15 Important Points To Consider

While Preparing For Load Line

Survey On Ships
The time before surveys is a tough one for all onboard ship. Work is carried out in full
throttle to ensure that the vessel is up to the mark of highest standards. Needless to
say, a Planned Maintenance Schedule is of extreme importance here; for, if carried
out with diligence and at regular intervals, last minute decisions do not have to be
made.

Also, situations have arisen wherein work for the load line survey begins at a prior
time that is just not enough to achieve maximum results. Thereby, preparations
ought to begin a few months before the expected date of survey.

Mentioned below are some important points that needs to be considered while
preparing for a load line survey:

1. Check Access Points: Access points at enclosed structures should be checked.

All movable parts (clamps, dogs etc.) should be well greased. Gaskets and
watertight packings should be checked for cracks and repaired accordingly. Rubber
packings are integral in maintaining the watertight integrity of an enclosed structure.

2. Check Ventilators and Air pipes: Ventilators and air pipes (openings) should be
provided with closing mechanisms. Check the installation if already provided and
repair any damages. Often, heavy rusting eats up most of the flaps in which case
they should be replaced.

3. Keep Deck Clear: Portable beams must be checked for efficiency and securing.
Also, a habit must be inculcated of squaring up of used equipment. It reflects very
well on the ship to have a deck free from unnecessary tools lying about.

4. Check Hatches: Hatches should be checked for being weather tight. Check
booby hatches too for the same. The butterfly screw should be checked for easy
movement.

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5. Check Locking Bars: Locking bars, locking pins, hatch ventilators must be
checked, de rusted and operated for free movement. As we all know, liberal use of
WD 40 is always encouraged and helpful!

6. Keep Tarpaulins in Good Condition: Tarpaulins, if used to cover hatches, must

be in top condition and of an approved material and standard. In fact, the same logic
should apply to most equipment and/or materials used for the purpose of operation
and maintenance onboard.

7. Check for Watertightness: Check manholes, scuppers and other similar parts
enabling water flow for watertightness. The manholes must be screwed tight using
the T wrench as far as possible. Scuppers often get clogged over time and restrict
the outlet of water, in which case, they should be cleaned. Also, plugs of the exact
dimensions as the outlet should be used for closing.

8. Ensure Proper Working of Non-Return Valves: The non-return valves must be

checked for working efficiency with respect to overboard discharge. Most authorities
are rather stern when it comes to this.
9. Keep Machinery Spaces Clean: All machinery space opening on deck must be
thoroughly inspected. Keep the general appearance clean at these sections for they
generally have patches of oil and other dirt.

10. Check Ports For Watertight Integrity: All ports under the freeboard deck must
be strictly checked for their watertight integrity. Also, any and every freeing port
should be moving freely. Inspect that shutters, hinges, pins are not corroding and are
well lubricated and have free movement.

11. Repair Fractures: Fractures in guardrails and bulwarks must be repaired. In

fact, irrespective of an impending survey, these areas ought to be in mint condition
since they mean so much to personnel safety.

12. All Lines Should Be Ready For Inspection: The deck line, load line mark, load
line, draught marks, important signages etc. should be de rusted and painted for
inspection. The required job, when carried out, must be done under apt supervision
and with full safety gear in play, as this job is most likely to involve being hung by the
side of the ship. Keep necessary LSA on standby for any probable necessity that
may arise.

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13. All Safety Equipment Must Be In Order: All safety measures must be checked
and then checked again! Nothing screams of efficiency more than a solid safety
culture in place. Check all safety equipments, rig safety lines in place and overhaul
any aspect of the safety setup as necessary.

14. Check Side Scuttles: Side scuttles below the freeboard deck and deadlights
must be checked for watertight integrity. The rubber packing around the deadlights is
of paramount importance and must be thoroughly inspected for cracks and fissures.

15. All Records Must Be Ready For Inspection: The load line certificate and
relevant records should be kept ready for inspection on the final day. The stability
information should also be kept ready to show adherence to the rules of
loading/discharging and ballasting/deballasting. The Chief Mate should make sure
that all appropriate keys are available and working in the event that the Surveyor
asks to inspect any area. A reasonable manpower should be available at all times for
a variety of jobs that may ensue.

It is understood that, considering the size of a vessel, it is a daunting task to ensure

that the entire vessel is overhauled to the level of a newly made one. When being
specific about the load line survey, it is basically an effort to make the hull watertight
below the freeboard and weather tight above it.

However, all effort should be made to make the vessel achieve its maximum
possible level of working efficiency. It should be understood that a vessel that runs
smoothly, is eventually going to benefit the ship’s personnel as well as reduce
workload for the seafarers. After all, when the survey is over and the vessel has
sailed, a problem free environment will leave more time for the much needed rest
and recuperation.

Condition of Assignment – Load

Line Survey
These are the conditions which must be met before free board is assigned to a ship
and load line certifcate is issued following a load line survey. Free boards are
computed assuming ship to be a completely enclosed and water tight / weather tight
envelop. The convention then goes onto recognize the practical need for opening in
the ship and prescribes means of protection and closure of such openings. These are
called condition of assignment since the assignment of computed free board is
conditional upon the prescribed means of protection and closure of openings such as
hatchways, doorways, ventilation, air pipes, scuppers, etc. Following are the
conditions which must be met before assigning the load line.

1. Enough structural strength should be possessed.

2. Enough reserve buoyancy should be possessed.
3. Safety and protection of crew.
4. Prevent entry of water through hull.
Ships to be surveyed annually to ensure that they fulfll the condition of assignment.

Most of the condition of assignment are concerned with the water tight integrity of
the ship. Hull construction should meet the highest standard laid down by the
classifcation society. This ensures protection against looding of the ship. The
superstructure and bulkheads must be strengthened sufciently. Some of the
condition of assignment which contribute towards water tight integrity are:

1. Hatchways
2. Machinery space openings
3. Details of opening in free board
4. Details of opening in superstructure deck
5. Ventilators
6. Cargo ports
7. Air pipes
8. Scuppers
9. Side scuttles
10. Inlet and discharges
All the above parameters ensures water tight integrity and protection against
looding of compartment. If above are not water tight then during rough weather
water can enter into the areas below main deck causing to reduce the free board.
So, condition of assignment very much contributes towards water integrity of the
ship. Also if green sea efect is not reduced and water is being accumulated on the
deck, it can cause free board to reduce and add free surface efect. In rough weather
if any longitudinal or transverse girder give way it can cause structural failure and
water can enter area below main deck.

Because of this coaming, height of hatchways, height of sounding pipes and vent
pipes are prescribed in M.S. load line rules.