BULK CARRIER SAFEGUARDS

Code No: 746

Video Running Time: 16 minutes

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This video training package is aimed at providing the master and senior officers of a bulk carrier and terminal operators with details of the measures they should take while loading and discharging bulk cargo, to safeguard the structural integrity of the ship.

The safety of bulk carriers has been a priority at the IMO for over ten years, during which time over 100 vessels have been lost at sea. The causes of many of these losses have been identified and one of the major contributory causes is faulty loading procedure, both by ships and by the terminals. The industry and the regulatory bodies have joined forces to increase the safety of these workhorses of the shipping industry.

New ports have high capacity loading equipment and the ships are not capable of de-ballasting at matching rates. A mismatch can occur which stresses the vessel. The guidelines for bulkers now also need to ensure that the fore deck and hatchways are not subjected to damage which could cause flooding of the foremost hold and, where such flooding takes place, the adjacent bulkheads must not collapse. Arrangements also need to be in place to warn the bridge watch of any such flooding.

The package highlights the causes of bulk carrier losses and stresses the importance of:

• Use of loading instruments and the preparation of loading plans in consultation with the loading terminal
• Corrosion prevention and coating of holds
• Importance of regular inspections and enhanced surveys
• Guidelines for strengthening of bulk heads and welds
• Flooding alarms
• Flooding alarms Fitting of 'black boxes ' -voyage data recorders

This package supports STCW Code Table A-II/1.