inspected. Keep the general appearance clean at these sections for they generally have patches of oil and other dirt.
- Check Ports For Watertight Integrity: All ports under the freeboard deck must be strictly checked for their watertight integrity. Also, any and every freeing port should be moving freely. Inspect that shutters, hinges, pins are not corroding and are well lubricated and have free movement.
- Repair Fractures: Fractures in guardrails and bulwarks must be repaired. In fact, irrespective of an impending survey, these areas ought to be in mint condition since they mean so much to personnel safety.
- All Lines Should Be Ready For Inspection: The deck line, load line mark, load line, draught marks, important signages etc. should be de rusted and painted for inspection. The required job, when carried out, must be done under apt supervision and with full safety gear in play, as this job is most likely to involve being hung by the side of the ship. Keep necessary LSA on standby for any probable necessity that may arise.
- All Safety Equipment Must Be In Order: All safety measures must be checked and then checked again! Nothing screams of efficiency more than a solid safety culture in place. Check all safety equipments, rig safety lines in place and overhaul any aspect of the safety setup as necessary.
- Check Side Scuttles: Side scuttles below the freeboard deck and deadlights must be checked for watertight integrity. The rubber packing around the deadlights is of paramount importance and must be thoroughly inspected for cracks and fissures.
- All Records Must Be Ready For Inspection: The load line certificate and relevant records should be kept ready for inspection on the final day. The stability information should also be kept ready to show adherence to the rules of loading/discharging and ballasting/deballasting. The Chief Mate should make sure that all appropriate keys are available and working in the event that the Surveyor asks to inspect any area. A reasonable manpower should be available at all times for a variety of jobs that may ensue.
Handy Way of Remembering Loadline Survey Particulars
Surveyor walks onboard
- First thing he sees, the draught marks are well painted and legible. Are they correct as per Ladling Certificate
- Loadline is assigned based on the construction of the ship. Location of all openings, vents, air pipes, thus any change has been made from last survey carried out?
Verification no changes have been made - Statutory certificates valid at the time of survey
- Stability booklet made available
- Loading Manual Approved
Is the loading/stability information in a language understood by the crew - (Walks outside) Vessel deck in satisfactory condition without excessive rust. NDT carried out at 15 year survey
- All weathertight doors in satisfactory condition. Seals etc
- Ventilators & Coamings in good condition
- Automatic closing doors operational, free from hydraulic leaks etc
- Flame screens on fuel oil air pipes
- Cargo ports below freeboard deck satisfactory
- Scuppers, overboard discharge, deadlights, Non return valves, Side scuttles
- Freeing ports including shutter bars
- Pumping arrangements in cargo spaces satisfactory
- Arrangements for protection of crew & access to crews quarters. Gangways, passageways, walkways are found in satisfactory condition
- Special arrangements for timber carriers & tankers etc may include lifelines, access to lashings, guard rails, safe access to tanker bow etc
- Roro vessels, loading ramp side doors etc
