Merchant Shipping (Safety and Load Line Conventions) Act 1932

PART V Load Lines for Steamers carrying Timber Deck Cargoes.

Definitions.

• Timber Deck Cargo.—The term " timber deck cargo " means a cargo of timber carried on an uncovered part of a freeboard or superstructure deck. The term does not include wood pulp or similar cargo.

• Timber Load Line.—A timber load line is a special load fine to be used only when the ship is carrying a timber deck cargo in compliance with the following conditions and regulations:—

RULE LXXVIII Marks on the Ship's Sides.

• Timber Load Lines.—The fines which indicate the maximum timber load fines in different circumstances and at different seasons are to be horizontal fines, 9 inches in length and 1 inch in breadth, which extend from, and are at right angles to, a vertical line marked 21 inches abaft the centre of the disc (see Figure 4). They are to be marked and verified similarly to the ordinary load lines (see Rules V to VII).

• The Summer Timber Load Line is indicated by the upper edge of a line marked LS.

• The Winter Timber Load Line is indicated by the upper edge of a line marked LW.

• The Winter North Atlantic Timber Load Line is indicated by the upper edge of a line marked LWNA.

• The Tropical Timber Load Line is indicated by the upper edge of a line marked LT.

• The Fresh Water Timber Load Line in Summer is indicated by the upper edge of a line marked LF. The difference between the Fresh Water Timber load line in Summer and the Summer Timber load line is the allowance to be made for loading in fresh water at the other Timber load lines. The Fresh Water Timber load line in the Tropical Zone is indicated by the upper edge of a line marked LTF.(1)

Supplementary Conditions of Assignment and Regulations for Deeper Loading.

RULE LXXIX Construction of Ship.

The structure of the ship is to be of sufficient strength for the deeper draught allowed and for the weight of the deck cargo.

RULE LXXX Superstructures.

The ship is to have a forecastle of at least standard height and at least 7 per cent. of the length of the ship, and, in addition, a poop, or a raised quarter deck with a strong steel hood or deck house fitted aft.

RULE LXXXI Machinery Casings.

Machinery casings on the freeboard deck are to be protected by a superstructure of at least standard height, unless the machinery casings are of sufficient strength and height to permit of the carriage of timber alongside.

RULE LXXXII Double Bottom Tanks.

Double bottom tanks where fitted within the midship half length of the ship are to have adequate longitudinal subdivision.

RULE LXXXIII Bulwarks.

The ship must be fitted either with permanent bulwarks at least 3 feet 3 inches high, specially stiffened on the upper edge and supported by strong bulwark stays attached to the deck in the way of the beams and provided with necessary freeing ports, or with efficient rails of the same height as the above and of specially strong construction.

RULE LXXXIV Deck Openings covered by Timber Deck Cargo.

Openings to spaces below the freeboard deck are to be securely closed and battened down. Ah fittings, such as hatchway beams, fore-and-afters, and covers, are to be in place. Where hold ventilation is needed, the ventilators are to be efficiently protected.

RULE LXXXV Stowage.

The wells on the freeboard deck are to be filled with timber stowed as solidly as possible, to at least the standard height of a bridge.

On a ship within a seasonal winter zone in winter, the height of the deck cargo above the freeboard deck is not to exceed one-third of the extreme breadth of the ship.

All timber deck cargo is to be compactly stowed, lashed and secured, it must not interfere in any way with the navigation and necessary work of the ship or with the provision of a safe margin of stability at all stages of the voyage, regard being given to additions of Weight, such as those due to absorption of water and to losses of weight such as those due to consumption of fuel and stores.

RULE LXXXVI Protection of Crew, Access to Machinery Space, &C.

Safe and satisfactory access to the quarters of the crew, to the machinery space and to all other parts used in the necessary work of the ship, is to be available at all times. Deck cargo in way of openings which give access to such parts is to be so stowed that the openings can be properly closed and secured against the admission of water. Efficient protection for the crew in the form of guard rails or life lines, spaced not more than 12 inches apart vertically, is to be provided on each side of the deck cargo to a height of at least 4 feet above the cargo. The cargo is to be made sufficiently level for gangway purposes.

RULE LXXXVII Steering Arrangements.

Steering arrangements are to be effectively protected from damage by cargo, and, as far as practicable are to be accessible. Efficient provision is to be made for steering in the event of a breakdown in the main steering arrangements.

RULE LXXXVIII Uprights.

Uprights when required by the nature of the timber are to be of adequate strength and may be of wood or metal; the spacing is to be suitable for the length and character of timber carried, but is not to exceed 10 feet. Strong angles or metal sockets efficiently secured to the stringer plate or equally efficient means are to be provided for securing the uprights.

RULE LXXXIX Lashings.

Timber deck cargo is to be efficiently secured throughout its length by independent overall lashings spaced not more than 10 feet apart.

Eye plates for these lashings are to be riveted to the sheer-strake at intervals of not more than 10 feet, the distance from an end bulkhead of a superstructure to the first eye plate being not more than 6 feet 6 inches. Additional eye plates may be fitted on the stringer plate.

Overall lashings are to be in good condition and are to be not less than ¾ inch close link chain or flexible wire rope of equivalent strength, fitted with sliphooks and stretching screws, which are to be accessible at all times. Wire rope lashings are to have a short length of long link chain to permit the length of lashings to be regulated.

When timber is in lengths less than 12 feet, the spacing of the lashings is to be reduced to suit the length of timber or other suitable provision made.

When the spacing of the lashings is 5 feet or less, the size of the lashing may be reduced, but not less than £ inch chain or equivalent wire rope is to be used.

All fittings required for securing the lashings are to be of strength corresponding to the strength of the lashings.

On superstructure decks, uprights, where fitted, are to be about 10 feet apart and are to be secured by athwartship lashings of ample strength.

RULE XC Plans.

Plans showing the fittings and arrangements for stowing and securing timber deck cargoes in compliance with the foregoing conditions and regulations are to be submitted to the Assigning Authority.

Freeboard.

RULE XCI Computation of Freeboard.

Where the Assigning Authority is satisfied that the ship is suitable and that the conditions and arrangements are at least equal to the foregoing requirements for the carriage of timber deck cargo, the Summer freeboards computed in accordance with the Rules and Tables in Part III may be modified to give special timber freeboards, by substituting the following percentages for those in Rule LIII :—

TOTAL Effective Length of Superstructures.

	0	.1L	.2L	.3L	.4L	.5L	.6L	.7L	.8L	.9 L	1.0 L
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%
All types	20	30.75	41.5	52.25	63	69.25	75.5	81.5	87.5	93.75	100

The Winter Timber freeboard is to be obtained by adding to the Summer Timber freeboard one-third of an inch per foot of the moulded Summer Timber draught.

The Winter North Atlantic Timber freeboards are the Winter North Atlantic freeboards prescribed in Rule LXV.

The Tropical Timber freeboard is to be obtained by deducting from the Summer Timber freeboard one-quarter of an inch per foot of the moulded Summer Timber draught.

(1)

Where seagoing steamers navigate a river or inland water, deeper loading is permitted corresponding to the weight of fuel, &c, required for consumption between the point of departure and the open sea.