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International Convention on Load Lines, 1966

The Contracting Governments,

DESIRING to establish uniform principles and rules with respect to the limits to which ships on international voyages may be loaded having regard to the need for safeguarding life and property at sea;

CONSIDERING that this end may best be achieved by conclusion of a

Convention;

HAVE AGREED as follows:

Article 1. General Obligation under the Convention

(1) The Contracting Governments undertake to give effect to the provisions of the present Convention and the Annexes hereto, which shall constitute an integral part of the present Convention. Every reference to the present Convention constitutes at the same time a reference to the Annexes.

(2) The Contracting Governments shall undertake all measures which may be necessary to give effect to the present Convention.

Article 2. Definitions

For the purpose of the present Convention, unless expressly provided otherwise:

(1) "Regulations" means the Regulations annexed to the present Convention.

(2) "Administration" means the Government of the State whose flag the ship is flying.

(3) "Approved" means approved by the Administration.

(4) "International voyage" means a sea voyage from a country to which the present Convention applies to a port outside such country, or conversely. For this purpose, every territory for the international relations of which a Contracting Government is responsible or for which the United Nations are the administering authority is regarded as a separate country.

(5) A "fishing vessel" is a ship used for catching fish, whales, seals, walrus or other living resources of the sea.

(6) "New ship" means a ship the keel of which is laid, or which is at a similar stage of construction, on or after the date of coming into force of the present Convention for each Contracting Government.

(7) "Existing ship" means a ship which is not a new ship.

(8) "Length" means 96 per cent of the total length on a waterline at 85 per cent of the least moulded depth measured from the top of the keel, or the length from the fore side of the stem to the axis of the rudder stock on that waterline, if that be greater. In ships designed with a rake of keel the waterline on which this length is measured shall be parallel to the designed waterline.

Article 3. General Provisions

(1) No ship to which the present Convention applies shall proceed to sea on an international voyage after the date on which the present Convention comes into force unless it has been surveyed, marked and provided with an International Load Line Certificate (1966) or, where appropriate, an International Load Line Exemption Certificate in accordance with the provisions of the present Convention.

(2) Nothing in this Convention shall prevent an Administration from assigning a greater freeboard than the minimum freeboard determined in accordance with Annex I.

Article 4. Application

(1) The present Convention shall apply to:

(a) ships registered in countries the Governments of which are Contracting Governments;

(b) ships registered in territories to which the present Convention is extended under Article 32; and

(c) unregistered ships flying the flag of a State, the Government of which is a Contracting Government.

(2) The present Convention shall apply to ships engaged on international voyages.

(3) The Regulations contained in Annex I are specifically applicable to new ships.

(4) Existing ships which do not fully comply with the requirements of the Regulations contained in Annex I or any part thereof shall meet at least such lesser related requirements as the Administration applied to ships on international voyages prior to the coming into force of the present Convention; in no case shall such ships be

required to increase their freeboards. In order to take advantage of any reduction in freeboard from that previously assigned, existing ships shall comply with all the requirements of the present Convention.

(5) The Regulations contained in Annex II are applicable to new and existing ships to which the present Convention applies.

Article 5. Exceptions

(1) The present Convention shall not apply to:

(a) ships of war;

(b) new ships of less than 24 metres (79 feet) in length;

(e) existing ships of less than 150 gross tonnage;

(d) pleasure yachts not engaged in trade;

(e) fishing vessels.

(2) Nothing herein shall apply to ships solely navigating:

(a) the Great Lakes of North America and the River St. Lawrence as far east, as a rhumb line drawn from Cap des Rosiers to West Point, Anticosti Island, and, on the north side of Anticosti Island, the meridian of longitude 63¼ W;

(b) the Caspian Sea;

(c) the Plate, Parana and Uruguay Rivers as far east as a rhumb line drawn between Punta Norte, Argentina, and Punta del Este, Uruguay.

Article 6. Exemptions

(1) Ships when engaged on international voyages between the near neighbouring ports of two or more States may be exempted by the Administration from the provisions of the present Convention, so long as they shall remain engaged on such voyages, if the Governments of the States in which such ports are situated shall be satisfied that the sheltered nature or conditions of such voyages between such ports make it unreasonable or impracticable to apply the provisions of the present Convention to ships engaged on such voyages.

(2) The Administration may exempt any ship which embodies features of a novel kind from any of the provisions of this Convention the application of which might seriously impede research into the development of such features and their incorporation in ships engaged on international voyages. Any such ship shall, however, comply with safety requirements, which, in the opinion of that Administration, are adequate for the service for which it is intended and are such as to ensure the overall safety of the ship and which are acceptable to the Governments of the States to be visited by the ship.

(3) The Administration which allows any exemption under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Article shall communicate to the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (hereinafter called the Organization) particulars of the same and reasons therefore which the Organization shall circulate to the Contracting Governments for their information.

(4) A ship which is not normally engaged on international voyages but which, in exceptional circumstances, is required to undertake a single international voyage may be exempted by the Administration from any of the requirements of the present Convention, provided that it complies with safety requirements which, in the opinion of that Administration, are adequate for the voyage which is to be undertaken by the ship.

Article 7. Force Majeure

(1) A ship which is not subject to the provisions of the present Convention at the time of its departure on any voyage shall not become subject to such provisions on account of any deviation from its intended voyage due to stress of weather or any other cause of force majeure.

(2) In applying the provisions of the present Convention, the Contracting Governments shall give due consideration to any deviation or delay caused to any ship owing to stress of weather or any other cause of force majeure.

Article 8. Equivalents

(1) The Administration may allow any fitting, material, appliance or apparatus to be fitted, or any other provision to be made in a ship, other than that required by the present Convention, if it is satisfied by trial thereof or otherwise that such fitting, material, appliance or apparatus, or provision, is at least as effective as that required by the Convention.

(2) The Administration which allows a fitting, material, appliance or apparatus, or provision, other than that required by the present Convention, shall communicate to the Organization for circulation to the Contracting Governments particulars thereof, together with a report on any trials made.

Article 9. Approvals for Experimental Purposes

(1) Nothing in the present Convention shall prevent an Administration from making specific approvals for experimental purposes in respect of a ship to which the Convention applies.

(2) An Administration which makes any such approval shall communicate to the Organization for circulation to the Contracting Governments particulars thereof.

Article 10. Repairs, Alterations and Modifications

(1) A ship which undergoes repairs, alterations, modifications and outfitting related thereto shall continue to comply with at least the requirements previously applicable to the ship. An existing ship in such a case shall not, as a rule, comply to a lesser extent with the requirements for a new ship than it did before.

(2) Repairs, alterations and modifications of a major character and outfitting related thereto should meet the requirements for a new ship in so far as the Administration deems reasonable and practicable.

Article 11. Zones and Areas

(1) A ship to which the present Convention applies shall comply with the requirements applicable to that ship in the zones and areas described in Annex II.

(2) A port standing on the boundary line between two zones or areas shall be regarded as within the zone or area from or into which the ship arrives or departs.

Article 12. Submersion

(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this Article, the appropriate loadlines on the sides of the ship corresponding to the season of the year and the zone or area in which the ship may be shall not be submerged at any time when the ship puts to sea, during the voyage or on arrival.

(2) When a ship is in fresh water of unit density the appropriate load line may be submerged by the amount of the fresh water allowance shown on the International Load Line Certificate (1966). Where the density is other than unity, an allowance shall be made proportional to the difference between 1.025 and the actual density.

(3) When a ship departs from a port situated on a river or inland waters, deeper loading shall be permitted corresponding to the weight of fuel and all other materials required for consumption between the point of departure and the sea.

Article 13. Survey, Inspection and Marking

The survey, inspection and marking of ships, as regards the enforcement of the provisions of the present Convention and the granting of exemptions therefrom, shall be carried out by officers of the Administration. The Administration may, however, entrust the survey, inspection and marking either to surveyors nominated for the purpose or to organizations recognized by it. In every case the Administration concerned fully guarantees the completeness and efficiency of the survey, inspection and marking.

Article 14. Initial and Periodical Surveys

and Inspections

(1) A ship shall be subjected to the surveys and inspections specified below:

(a) A survey before the ship is put in service, which shall include a complete inspection of its structure and equipment in so far as the ship is covered by the present Convention. This survey shall be such as to ensure that the arrangements, material, and scantlings fully comply with the requirements of the present Convention.

(b) A periodical survey at intervals specified by the Administration, but not exceeding five years, which shall be such as to ensure that the structure, equipment, arrangements, material and scantlings fully comply with the requirements of the present Convention.

(c) A periodical inspection within three months either way of each annual anniversary date of the certificate, to ensure that alterations have not been made to the hull or superstructures which would affect the calculations determining the position of the load line and so as to ensure the maintenance in an effective condition of fittings and appliances for:

(i) protection of openings;

(ii) guard rails;

(iii) freeing ports; and

(iv) means of access to crew's quarters.

(2) The periodical inspections referred to in paragraph (1)(c) of this Article shall be endorsed on the International Load Line Certificate (1966) or on the International Load Line Exemption Certificate issued to a ship exempted under paragraph (2) of Article 6 of the present Convention.

Article 15. Maintenance of Conditions after Survey

After any survey of the ship under Article 14 has been completed, no change shall be made in the structure, equipment, arrangements, material or scantlings covered by the survey, without the sanction of the Administration.

Article 16. Issue of Certificates

(1) An International Load Line Certificate (1966) shall be issued to every ship which has been surveyed and marked in accordance with the present Convention.

(2) An International Load Line Exemption Certificate shall be issued to any ship to which an exemption has been granted under and in accordance with paragraph (2) or (4) of Article 6.

(3) Such certificates shall be issued by the Administration or by any person or organization duly authorized by it. In every ease, the Administration assumes full responsibility for the certificate.

(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of the present Convention, any international load line certificate which is current when the present Convention comes into force in respect of the Government of the State whose flag the ship is flying shall remain valid for two years or until it expires, whichever is earlier. After that time an International Load Line Certificate (1966) shall be required.

Article 17. Issue of Certificate by another Government

(1) A Contracting Government may, at the request of another Contracting Government, cause a ship to be surveyed and, if satisfied that the provisions of the present Convention are complied with, shall issue or authorize the issue of an International Load Line Certificate (1966) to the ship in accordance with the present Convention.

(2) A copy of the certificate, a copy of the survey report used for computing the freeboard, and a copy of the computations shall be transmitted as early as possible to the requesting Government.

(3) A certificate so issued must contain a statement to the effect that it has been issued at the request of the Government of the State whose flag the ship is or will be flying and it shall have the same force and receive the same recognition as a certificate issued under Article 16.

(4) No International Load Line Certificate (1966) shall be issued to a ship which is flying the flag of a State the Government of which is not a Contracting Government.

Article 18. Form of Certificates

(1) The certificates shall be drawn up in the official language or languages of the issuing country. If the language used is neither English nor French, the text shall include a translation into one of these languages.

(2) The form of the certificates shall be that of the models given in Annex III. The arrangement of the printed part of each model certificate shall be exactly reproduced in any certificates issued, and in any certified copies thereof.

Article 19. Duration of Certificates

(1) An International Load Line Certificate (1966) shall be issued for a period specified by the Administration, which shall not exceed five years from the date of issue.

(2) If, after the periodical survey referred to in paragraph (1)(b) of Article 14, a new certificate cannot be issued to the ship before the expiry of the certificate originally issued, the person or organization carrying out the survey may extend the validity of the original certificate for a period which shall not exceed five months. This extension shall be endorsed on the certificate, and shall be granted only where there have been no alterations in the structure, equipment, arrangements, material or scantlings which affect the ship's freeboard.

(3) An International Load Line Certificate (1966) shall be cancelled by the Administration if any of the following circumstances exist:

(a) material alterations have taken place in the hull orsuperstructures of the ship such as would necessitate the assignment of an increased freeboard;

(b) the fittings and appliances mentioned in sub-paragraph (c) of paragraph (1) of Article 14 are not maintained in an effective condition;

(c) the certificate is not endorsed to show that the ship has been inspected as provided in sub-paragraph (c) of paragraph (1) of Article 14;

(d) the structural strength of the ship is lowered to such an extent that the ship is unsafe.

(4) (a) The duration of an International Load Line Exemption Certificate issued by an Administration to a ship exempted under paragraph (2) of Article 6 shall not exceed five years from the date of issue. Such certificate shall be subject to a renewal, endorsement and cancellation procedure similar to that provided for an International Load Line Certificate (1966) under this Article.

(b) The duration of an International Load Line Exemption Certificate issued to a ship exempted under paragraph (4) of Article 6 shall be limited to the single voyage for which it is issued.

(5) A certificate issued to a ship by an Administration shall cease to be valid upon the transfer of such a ship to the flag of another State.

Article 20. Acceptance of Certificates

The certificates issued under the authority of a Contracting Government in accordance with the present Convention shall be accepted by the other Contracting Governments and regarded for all purposes covered by the present Convention as having the same force as certificates issued by them.

Article 21. Control

(1) Ships holding a certificate issued under Article 16 or Article 17 are subject, when in the ports of other Contracting Governments, to control by officers duly authorized by such Governments. Contracting Governments shall ensure that such control is exercised as far as is reasonable and practicable with a view to verifying that there is on board a valid certificate under the present Convention. If there is a valid International Load Line Certificate (1966) on board the ship, such control shall be limited to the purpose of determining that:

(a) the ship is not loaded beyond the limits allowed by the certificate;

(b) the position of the load line of the ship corresponds with the certificate; and

(c) the ship has not been so materially altered in respect of the matters set out in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph (3) of Article 19 that the ship is manifestly unfit to proceed to sea without danger to human life.

If there is a valid International Load Line Exemption Certificate on board, such control shall be limited to the purpose of determining that any conditions stipulated in that certificate are complied with.

(2) If such control is exercised under sub-paragraph (c) of paragraph (1) of this Article, it shall only be exercised in so far as may be necessary to ensure that the ship shall not sail until it can proceed to sea without danger to the passengers or the crew.

(3) In the event of the control provided for in this Article giving rise to intervention of any kind, the officer carrying out the control shall immediately inform in writing the Consul or the diplomatic representative of the State whose flag the ship is flying of this decision and of all the circumstances in which intervention was deemed to be necessary.

Article 22 Privileges

The privileges of the present Convention may not be claimed in favour of any ship unless it holds a valid certificate under the Convention.

Article 23 Casualties

(1) Each Administration undertakes to conduct an investigation of any casualty occurring to ships for which it is responsible and which are subject to the provisions of the present Convention when it judges that such an investigation may assist in determining what changes in the Convention might be desirable.

(2) Each Contracting Government undertakes to supply the Organization with the pertinent information concerning the findings of such investigations. No reports or recommendations of the Organization based upon such information shall disclose the identity or nationality of the ships concerned or in any manner fix or imply responsibility upon any ship or person.

Article 24. Prior Treaties and Conventions

(1) All other treaties, conventions and arrangements relating to load line matters at present in force between Governments Parties to the present Convention shall continue to have full and complete effect during the terms thereof as regards:

(a) ships to which the present Convention does not apply; and

(b) ships to which the present Convention applies, in respect of matters for which it has not expressly provided.

(2) To the extent, however, that such treaties, conventions or arrangements conflict with the provisions of the present Convention, the provisions of the present Convention shall prevail.

Article 25. Special Rules drawn up by Agreement

When in accordance with the present Convention special rules are drawn up by agreement among all or some of the Contracting Governments, such rules shall be communicated to the Organization for circulation to all Contracting Governments.

Article 26. Communication of Informatio

(1) The Contracting Governments undertake to communicate to and deposit with the Organization:

(a) a sufficient number of specimens of their certificates issued under the provisions of the present Convention for circulation to the Contracting Governments;

(b) the text of the laws, decrees, orders, regulations and other instruments which shall have been promulgated on the various matters within the scope of the present Convention; and

(c) a list of non-governmental agencies which are authorized to act in their behalf in the administration of load line matters for circulation to the Contracting Governments.

(2) Each Contracting Government agrees to make its strength standards available to any other Contracting Government, upon request.

Article 27. Signature, Acceptance and Accession

(1) The present Convention shall remain open for signature for three months from 5 April 1966 and shall thereafter remain open for accession. Governments of States Members of the United Nations, or of any of the Specialized Agencies, or of the International Atomic Energy Agency, or parties to the Statute of the International Court of Justice may become parties to the Convention by:

(a) signature without reservation as to acceptance;

(b) signature subject to acceptance followed by acceptance; or

(c) accession.

(2) Acceptance or accession shall be effected by the deposit of an instrument of acceptance or accession with the Organization which shall inform all Governments that have signed the Convention or acceded to it of each new acceptance or accession and of the date of its deposit.

Article 28. Coming into force

(1) The present Convention shall come into force twelve months after the date on which not less than fifteen governments of States, including seven each with not less than one million gross tonnage of shipping, have signed without reservation as to acceptance or deposited instruments of acceptance or accession in accordance with Article 27. The Organization shall inform all Governments which have signed or acceded to the present Convention of the date on which it comes into force.

(2) For Governments which have deposited an instrument of acceptance of or accession to the present Convention during the twelve months mentioned in paragraph (1) of this Article, the acceptance or accession shall take effect on the coming into force of the present Convention or three months after the date of deposit of the instrument of acceptance or accession, whichever is the later date.

(3) For Governments which have deposited an instrument of acceptance of or accession to the present Convention after the date on which it comes into force, the Convention shall come into force three months after the date of the deposit of such instrument.

(4) After the date on which all the measures required to bring an amendment to the present Convention into force have been completed, or all necessary acceptances are deemed to have been given under sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (2) of Article 29 in case of amendment by unanimous acceptance, any instrument of acceptance or accession deposited shall be deemed to apply to the Convention as amended.

Article 29. Amendments

(1) The present Convention may be amended upon the proposal of a Contracting Government by any of the procedures specified in this Article.

(2) Amendment by unanimous acceptance:

(a) Upon the request of a Contracting Government, any amendment proposed by it to the present Convention shall be communicated by the Organization to all Contracting Governments for consideration with a view to unanimous acceptance.

(b) Any such amendment shall enter into force twelve months after the date of its acceptance by all Contracting Governments unless an earlier date is agreed upon. A Contracting Government which does not communicate its acceptance or rejection of the amendment to the Organization within three years of its first communication by the latter shall be deemed to have accepted the amendment.

(c) Any proposed amendment shall be deemed to be rejected if it is not accepted under sub-paragraph (b) of the present paragraph within three years after it has been first communicated to all Contracting Governments by the Organization.

(3) Amendment after consideration in the Organization:

(a) Upon the request of a Contracting Government, any amendment proposed by it to the present Convention will be considered in the Organization. If adopted by a majority of two-thirds of those present and voting in the Maritime Safety Committee of the Organization, such amendment shall be communicated to all Members of the Organization and all Contracting Governments at least six months prior to its consideration by the Assembly of the Organization.

(b) If adopted by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting in the Assembly, the amendment shall be communicated by the Organization to all Contracting Governments for their acceptance.

(c) Such amendment shall come into force twelve months after the date on which it is accepted by two-thirds of the Contracting Governments. The amendment shall come into force with respect to all Contracting Governments except those which, before it comes into force, make a declaration that they do not accept the amendment.

(d) The Assembly, by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting, including two-thirds of the Governments represented on the Maritime Safety Committee and present and voting in the Assembly, may propose a determination at the time of its adoption that an amendment is of such an important nature that any Contracting Government which makes a declaration under sub-paragraph (c), and which does not accept the amendment within a period of twelve months after it comes into force, shall cease to be a party to the present Convention upon the expiry of that period. This determination shall be subject to the prior acceptance of two-thirds of the Contracting Governments to the present Convention.

(e) Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent the Contracting Government which first proposed action under this paragraph on an amendment to the present Convention from taking at any time such alternative action as it deems desirable in accordance with paragraph (2) or (4) of this Article.

(4) Amendment by a conference:

(a) Upon the request of a Contracting Government, concurred in by at least one-third of the Contracting Governments, a conference of Governments will be convened by the Organization to consider amendments to the present Convention.

(b) Every amendment adopted by such a conference by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting of the Contracting Governments shall be communicated by the Organization to all Contracting Governments for their acceptance.

(c) Such amendment shall come into force twelve months after the date on which it is accepted by two-thirds of the Contracting Governments. The amendment shall come into force with respect to all Contracting Governments except those which, before it comes into force, make a declaration that they do not accept the amendment.

(d) By a two-thirds majority of those present and voting, a conference convened under sub-paragraph (a) may determine at the time of its adoption that an amendment is of such an important nature that any Contracting Government which makes a declaration under sub-paragraph (c), and which does not accept the amendment within a period of twelve months after it comes into force, shall cease to be a party to the present Convention upon the expiry of that period.

(5) Any amendments to the present Convention made under this Article which relate to the structure of a ship shall apply only to ships the keels of which are laid, or which are at a similar stage of construction, on or after the date on which the amendment comes into force.

(6) The Organization shall inform all Contracting Governments of any amendments which come into force under this Article, together with the date on which each such amendment will come into force.

(7) Any acceptance or declaration under this Article shall be made by a notification in writing to the Organization which shall notify all Contracting Governments of the receipt of the acceptance or declaration.

Article 30. Denunciation

(1) The present Convention may be denounced by any Contracting Government at any time after the expiry of five years from the date on which the Convention comes into force for that Government.

(2) Denunciation shall be effected by a notification in writing addressed to the Organization which shall inform all the other Contracting Governments of any such notification received and of the date of its receipt.

(3) A denunciation shall take effect one year, or such longer period as may be specified in the notification, after its receipt by the Organization.

Article 31. Suspension

(1) In case of hostilities or other extraordinary circumstances which affect the vital interests of a State the Government of which is a Contracting Government, that Government may suspend the operation of the whole or any part of the present Convention. The suspending Government shall immediately give notice of any such suspension to the Organization.

(2) Such suspension shall not deprive other Contracting Governments of any right of control under the present Convention over the ships of the suspending Government when such ships are within their ports.

(3) The suspending Government may at any time terminate such suspension and shall immediately give notice of such termination to the Organization.

(4) The Organization shall notify all Contracting Governments of any suspension or termination of suspension under this Article.

Article 32. Territories

(1)(a)The United Nations, in cases where they are the administering authority for a territory, or any Contracting Government responsible for the international relations of a territory, shall as soon as possible consult with such territory in an endeavour to extend the present Convention to that territory and may at any time by notification in writing to the Organization declare that the present Convention shall extend to such territory.

(b) The present Convention shall, from the date of the receipt of the notification or from such other date as may be specified in the notification, extend to the territory named therein.

(2)(a)The United Nations, or any Contracting Government which has made a declaration under sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph (1) of this Article, at any time after the expiry of a period of five years from the date on which the Convention has been so extended to any territory, may by notification in writing to the Organization declare that the present Convention shall cease to extend to any such territory named in the notification.

(b) The present Convention shall cease to extend to any territory mentioned in such notification one year, or such longer period as may be specified therein, after the date of receipt of the notification by the Organization.

(3) The Organization shall inform all the Contracting Governments of the extension of the present Convention to any territories under paragraph (1) of this Article, and of the termination of any such extension under the provisions of paragraph (2), stating in each case the date from which the present Convention has been or will cease to be so extended.

Article 33. Registration

(1) The present Convention shall be deposited with the Organization and the Secretary-General of the Organization shalltransmit certified true copies thereof to all Signatory Governments and to all Governments which accede to the present Convention.

(2) As soon as the present Convention comes into force it shall be registered by the Organization in accordance with Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations.

Article 34. Languages

The present Convention is established in a single copy in the English and French languages, both texts being equally authentic. Official translations in the Russian and Spanish languages shall be prepared and deposited with the signed original.

IN WITNESS WHEREFORE the undersigned being duly authorizef by their respective Governments for that purpose have signed the present Convention.

Done at London this fifth day of April 1966.

 

 

Annex I

Regulations for determining load lines

Chapter I

GENERAL

The Regulations assume that the nature and stowage of the cargo, ballast, etc., are such as to secure sufficient stability of the ship and the avoidance of excessive structural stress.

The Regulations also assume that where there are international requirements relating to stability or subdivision, these requirements have been complied with.

Regulation 1. Strength of Hull

The Administration shall satisfy itself that the general structural strength of the hull is sufficient for the draught corresponding to the freeboard assigned. Ships built and maintained in conformity with the requirements of a classification society recognized by the Administration may be considered to possess adequate strength.

Regulation 2. Application

(1) Ships with mechanical means of propulsion or lighters, barges or other ships without independent means of propulsion, shall be assigned freeboards in accordance with the provisions of Regulations 1-40 inclusive of this Annex.

(2) Ships carrying timber deck cargoes may be assigned, in addition to the freeboards prescribed in paragraph (1) of this Regulation, timber freeboards in accordance with the provisions of Regulations 41-45 inclusive of this Annex.

(3) Ships designed to carry sail, whether as the sole means of propulsion or as a supplementary means, and tugs, shall be assigned freeboards in accordance with the provisions of Regulations 1-40 inclusive of this Annex. Such additional freeboard shall be required as determined by the Administration.

(4) Ships of wood or of composite construction, or of other materials the use of which the Administration has approved, or ships whose constructional features are such as to render the application of the provisions of this Annex unreasonable or impracticable, shall be assigned freeboards as determined by the Administration.

(5) Regulations 10-26 inclusive of this Annex shall apply to every ship to which a minimum freeboard is assigned. Relaxations from these requirements may be granted to a ship to which a greater than minimum freeboard is assigned on condition that the Administration is satisfied with the safety conditions provided.

Regulation 3. Definition of Terms

used in the Annexes

(1) Length. The length (L) shall be taken as 96 per cent of the total length on a waterline at 85 per cent of the least moulded depth measured from the top of the keel, or as the length from the fore side of the stem to the axis of the rudder stock on that waterline, if that be greater. In ships designed with a rake of keel the waterline on which this length is measured shall be parallel to the designed waterline.

(2) Perpendiculars. The forward and after perpendiculars shall be taken at the forward and after ends of the length (L). The forward perpendicular shall coincide with the foreside of the stem on the waterline on which the length is measured.

(3) Amidships. Amidships is at the middle of the length (L).

(4) Breadth. Unless expressly provided otherwise, the breadth (B) is the maximum breadth of the ship, measured amidships to the moulded line of the frame in a ship with a metal shell and to the outer surface of the hull in a ship with a shell of any other material.

(5) Moulded Depth

(a) The moulded depth is the vertical distance measured from the top of the keel to the top of the freeboard deck beam at side. In wood and composite ships the distance is measured from the lower edge of the keel rabbet. Where the form at the lower part of the midship section is of a hollow character, or where thick garboards are fitted, the distance is measured from the point where the line of the flat of the bottom continued inwards cuts the side of the keel.

(b) In ships having rounded gunwales, the moulded depth shall be measured to the point of intersection of the moulded lines of the deck and side shell plating, the lines extending as though the gunwale were of angular design.

(c) Where the freeboard deck is stepped and the raised part of the deck extends over the point at which the moulded depth is to be determined, the moulded depth shall be measured to a line of reference extending from the lower part of the deck along a line parallel with the raised part.

(6) Depth for Freeboard (D)

(a) The depth for freeboard (D) is the moulded depth amidships, plus the thickness of the freeboard deck stringer plate, where fitted,

d1 is 85 per cent of the least moulded depth.

(8) Freeboard. The freeboard assigned is the distance measured vertically downwards amidships from the upper edge of the deck line to the upper edge of the related load line.

(9) Freeboard Deck. The freeboard deck is normally the uppermost complete deck exposed to weather and sea, which has permanent means of closing all openings in the weather part thereof, and below which all openings in the sides of the ship are fitted with permanent means of watertight closing. In a ship having a discontinuous freeboard deck, the lowest line of the exposed deck and the continuation of that line parallel to the upper part of the deck is taken as the freeboard deck. At the option of the owner and subject to the approval of the Administration, a lower deck may be designated as the freeboard deck provided it is a complete and permanent deck continuous in a fore and aft direction at least between the machinery space and peak bulkheads and continuous athwartships. When this lower deck is stepped the lowest line of the deck and the continuation of that line parallel to the upper part of the deck is taken as the freeboard deck. When a lower deck is designated as the freeboard deck, that part of the hull which extends above the freeboard deck is treated as a superstructure so far as concerns the application of the conditions of assignment and the calculation of freeboard. It is from this deck that the freeboard is calculated.

(10) Superstructure

(a) A superstructure is a decked structure on the freeboard deck, extending from side to side of the ship or with the side plating not being inboard of the shell plating more than 4 per cent of the breadth (B). A raised quarter deck is regarded as a superstructure.

(b) An enclosed superstructure is a superstructure with:

(i) enclosing bulkheads of efficient construction;

(ii) access openings, if any, in these bulkheads fitted with doors complying with the requirements of Regulation 12;

(iii) all other openings in sides or ends of the superstructure fitted with efficient weathertight means of closing.

A bridge or poop shall not be regarded as enclosed unless access is provided for the crew to reach machinery and other working spaces inside these superstructures by alternative means which are available at all times when bulkhead openings are closed.

(c) The height of a superstructure is the least vertical height measured at side from the top of the superstructure deck beams to the top of the freeboard deck beams.

(d) The length of a superstructure (S) is the mean length of the part of the superstructure which lies within the length (L).

(11) Flush Deck Ship. A flush deck ship is one which has no superstructure on the freeboard deck.

(12) Weathertight. Weathertight means that in any sea conditions water will not penetrate into the ship.

Regulation 4. Deck Line

The deck line is a horizontal line 300 millimetres (12 inches) in length and 25 millimetres (1 inch) in breadth. It shall be marked amidships on each side of the ship, and its upper edge shall normally pass through the point where the continuation outwards of the upper surface of the freeboard deck intersects the outer surface of the shell (as illustrated in Figure 1), provided that the deck line may be placed with reference to another fixed point on the ship on condition that the freeboard is correspondingly corrected. The location of the reference point and the identification of the freeboard deck shall in all cases be indicated on the International Load Line Certificate (1966).

Fig.1. Deck Line

 

Regulation 5. Load Line Mark

The Load Line Mark shall consist of a ring 300 millimetres (12 inches) in outside diameter and 25 millimetres (1 inch) wide which is intersected by a horizontal line 450 millimetres (18 inches) in length and 25 millimetres (1 inch) in breadth, the upper edge of which passes through the centre of the ring. The centre of the ring shall be placed amidships and at a distance equal to the assigned summer freeboard measured vertically below the upper edge of the deck line (as illustrated in Figure 2).

Fig.2. Load Line Mark and lines to be used with this mark

 

Regulation 6. Lines to be used with the Load Line Mark

(1) The lines which indicate the load line assigned in accordance with these Regulations shall be horizontal lines 230 millimetres (9 inches) in length and 25 millimetres (1 inch) in breadth which extend forward of, unless expressly provided otherwise, and at right angles to, a vertical line 25 millimetres (1 inch) in breadth marked at a distance 540 millimetres (21 inches) forward of the centre of the ring (as illustrated in Figure 2)

(2) The following load lines shall be used:

(a) The Summer Load Line indicated by the upper edge of the line which passes through the centre of the ring and also by a line marked S.

(b) The Winter Load Line indicated by the upper edge of a line marked W.

(c) The Winter North Atlantic Load Line indicated by the upper edge of a line marked WNA.

(d) The Tropical Load Line indicated by the upper edge of a line marked T.

(e) The Fresh Water Load Line in summer indicated by the upper edge of a line marked F. The Fresh Water Load Line in summer is marked abaft the vertical line. The difference between the Fresh Water Load Line in summer and the Summer Load Line is the allowance to be made for loading in fresh water at the other load lines.

(f) The Tropical Fresh Water Load Line indicated by the upper edge of a line marked TF, and marked abaft the vertical line.

(3) If timber freeboards are assigned in accordance with these Regulations, the timber load lines shall be marked in addition to ordinary load lines. These lines shall be horizontal lines 230 millimetres (9 inches) in length and 25 millimetres (1 inch) in breadth which extend abaft unless expressly provided otherwise, and are at right angles to, a vertical line 25 millimetres (1 inch) in breadth marked at a distance 540 millimetres (21 inches) abaft the centre of the ring (as illustrated in Figure 3).

(4) The following timber load lines shall be used:

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

(b) The Winter Timber Load Line indicated by the upper edge of a line marked LW.

(c) The Winter North Atlantic Timber Load Line indicated by the upper edge of a line marked LWNA.

(d) The Tropical Timber Load Line indicated by the upper edge of a line marked LT.

(e) The Fresh Water Timber Load Line in summer indicated by the upper edge of a line marked LF and marked forward of the vertical line. 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.

(f) The Tropical Fresh Water Timber Load Line indicated by the upper edge of a line marked LTF and marked forward of the vertical line.

(5) Where the characteristics of a ship or the nature of the ship's service or navigational limits make any of the seasonal lines inapplicable, these lines may be omitted.

(6) Where a ship is assigned a greater than minimum freeboard so that the load line is marked at a position corresponding to, or lower than, the lowest seasonal load line assigned at minimum freeboard in accordance with the present Convention, only the Fresh Water Load Line need be marked.

(7) On sailing ships only the Fresh Water Load Line and the Winter North Atlantic Load Line need be marked (as illustrated in Figure 4).

(8) Where a Winter North Atlantic Load Line is identical with the Winter Load Line corresponding to the same vertical line, this load line shall be marked W.

(9) Additional load lines required by other international conventions in force may be marked at right angles to and abaft the vertical line specified in paragraph (1) of this Regulation.

Fig.3. Timber Load Line Mark and lines to be used with this mark

Fig.4. Load Line Mark on sailing ships

and lines to be used with this mark

 

Regulation 7. Mark of Assigning Authority

The mark of the Authority by whom the load lines are assigned may be indicated alongside the load line ring above the horizontal line which passes through the centre of the ring, or above and below it. This mark shall consist of not more than four initials to identify the Authority's name, each measuring approximately 115 millimetres (4 1/2 inches) in height and 75 millimetres (3 inches) in width.

Regulation 8. Details of Marking

The ring, lines and letters shall be painted in white or yellow on a dark ground or in black on a light ground. They shall also be permanently marked on the sides of the ships to the satisfaction of the Administration. The marks shall be plainly visible and, if necessary, special arrangements shall be made for this purpose.

Regulation 9. Verification of Marks

The International Load Line Certificate (1966) shall not be delivered to the ship until the officer or surveyor acting under the provisions of Article 13 of the present Convention has certified that the marks are correctly and permanently indicated on the ship's sides.

 

Chapter II

CONDITIONS OF ASSIGNMENT OF FREEBOARD

Regulation 10. Information to be supplied to the Master

(1) The master of every new ship shall be supplied with sufficient information, in an approved form, to enable him to arrange for the loading and ballasting of his ship in such a way as to avoid the creation of any unacceptable stresses in the ship's structure, provided that this requirement need not apply to any particular length, design or class of ship where the Administration considers it to be unnecessary.

(2) The master of every new ship which is not already provided with stability information under an international convention for the safety of life at sea in force shall be supplied with sufficient information in an approved form to give him guidance as to the stability of the ship under varying conditions of service, and a copy shall be furnished to the Administration.

Regulation 11. Superstructure End Bulkheads

Bulkheads at exposed ends of enclosed superstructures shall be of efficient construction and shall be to the satisfaction of the Administration.

Regulation 12. Doors

(1) All access openings in bulkheads at ends of enclosed superstructures shall be fitted with doors of steel or other equivalent material, permanently and strongly attached to the bulkhead, and framed, stiffened and fitted so that the whole structure is of equivalent strength to the unpierced bulkhead and weathertight when closed. The means for securing these doors weathertight shall consist of gaskets and clamping devices or other equivalent means and shall be permanently attached to the bulkhead or to the doors themselves, and the doors shall be so arranged that they can be operated from both sides of the bulkhead. (2) Except as otherwise provided in these Regulations, the height of the sills of access openings in bulkheads at ends of enclosed superstructures shall be at least 380 millimetres (15 inches) above the deck.

Regulation 13. Position of Hatchways,

Doorways and Ventilators

For the purpose of the Regulations, two positions of hatchways,

doorways and ventilators are defined as follows:

Position 1 - Upon exposed freeboard and raised quarter decks, and upon exposed superstructure decks situated forward of a point located a quarter of the ship's length from the forward perpendicular.

Position 2 - Upon exposed superstructure decks situated abaft a quarter of the ship's length from the forward perpendicular.

Regulation 14. Cargo and other Hatchways

(1) The construction and the means for securing the weathertightness of cargo and other hatchways in positions 1 and 2 shall be at least equivalent to the requirements of Regulations 15 and 16 of this Annex.

(2) Coamings and hatchway covers to exposed hatchways on decks above the superstructure deck shall comply with the requirements of the Administration.

Regulation 15. Hatchways closed by Portable Covers

and secured Weathertight by Tarpaulins and Battening Devices

Hatchway Coamings

(1) The coamings of hatchways closed by portable covers secured weathertight by tarpaulins and battening devices shall be of substantial construction, and their height above the deck shall be at least as follows:

600 millimetres (23 1/2 inches) if in position 1.

450 millimetres (17 1/2 inches) if in position 2.

Hatchway Covers

(2) The width of each bearing surface for hatchway covers shall be at least 65 millimetres (2 1/2 inches).

(3) Where covers are made of wood, the finished thickness shall be at least 60 millimetres (2 3/8 inches) in association with a span of not more than 1.5 metres (4.9 feet).

(4) Where covers are made of mild steel the strength shall be calculated with assumed loads not less than 1.75 metric tons per square metre (358 pounds per square foot) on hatchways in position 1, and not less than 1.30 metric tons per square metre (266 pounds per square foot) on hatchways in position 2, and the product of the maximum stress thus calculated and the factor 4.25 shall not exceed the minimum ultimate strength of the material. They shall be so designed as to limit the deflection to not more than 0.0028 times the span under these loads.

(5) The assumed loads on hatchways in position 1 may be reduced to 1 metric ton per square metre (205 pounds per square foot) for ships of 24 metres (79 feet) in length and shall be not less than 1.75 metric tons per square metre (358 pounds per square foot) for ships of 100 metres (328 feet) in length. The corresponding loads on hatchways in position 2 may be reduced to 0.75 metric tons per square metre (154 pounds per square foot) and 1.30 metric tons per square metre (266 pounds per square foot) respectively. In all cases values at intermediate lengths shall be obtained by interpolation.

Portable Beams

(6) Where portable beams for supporting hatchway covers are made of mild steel the strength shall be calculated with assumed loads not less than 1.75 metric tons per square metre (358 pounds per square foot) on hatchways in position 1 and not less than 1.30 metric tons per square metre (266 pounds per square foot) on hatchways in position 2 and the product of the maximum stress thus calculated and the factor 5 shall not exceed the minimum ultimate strength of the material. They shall be so designed as to limit the deflection to not more than 0.0022 times the span under these loads. For ships of not more than 100 metres (328 feet) in length the requirements of paragraph (5) of this Regulation are applicable .

Pontoon Covers

(7) Where pontoon covers used in place of portable beams and covers are made of mild steel the strength shall be calculated with the assumed loads given in paragraph (4) of this Regulation, and the product of the maximum stress thus calculated and the factor 5 shall not exceed the minimum ultimate strength of the material. They shall be so designed as to limit the deflection to not more than 0.0022 times the span. Mild steel plating forming the tops of covers shall be not less in thickness than one per cent of the spacing of stiffeners or 6 millimetres (0.24 inches) if that be greater. For ships of not more than 100 metres (328 feet) in length the requirements of paragraph (5) of this Regulation are applicable.

(8) The strength and stiffness of covers made of materials other than mild steel shall be equivalent to those of mild steel to the satisfaction of the Administration.

Carriers or Sockets

(9) Carriers or sockets for portable beams shall be of substantial construction, and shall provide means for the efficient fitting and securing of the beams. Where rolling types of beams are used, the arrangements shall ensure that the beams remain properly in position when the hatchway is closed.

Cleats

(10) Cleats shall be set to fit the taper of the wedges. They shall be at least 65 millimetres (2 1/2 inches) wide and spaced not more than 600 millimetres (23 1/2 inches) centre to centre; the cleats along each side or end shall be not more than 150 millimetres (6 inches) from the hatch corners.

Battens and Wedges

(11) Battens and wedges shall be efficient and in good condition. Wedges shall be of tough wood or other equivalent material. They shall have a taper of not more than 1 in 6 and shall be not less than 13 millimetres (1/2 inch) thick at the toes.

Tarpaulins

(12) At least two layers of tarpaulin in good condition shall be provided for each hatchway in position 1 or 2. The tarpaulins shall be waterproof and of ample strength. They shall be of a material of at least an approved standard weight and quality.

Security of Hatchway Covers

(13) For all hatchways in position 1 or 2 steel bars or other equivalent means shall be provided in order efficiently and independently to secure each section of hatchway covers after the tarpaulins are battened down. Hatchway covers of more than 1.5 metres (4.9 feet) in length shall be secured by at least two such securing appliances.

Regulation 16. Hatchways closed by

Weathertight Covers of Steel or other equivalent material

fitted with Gaskets and Clamping Devices

Hatchway Coamings

(1) At positions 1 and 2 the height above the deck of hatchway coamings fitted with weathertight hatch covers of steel or other equivalent material fitted with gaskets and clamping devices shall be as specified in Regulation 15(1). The height of these coamings may be reduced, or the coamings omitted entirely, on condition that the Administration is satisfied that the safety of the ship is not thereby impaired in any sea conditions. Where coamings are provided they shall be of substantial construction.

Weathertight Cover

(2) Where weathertight covers are of mild steel the strength shall be calculated with assumed loads not less than 1.75 metric tons per square metre (358 pounds per square foot) on hatchways in position 1, and not less than 1.30 metric tons per square metre (266 pounds per square foot) on hatchways in position 2, and the product of the maximum stress thus calculated and the factor of 4.25 shall not exceed the minimum ultimate strength of the material. They shall be so designed as to limit the deflection to not more than 0.0028 times the span under these loads. Mild steel plating forming the tops of covers shall be not less in thickness than one per cent of the spacing of stiffeners or 6 millimetres (0.24 inches) if that be greater. The provisions of Regulation 15(5) are applicable for ships of not more than 100 metres (328 feet) in length.

(3) The strength and stiffness of covers made of materials other than mild steel shall be equivalent to those of mild steel to the satisfaction of the Administration.

Means for Securing Weathertightness

(4) The means for securing and maintaining weathertightness shall be to the satisfaction of the Administration. The arrangements shall ensure that the tightness can be maintained in any sea conditions, and for this purpose tests for tightness shall be required at the initial survey, and may be required at periodical surveys and at annual inspections or at more frequent intervals.

Regulation 17. Machinery Space Openings

(1) Machinery space openings in position 1 or 2 shall be properly framed and efficiently enclosed by steel casings of ample strength, and where the casings are not protected by other structures their strength shall be specially considered. Access openings in such casings shall be fitted with doors complying with the requirements of Regulation 12(1), the sills of which shall be at least 600 millimetres (23 1/2 inches) above the deck if in position 1, and at least 380 millimetres (15 inches) above the deck if in position 2. Other openings in such casings shall be fitted with equivalent covers, permanently attached in their proper positions.

(2) Coamings of any fiddley, funnel or machinery space ventilator in an exposed position on the freeboard or superstructure deck shall be as high above the deck as is reasonable and practicable. Fiddley openings shall be fitted with strong covers of steel or other equivalent material permanently attached in their proper positions and capable of being secured weathertight.

Regulation 18. Miscellaneous Openings

in Freeboard and Superstructure Decks

(1) Manholes and flush scuttles in position 1 or 2 or within superstructures other than enclosed superstructures shall be closed by substantial covers capable of being made watertight. Unless secured by closely spaced bolts, the covers shall be permanently attached.

(2) Openings in freeboard decks other than hatchways, machinery space openings, manholes and flush scuttles shall be protected by an enclosed superstructure, or by a deckhouse or companionway of equivalent strength and weathertightness. Any such opening in an exposed superstructure deck or in the top of a deckhouse on the freeboard deck which gives access to a space below the freeboard deck or a space within an enclosed superstructure shall be protected by an efficient deckhouse or companionway. Doorways in such deckhouses or companionways shall be fitted with doors complying with the requirements of Regulation 12(1).

(3) In position 1 the height above the deck of sills to the doorways in companionways shall be at least 600 millimetres (23 1/2 inches). In position 2 it shall be at least 380 millimetres (15 inches).

Regulation. 19 Ventilators

(1) Ventilators in position 1 or 2 to spaces below freeboard decks or decks of enclosed superstructures shall have coamings of steel or other equivalent material, substantially constructed and efficiently connected to the deck. Where the coaming of any ventilator exceeds 900 millimetres (35 1/2 inches) in height it shall be specially supported.

(2) Ventilators passing through superstructures other than enclosed superstructures shall have substantially constructed coamings of steel or other equivalent material at the freeboard deck.

(3) Ventilators in position 1 the coamings of which extend to more than 4.5 metres (14.8 feet) above the deck, and in position 2 the coamings of which extend to more than 2.3 metres (7.5 feet) above the deck, need not be fitted with closing arrangements unless specifically required by the Administration.

(4) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this Regulation ventilator openings shall be provided with efficient weathertight closing appliances. In ships of not more than 100 metres (328 feet) in length the closing appliances shall be permanently attached; where not so provided in other ships, they shall be conveniently stowed near the ventilators to which they are to be fitted. Ventilators in position 1 shall have coamings of a height of at least 900 millimetres (35 1/2 inches) above the deck; in position 2 the coamings shall be of a height at least 760 millimetres (30 inches) above the deck.

(5) In exposed positions, the height of coamings may be required to be increased to the satisfaction of the Administration.

Regulation 20. Air pipes

Where air pipes to ballast and other tanks extend above the freeboard or superstructure decks, the exposed parts of the pipes shall be of substantial construction; the height from the deck to the point where water may have access below shall be at least 760 millimetres (30 inches) on the freeboard deck and 450 millimetres (17 1/2 inches) on the superstructure deck. Where these heights may interfere with the working of the ship, a lower height may be approved, provided the Administration is satisfied that the closing arrangements and other circumstances justify a lower height. Satisfactory means permanently attached, shall be provided for closing the openings of the air pipes.

Regulation 21. Cargo Ports and other similar Openings

(1) Cargo ports and other similar openings in the sides of ships below the freeboard deck shall be fitted with doors so designed as to ensure watertightness and structural integrity commensurate with the surrounding shell plating. The number of such openings shall be the minimum compatible with the design and proper working of the ship.

(2) Unless permitted by the Administration, the lower edge of such openings shall not be below a line drawn parallel to the freeboard deck at side, which has at its lowest point the upper edge of the uppermost load line.

Regulation 22. Scuppers, Inlets and Discharges

(1) Discharges led through the shell either from spaces below the freeboard deck or from within superstructures and deckhouses on the freeboard deck fitted with doors complying with the requirements of Regulation 12 shall be fitted with efficient and accessible means for preventing water from passing inboard. Normally each separate discharge shall have one automatic non-return valve with a positive means of closing it from a position above the freeboard deck. Where, however, the vertical distance from the summer load waterline to the inboard end of the discharge pipe exceeds 0.01 L, the discharge may have two automatic non-return valves without positive means of closing, provided that the inboard valve is always accessible for examination under service conditions; where that vertical distance exceeds 0.02 L a single automatic non-return valve without positive means of closing may be accepted subject to the approval of the Administration. The means for operating the positive action valve shall be readily accessible and provided with an indicator showing whether the valve is open or closed.

(2) In manned machinery spaces main and auxiliary sea inlets and discharges in connexion with the operation of machinery may be controlled locally. The controls shall be readily accessible and shall be provided with indicators showing whether are open or closed.

(3) Scupers and discharge pipes originating at any level and penetrating the shell either more than 450 millimetres (17 1/2 inches) below the freeboard deck or less than 600 millimetres (23 1/2 inches) above the summer load waterline shall be provided with a non-return valve at the shell. This valve, unless required by paragraph (1), may be omitted if the piping is of substantial thickness.

(4) Scuppers leading from superstructures or deckhouses not fitted with doors complying with the requirements of Regulation 12 shall be led overboard.

(5) All valves and shell fittings required by this Regulation shall be of steel, bronze or other approved ductile material. Valves of ordinary cast iron or similar material are not acceptable. All pipes to which this Regulation refers shall be of steel or other equivalent material to the satisfaction of the Administration.

Regulation 23. Side Scuttles

(1) Side scuttles to spaces below the freeboard deck or to spaces within enclosed superstructures shall be fitted with efficient hinged inside deadlights arranged so that they can be effectively closed and secured watertight.

(2) No side scuttle shall be fitted in a position so that its sill is below a line drawn parallel to the freeboard deck at side and having its lowest point 2.5 per cent of the breadth (B) above the load waterline, or 500 millimetres (19 1/2 inches), whichever is the greater distance.

(3) The side scuttles, together with their glasses, if fitted, and deadlights, shall be of substantial and approved construction.

Regulation 24. Freeing Ports

(1) Where bulwarks on the weather portions of freeboard or superstructure decks form wells, ample provision shall be made for rapidly freeing the decks of water and for draining them. Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this Regulation, the minimum freeing port area (A) on each side of the ship for each well on the freeboard deck shall be that given by the following formulae in cases where the sheer in way of the well is standard or greater than standard. The minimum area for each well on superstructure decks shall be one-half of the area given by the formulae.

Where the length of bulwark (l) in the well is 20 metres or less

A = 0.7 + 0.035 l square metres,

where l exceeds 20 metres

A = 0.07 l square metres.

l need in no case be taken as greater than 0.7 L.

If the bulwark is more than 1.2 metres in average height the required area shall be increased by 0.004 square metres per metre of length of well for each 0.1 metre difference in height. If the bulwark is less than 0.9 metre in average height, the required area may be decreased by 0.004 square metres per metre of length of well for each 0.1 metre difference in height.

Or,

where the length of bulwark (l) in the well is 66 feet or less

A = 7.6 + 0.115 l square feet,

where l exceeds 66 feet

A = 0.23 l square feet.

l need in no case be taken as greater than 0.7 L.

If the bulwark is more than 3.9 feet in average height the required area shall be increased by 0.04 square feet per foot of length of well for each foot difference in height. If the bulwark is less than 3 feet in average height, the required area may be decreased by 0.04 square feet per foot of length for each foot difference in height.

(2) In ships with no sheer the calculated area shall be increased by 50 per cent. Where the sheer is less than the standard the percentage shall be obtained by interpolation.

(3) Where a ship is fitted with a trunk which does not comply with the requirements of Regulation 36(1)(e) or where continuous or substantially continuous hatchway side coamings are fitted between detached superstructures the minimum area of the freeing port openings shall be calculated from the following table:

	Breadth of hatchway or trunk	Area of freeing ports in relation
	in relation to the breadth of ship	to the total area of the bulwarks
	40 % or less	20 %
	75 % or more	10 %

 

The area of freeing ports at intermediate breadths shall be obtained by linear interpolation.

(4) In ships having superstructures which are open at either or both ends, adequate provision for freeing the space within such superstructures shall be provided to the satisfaction of the Administration.

(5) The lower edges of the freeing ports shall be as near the deck as practicable. Two-thirds of the freeing port area required shall be provided in the half of the well nearest the lowest point of the sheer curve.

(6) All such openings in the bulwarks shall be protected by rails or bars spaced approximately 230 millimetres (9 inches) apart. If shutters are fitted to freeing ports, ample clearance shall be provided to prevent jamming. Hinges shall have pins or bearings of non-corrodible material. If shutters are fitted with securing appliances, these appliances shall be of approved construction.

Regulation 25. Protection of the Crew

(1) The strength of the deckhouses used for the accommodation of the crew shall be to the satisfaction of the Administration.

(2) Efficient guard rails or bulwarks shall be fitted on all exposed parts of the freeboard and superstructure decks. The height of the bulwarks or guard rails shall be at least 1 metre (39 1/2 inches) from the deck, provided that where this height would interfere with the normal operation of the ship, a lesser height may be approved if the Administration is satisfied that adequate protection is provided.

(3) The opening below the lowest course of the guard rails shall not exceed 230 millimetres (9 inches). The other courses shall be not more than 380 millimetres (15 inches) apart. In the case of ships with rounded gunwales the guard rail supports shall be placed on the flat of the deck.

(4) Satisfactory means (in the form of guard rails, life lines, gangways or underdeck passages etc.) shall be provided for the protection of the crew in getting to and from their quarters, the machinery space and all other parts used in the necessary work of the ship.

(5) Deck cargo carried on any ship shall be so stowed that an opening which is in way of the cargo and which gives access to and from the crew's quarters, the machinery space and all other parts used in the necessary work of the ship, can be properly closed and secured against the admission of water. Effective protection for the crew in the form of guard rails or life lines shall be provided above the deck cargo if there is no convenient passage on or below the deck of the ship.

Regulation 26. Special Conditions

of Assignment for Type "A" Ships

Machinery Casings

(1) Machinery casings on Type "A" ships as defined in Regulation 27 shall be protected by an enclosed poop or bridge of at least standard height, or by a deckhouse of equal height and equivalent strength, provided that machinery casings may be exposed if there are no openings giving direct access from the freeboard deck to the machinery space. A door complying with the requirements of Regulation 12 may, however, be permitted in the machinery casing, provided that it leads to a space or passageway which is as strongly constructed as the casing and is separated from the stairway to the engine room by a second weathertight door of steel or other equivalent material.

Gangway and Access

(2) An efficiently constructed fore and aft permanent gangway of sufficient strength shall be fitted on Type "A" ships at the level of the superstructure deck between the poop and the midship bridge or deckhouse where fitted, or equivalent means of access shall be provided to carry out the purpose of the gangway, such as passages below deck. Elsewhere, and on Type "A" ships without a midship bridge, arrangements to the satisfaction of the Administration shall be provided to safeguard the crew in reaching all parts used in the necessary work of the ship.

(3) Safe and satisfactory access from the gangway level shall be available between separate crew accommodations and also between crew accommodations and the machinery space.

Hatchways

(4) Exposed hatchways on the freeboard and forecastle decks or on the tops of expansion trunks on Type "A" ships shall be provided with efficient watertight covers of steel or other equivalent material.

Freeing Arrangements

(5) Type "A" ships with bulwarks shall have open rails fitted for at least half the length of the exposed parts of the weather deck or other effective freeing arrangements. The upper edge of the sheer strake shall be kept as low as practicable.

(6) Where superstructures are connected by trunks, open rails shall be fitted for the whole length of the exposed parts of the freeboard deck.

 

Chapter III

FREEBOARDS

Regulation 27. Types of Ships

Regulation 1 - 52

DOC 218 kb

 

Regulation 52. The Winter North Atlantic Load Line

The part of the North Atlantic referred to in Regulation 40(6) (Annex I) comprises:

(a) that part of the North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II which lies between the meridians of 15°W and 50°W;

(b) the whole of the North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone I, the Shetland Islands to be considered as being on the boundary.

 

Annex III

Certificates