The Merchant Shipping (Additional Safety Measures for Bulk Carriers) (Amendment) Regulations 2004

Regulation 2(5)

SCHEDULE NEW REGULATIONS

“Water level detectors in cargo holds

12A.— (1) A water level detector shall be fitted in the aft end of each cargo hold of a bulk carrier.

(2) Subject to paragraphs (3), (4) and (6), a water level detector referred to in paragraph (1) shall give both an audible and a visual alarm on each occasion the water level above the inner bottom of the cargo hold reaches—

(a) a height of 0.5 metres; and

(b) whichever is the lower of either—

(i) the height of a point which is not less than 15% of the depth of the cargo hold, or

(ii) a height of two metres.

(3) Paragraph (4) applies to a bulk carrier in respect of which there is in force an exemption from the provisions of regulation 6(2) which has been granted pursuant to regulation 14.

(4) A cargo hold in a bulk carrier referred to in paragraph (3) need not be fitted with a water level detector which gives both an audible and visual alarm in the circumstances referred to in paragraph (2).

(5) The visual alarm referred to in paragraph (2) shall clearly indicate which of the two water levels referred to in that paragraph has been detected.

(6) A device which overrides an alarm referred to in paragraph (2) may be installed in respect of a cargo hold which is used for water ballast.

Water level detectors in ballast tanks

12B.— (1) A water level detector shall be fitted in each forward ballast tank of a bulk carrier.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), a water level detector referred to in paragraph (1) shall give both an audible and a visual alarm when the liquid in the forward ballast tank reaches a level not exceeding 10% of the capacity of the tank.

(3) A device which overrides an alarm referred to in paragraph (2) may be installed and activated when the forward ballast tank is in use.

(4) In this regulation, “forward ballast tank” means a ballast tank which is forward of a collision bulkhead which has been fitted in accordance with regulation 7 of the Merchant Shipping (Cargo Ship Construction) Regulations 1997(1).

Water level detectors in dry or void spaces

12C.— (1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (4), a water level detector shall be fitted in each dry or void space of a bulk carrier any part of which extends forward of the foremost cargo hold of that bulk carrier.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to a dry or void space which is a chain cable locker.

(3) A water level detector referred to in paragraph (1) shall give both an audible and a visual alarm when the water level reaches a level of 0.1 metres above the deck.

(4) A dry or void space to which this regulation applies need not be fitted with a water level detector where the enclosed space has a volume which does not exceed 0.1% of the maximum displacement volume of the bulk carrier in question.

Provisions supplemental to regulations 12A, 12B and 12C

12D.— (1) The audible and visual alarm referred to in regulations 12A(2), 12B(2) and 12C(3) shall be located in the navigation bridge of the bulk carrier in question.

(2) A bulk carrier constructed before 1st July 2004 shall comply with the requirements of regulations 12A, 12B and 12C not later than the date of whichever of the renewal, the intermediate or the annual survey of the bulk carrier occurs first after 1st October 2004.

Pumping systems

12E.— (1) Subject to paragraph (2), this regulation applies to the equipment in a bulk carrier required for draining and pumping—

(a) every forward ballast tank; and

(b) every bilge of a dry space any part of which is forward of the foremost cargo hold,

of that bulk carrier.

(2) This regulation does not apply in the case of—

(a) an enclosed space the volume of which does not exceed 0.1% of the maximum displacement volume of the bulk carrier in question;

(b) a chain cable locker on that bulk carrier.

(3) It shall be possible for a person to bring the equipment referred to in paragraph (1) into operation from an enclosed space the location of which is accessible from—

(a) the navigation bridge; or

(b) the propulsion machinery control position,

of the bulk carrier in question without having to cross an exposed freeboard deck or an exposed superstructure deck.

(4) Where a pipe which serves—

(a) a forward ballast tank; or

(b) a bilge described in paragraph (1)(b),

pierces a collision bulkhead on a bulk carrier, the valves fitted at that collision bulkhead may be remotely operated by an actuator instead of being operated in accordance with regulation 7(3) of the Merchant Shipping (Cargo Ship Construction) Regulations 1997.

(5) An actuator referred to in paragraph (4) shall be controlled from an enclosed space the location of which is accessible from—

(a) the navigation bridge; or

(b) the propulsion machinery control position,

of the bulk carrier in question without having to cross an exposed freeboard deck or an exposed superstructure deck.

(6) A bulk carrier constructed before 1st July 2004 shall comply with the requirements of this regulation by whichever is the earlier of—

(a) the date of the first intermediate or renewal survey of the bulk carrier after 1st October 2004; or

(b) 1st July 2007.

(7) In this regulation, “forward ballast tank” has the same meaning as it has in regulation 12B.”.

(1)

S.I. 1997/1509, to which there are no relevant amendments.