LOAD LINE REGULATIONS

LOAD LINE REGULATIONS

• The first International Convention on Load Lines, adopted in 1930, was based on the
principle of reserve buoyancy, although it was recognized then that the freeboard should
also ensure adequate stability and avoid excessive stress on the ship's hull as a result of
overloading.
• In the 1966 Load Lines convention, adopted by IMO, provisions are made determining the
freeboard of ships by subdivision and damage stability calculations.
• The regulations take into account the potential hazards present in different zones and
different seasons. The technical annex contains several additional safety measures
concerning doors, freeing ports, hatchways and other items. The main purpose of these
measures is to ensure the watertight integrity of ships' hulls below the freeboard deck.
• All assigned load lines must be marked amidships on each side of the ship, together with
the deck line. Ships intended for the carriage of timber deck cargo are assigned a smaller
freeboard as the deck cargo provides protection against the impact of waves
Exceptions

• The present Convention shall not apply to:

a)ships of war;
b)new ships of less than 24 meters (79 feet) in length;
c)existing ships of less than 150 gross tonnage;
d)pleasure yachts
e)fishing vessels.
 
 Load line survey and requirements for certification

• A certificate issued to a ship, if she is built and maintained thereafter, according to the requirements of
the International Convention on Load Lines (1966)
• Issued by the Administration or Classification Society
• Validity is 5 years and subjected to Annual Survey
• Carried out as first survey when a new ship is completed, During this survey freeboard arrangements and
conditions of assignment are made in accordance with International Regulations and Documentation
• After thorough inspection a Load Line Certificate is issued and its validity is 5 years, subjected to Annual
Survey
• Load Line Renewal Survey held at 5 year intervals from date of build and whenever a Special Survey is
made. During this survey, all freeboard items to be examined and load line markings to be verified.
• On satisfactory completion of the survey, an international load line certificate will be issued to vessel
which is valid for 5 years.
• Load Line Annual Inspection carried out with 3 months +/- anniversary date of certificate
• Main purpose of Load Line survey is to examine that's the ship construction complies with requirements
of the convention.
 Survey by Classification surveyors prior certification
• Load line marks, verified with existing load line certificate
• Coamings and closing appliances of exposed hatch ways, hatch ways within super
structure to be examined.
• Watertight hatch covers are to be hose-tested for water-tightness.
• Test of Ventilators, flap levers are free and locking pins are in place and secured by chain
to ventilation casing.
• Check Air Pipes and their closing means, flame traps for fuel oil tanks air pipes in good
order.
• Watertight doors and closing arrangements to be checked.
• Scuppers and their discharge pipe and valves below the freeboard deck , checked for
corrosion / wastage
• Gangways and cargo ports below freeboard or superstructure deck to be checked.
• General condition of hull as far as can be seen.
 Conditions of freeboard
assignment
 
• Efficient means of protection must be provided for all openings to hull and
superstructure, for protection of crew in heavy weather and for rapid
freeing of water from the weather deck.
• Condition of Assignment must be maintained, at all times in satisfactory
condition
• Annual Inspection to be made by assigning authorities, to ensure that they
have been maintained in satisfactory condition for continued validity of
Load Line Certificate
PREPARATION FOR A LOAD LINE ANNUAL SURVEY

1. Check that all access openings at ends of enclosed structures are in good conditions. All dogs, clamps and hinges to
be free and well-greased. All gaskets and water-tight seals should be crack free. Ensure that the doors open from both sides
2. Check all cargo hatches and access to holds for weather tightness
3.   Check the efficiency and securing of portable beams
4.   If portable wooden hatch covers are used check that they are in good condition
5.   If tarpaulins are used at least two should be provided for each hatch and in good condition
6.  Inspect all machinery space opening on exposed deck
7.  Check that any manholes and flush scuttles are capable of being made watertight
8.  Check that all ventilator openings are provided with efficient weather tight closing appliance
9.  All air pipe should be provided with satisfactory means for closing and opening
10.  Inspect any cargo ports below the freeboard deck and ensure that all of them are watertight
11.  Ensure that non return valves on overboard valves are operating in a satisfactory manner
12.  Side scuttles and openings below the freeboard deck must have efficient internal watertight deadlights
13.  Check that all freeing ports are in satisfactory conditions
14.   All guard-rails and bulwarks should be satisfactory condition
15.   De-rust and paint the deck line, load line marks, load line and the draught marks
Load line & Timber Load line ( L = Lumber )
Vessel with Timber Deck Cargo
Water Tight Doors
Bulwark, freeing port and Guardrails on deck
Mushroom & Cowl
ventilator on deck
Hatch cover & manhole cover
Air pipes & Sounding
pipes
Side Scuttles / Portholes with glass & dead light
Bow door & Side door
Stern & side ramps of Car Carrier