Sunday, November 4, 2007

Everything you need to know about taking Grain aboard in bulk

Grain includes one of the following:-
(1) Wheat
(2) Maize
(3) Oats
(4) Rye
(5) Barley
(6) Rice
(7) Pulses
(8) Seeds(Any of the above can cause self combustion due to the gases given off)

(Q) How can you find out if you can carry 20,000 tonnes of grain on his vessel?(a) You need to refer to the vessel's stability book to see what the vessel can carry in each hold
Also check out the following
(1) Check out the grain loading plans
(2) Check out the stowage details for the grain (Stowage factor which you get from the shipper)Find out the ships volume for that compartment which is in the ships cargo plan, then you get the stowage factor from the shipper, the person who own's the grain
(3) Find out what type of grain your taking onboard and see if it gives off dangerous gases
(4) Find out the freeboard/draught before loading and after loading
(5) make sure the grain cannot shift by using boards transversely and athwart-ships to minimize F.S.E.
(6) Check for overheating (Sweating by cargo sweat or ships sweat) Both are very dangerous (both can self-ignite)


(Q) What is Cargo Sweat and what is ships sweat?(a) Cargo Sweat is where the air in the hold is hotter that the air outside the holdShips sweat is where the air outside the hold is hotter that the air inside the hold


(Q) What check's would you take before loading "Grain"?(a) Make sure that the vessel is totally empty and fumigated (it can be oxygen deficient or have flammable gases in it)


(Q) What is the main danger when going into a hold that has not been fumigated?(a) No oxygen, the fumes inside a hold can kill, it's happened a lot of times in the past
(Q) What are the Rules for entering an enclosed space?
(1) Get the skippers permission
(2) Ventilate the enclosed space
(3) Test the oxygen count
(4) Put S.C.B.A. (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) on (if needed)
(5) Use a lifeline
(6) Have someone trained in first aid close by
(7) Have fire-extinguishers close by
(8) Use hard-hats, protective clothing, steel-toe cap boots and gloves
(9) Inform the skipper when done


(Q) If you have a hold that has slack tanks with the amount of grain in it, what should you do with this?
(a) Look up the SOLAS manual this will give you the angle of repose and the amount of space you need fro expansion for the grain to expand


(Q) What is an Angle of Repose?
(a) This is the maximum angle you can have the grain at
Check out the stability book to make sure you can safely take this amount of grain onboardMake sure the ship is fumigated before the grain is taken aboard (it can be oxygen deficient or have flammable gases in it)
When a ship is fumigated, the detailed recommendations contained in the Recommendations on the Safe Use of Pesticides in Ships" should be followed. Spaces adjacent to fumigated spaces should be treated as if fumigated.

CONCLUSION
Failure to observe simple procedures can lead to people being unexpectedly overcome when entering enclosed spaces. Observance of the principals outlined above will form a reliable basis for assessing risks in such spaces and for taking necessary precautions
Check out the grain loading plansCheck out the stowage details for the grainFind out the type of grain carried and see what (if any) gases it gives offFind the total weight of the grainFind out what draft and freeboard you have before loading and after loadingMake sure that the grain cannot shift by taking precautions using boards transversely and athwart ships to minimize F.S.E. (Free Surface Effect)Watch for overheating (sweating though Cargo sweat or Ships sweat) both are dangerous and can ignite and explode by itself

Cargo Information
The shipper must supply the master with all the relevant information well in advance prior to taking any cargo onboard, the master needs this information so he can plan how to stow the cargo so it will be safe, the master will require the following information;

For general cargoes or cargo units
(1) A description of the cargo
(2) the gross weight of the cargo
(3) The Dimensions of the cargo
(4) Any special properties of the cargo

For Bulk Cargoes
(1) The stowage factor of the cargo
(2) The trimming procedures
(3) For concentrate or other cargo which may liquefy, additional information in the form of a certificate indicating the moisture content of the cargo and its transportable moisture limit;
Bulk cargoes which are not classified in accordance with Regulation VII/2 of the SOLAS Convention, but have chemical properties that may create a potential hazard
Information on the chemical properties besides the information for bulk cargoes above
All information must be given to the master prior to loading any cargo on proper shipping documentation (the master must check that this documentation is correct before taking the cargo onboard – accidents has happened because of the documentation being wrong)
With containers and cargo units the shipper must check that the gross tonnage/dimensions are correct (an near accident happened with a document saying the gross tonnage of a container was 3 tonnes – with it’s contents, the master was asked to take the container aboard with the ships crane – the crane had a S.W.L. of 5 tonnes, when the crane took the initial weight of the container, the initial strain taken madethe ship list badly towards the quay, the master screamed to stop the crane which the crane operator did, later they found the gross weight of the container was 7 tonnes – a misprint – but it could have been a nasty accident) If the shipper or the agent does not supply the documentation to the master the forwarder shall supply the information well in advanceA master will not take cargo aboard without all the information he requires (this is an offence if he does)

Cargo Documentation
Every cargo except a ship carrying grain shall have the following documentation
(1) the Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing adopted by the Organization by Resolution A.714(17), 1992 edition;(2) the Code of Safe Practice for Ships Carrying Timber Deck Cargoes adopted by the Organization by Resolution A.715(17), 1992 edition; and(3) the Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes (BC Code) adopted by the Organization by Resolution A.434(XI), 1991 edition.
Every vessel carrying grain shall have the following documentation onboard;

International Grain Code

Stowage and securing

The operator and master must ensure that the following are undertaken;
(1) cargo and cargo units carried on or under deck are loaded, stowed and secured so as to prevent as far as is practicable, throughout the voyage, damage or hazard to the ship and the persons on board, and loss of cargo overboard
(2) appropriate precautions are taken during loading and transport of heavy cargoes or cargoes with abnormal physical dimensions to ensure that no structural damage to the ship occurs and to maintain adequate stability throughout the voyage;
(3) appropriate precautions are taken during loading and transport of cargo units on board ro-ro ships, especially with regard to the securing arrangements on board such ships and on the cargo units and with regard to the strength of the securing points and lashings.

The shipper must ensure that:
(1) the cargo is packed and secured so as to prevent, throughout any voyage, damage or hazard to the ship and the persons on board; and
(2) if the cargo unit is a container, it is not loaded to more than the maximum gross weight indicated on the Safety Approval Plate attached to the container in accordance with the International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC 1972), published by the Organization.

Oxygen analysis and gas detection equipment
Ships carrying cargoes that emit a toxic or flammable gas or causes oxygen depletion
(1) In the case of a ship transporting or accepting for transport a bulk cargo which is liable to emit a toxic or flammable gas, or cause oxygen depletion in the cargo hold, an appropriate instrument for measuring the concentration of gas or oxygen in the air shall be provided together with detailed instructions for its use. Such an instrument shall be of a type approved by a Certifying Authority, and the crew shall be trained in its use.
(2) The operator of a ship which transports, or the master who accepts for carriage, such a bulk cargo without ensuring that paragraph (1) has been complied with shall be guilty of an offence.
The use of pesticides in ships
(1) Where pesticides are used in cargo spaces, they shall be used in accordance with Merchant Shipping Notice M.1534 ("Recommendations on the Safe Use of Pesticides in Ships").
(2) If paragraph (1) is not complied with the operator and master shall each be guilty of an offence.Special Provisions For Bulk Cargoes Other Than Grain
A master will only accept a bulk cargo in the following conditions
(1) Prior to loading a bulk cargo the master shall be in possession of approved stability information, as required by the Merchant Shipping (Load Line) Rules 1968[4], containing comprehensive information on the ship's stability and on the distribution of cargo and ballast for the standard loading conditions
(2) The master shall not accept for loading concentrates or other cargoes which may liquefy unless either the moisture content of the cargo indicated in the certificate referred to in regulation 4(1)(b) is less than its transportable moisture limit or appropriate safety arrangements are made to the satisfaction of the Certifying Authority to ensure adequate stability in the case of cargo shifting, and the ship has adequate structural integrity.
(3) Prior to loading a bulk cargo referred to in regulation 4(1)(c), appropriate special precautions for its safe carriage shall be taken.
(4) The operator shall ensure that the master is furnished with the information referred to in paragraph (1).
(5) (a) The master shall not accept cargo for loading unless he has possession of approved stability information, as required by the Merchant Shipping (Load Line) Rules 1968[4], containing comprehensive information on the ship's stability and on the distribution of cargo and ballast for the standard loading conditions(b) The master shall not accept for loading concentrates or other cargoes which may liquefy unless either the moisture content of the cargo indicated in the certificate referred to in regulation 4(1)(b) is less than its transportable moisture limit or appropriate safety arrangements are made to the satisfaction of the Certifying Authority to ensure adequate stability in the case of cargo shifting, and the ship has adequate structural integrity.(c) he is satisfied that, in the case of a cargo to which paragraph (3) applies, the precautions required by that paragraph have been taken.
Stowage of bulk cargo
(1) The master shall ensure that bulk cargoes are loaded and trimmed reasonably level, as necessary, to the boundaries of the cargo space so as to minimize the risk of shifting.
(2) When bulk cargoes are carried in 'tween decks, the master shall ensure that the hatchways of such 'tween decks shall be closed in those cases where the loading information indicates an unacceptable level of stress of the bottom structure if the hatchways are left open. The cargo shall be trimmed reasonably level and shall either extend from side to side or be secured by additional longitudinal divisions of sufficient strength. The safe load-carrying capacity of the 'tween decks shall be observed to ensure that the deck-structure is not overloaded
Requirements for Cargo Ships Carrying GrainInternational Grain Code
(1) A ship carrying grain shall comply with the requirements of the International Grain Code
(2) Without prejudice to paragraph (1) or any other requirement of these Regulations, the operator and master shall ensure that:(a) a ship loading grain complies with the International Grain Code; and(b) subject to paragraph (4)(b), the ship has on board a document of authorization as required by the International Grain Code. In the case of a United Kingdom ship the document of authorization shall be issued by the Certifying Authority.
(3) Except when a ship may be in distress, the operator and master shall not permit a ship loaded with grain in bulk outside the United Kingdom to enter any port in the United Kingdom so laden, unless the ship has been loaded in accordance with the International Grain Code.
(4) No person shall order the commencement of the loading of grain into a ship in the United Kingdom unless he is satisfied that:(a) the ship has on board a document of authorization referred to in paragraph (2)(b); or(b) the master has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Certifying Authority that the ship will, in its proposed loading condition, comply with the appropriate requirements of the International Grain Code and has obtained a document to this effect signed by a surveyor of such a Certifying Authority.
(5) An operator or master who contravenes paragraph (2) or (3) shall be guilty of an offence.
(6) A person who contravenes paragraph (4) shall be guilty of an offence.