SOLAS Chapter XII Additional Safety Measures for Bulk Carriers (1 hours)

 explains the regulations provided as Additional Safety Measures for Bulk Carriers in Chapter XII of the SOLAS convention which apply to bulk carriers of 150m in length and upwards, carrying high density dry bulk cargoes, including:

- damage stability and flotation,

- structure of bulkheads and double bottoms,

- overall longitudinal strength in the flooded state,

- strength and flooding requirements for carrying cargoes with densities of 1,000 kg/m³ or greater

- the bulkhead strength requirements for carrying cargoes of 1,780 kg/m³ or greater

- hold loading,

- cargo density declarations,

- provision of a loading instrument

- hold, ballast and dry space water ingress alarms

- availability of pumping systems

- restrictions from sailing with any hold empty

- the imposition of restrictions on loading higher density cargoes and homogenous loading in adjacent holds, including the endorsement of loading information and marking of the ship

 describes that the regulations states that all new bulk carriers 150 metres or more in length (built after 1 July 1999) carrying cargoes with a density of 1,000 kg/m3 and above should have sufficient strength to withstand flooding of any one cargo hold, taking into account dynamic effects resulting from presence of water in the hold and taking into account the recommendations adopted by IMO

 explains that the regulations states for existing ships (built before 1 July 1999) carrying bulk cargoes with a density of 1,780 kg/m3 and above, the transverse watertight bulkhead between the two foremost cargo holds and the double bottom of the foremost cargo hold should have sufficient strength to withstand flooding and the related dynamic effects in the foremost cargo hold.

 explains that Cargoes with a density of 1,780 kg/m3 and above (heavy cargoes) include iron ore, pig iron, steel, bauxite and cement, Lighter cargoes, but with a density of more than 1,000 kg/m3, include grains such as wheat and rice, and timber

 explains that as per the research carried out by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) at the request of IMO it was found that if a ship is flooded in the forward hold, the bulkhead between the two foremost holds may not be able to withstand the pressure that results from the sloshing mixture of cargo and water, especially if the ship is loaded in alternate holds with high density cargoes (such as iron ore) and if the bulkhead between one hold and the next collapses, progressive flooding could rapidly occur throughout the length of the ship and the vessel would sink in a matter of minutes.

 states that the most vulnerable areas of the bulk carrier are the bulkhead between numbers one and two holds at the forward end of the vessel and the double bottom of the ship at this location

 explains that no bulk carrier over ten years old can carry a high density bulk cargo unless she has undergone either a periodical survey or a survey of her cargo holds to an equivalent extent, as required by regulation XII/7

 explains that as per SOLAS Regulation XII/8 - Documentation of Compliance, the cargo loading manual, required by SOLAS Regulation VI-7.2 should be endorsed by the certifying authority to indicate which of the SOLAS regulations are complied with

 states that Under Chapter XII, surveyors can take into account restrictions on the cargo carried in considering the need for, and the extent of, strengthening of the transverse watertight bulkhead or double bottom and if the restrictions on cargoes are imposed, then as per SOLAS Regulation XII/8.3 ,the bulk carrier shall be permanently marked on the side shell at midships, port and starboard, with a solid equilateral triangle having sides of 500 mm and its apex 300 mm below the deck line, and painted a contrasting colour to that of the hull.

 explains that such operating restrictions is only imposed for solid bulk cargoes having a density of 1,780 kg/m3 and above, and this applies at all times when solid bulk cargoes having a density of 1,780 kg/m3 and above are carried

 states that the permanently marking of a solid triangle on its side shell is required when a ship's loading booklet restricts the ship to carry solid bulk cargoes having a density of less than 1,780 kg/m3, a triangle mark is not required, provided that all reference to carriage of solid bulk cargoes having a density of 1,780 kg/m3 and above are removed from the loading booklet.

 states that in the above case the loading booklet is to clearly specify that the ship is prohibited from carrying solid bulk cargoes having a density of 1,780 kg/m3 and above

 states that the permanently marking of a solid triangle on its side shell is also required when a ship's deadweight is restricted, but the load line assignment permits deeper draughts, and operating restrictions in the form of draught or deadweight limits are imposed on the ship to obtain compliance with the requirements and the loading booklet is to clearly specify the operating restrictions

 explains that if the ship's load line and loading booklet are revised to limit the ship's draught at all times, operating restrictions and the triangle marks are not required

 states that the permanently marking of a solid triangle on its side shell is also required where restrictions, other

than a general restriction to homogeneous loading, are imposed on the distribution of cargo in the two foremost cargo holds as a condition of compliance and the loading booklet is to clearly specify the applicable operating restrictions

 states that the permanently marking of a solid triangle on its side shell is not required where restrictions are imposed on the maximum mass of packaged cargoes to be carried in the foremost cargo hold as a condition of compliance with the Standards for the evaluation of allowable hold loading of the foremost cargo hold, as contained in annex 2 to 1997 SOLAS Conference resolution 4 but the loading booklet is to clearly state these limits

 states that the permanently marking of a solid triangle on its side shell is also required where a homogeneous distribution of cargo in the two foremost cargo holds is required as a condition of compliance and the loading booklet is to clearly specify the applicable operating restrictions

 explains the Damage Stability Requirements as per SOLAS Regulation XII/4

 explains the structural requirements as per SOLAS Regulations XII/5 and 6

 explains the Density declaration and verification requirements as per SOLAS Regulation XII/10

 explains the loading instrument requirements as per SOLAS Regulation XII/11

 explains the Hold, ballast and dry space water ingress alarms requirements as per SOLAS regulation XII/12

 explains the Availability of pumping systems requirements as per SOLAS Regulation XII/13

 explains the Restrictions from sailing with any hold empty as per SOLAS Regulation XII/14