Much of this work has concentrated on the structural hull details, stresses experienced as the result of loading and discharging cargoes, damage to structure and protective coatings arising from discharging cargoes, poor maintenance and subsequent inadequate inspection of the ship structure.



The outcome of this work has been the introduction of a new Chapter XII of SOLAS covering bulk carrier ship safety and enhanced survey procedures for bulk carriers. The chapter highlighting strengthening of hatch covers in the forward part of the ship ,structural requirement, adequacy of bow heights provide additional security against cargo damage, damage stability guideline and other requirements.




Fig: Bulk carrier encountering rough sea conditions

Guidance on early assessment of hull damage and possible abandonment

There have been cases in the past where ships carrying bulk cargoes have been lost due to a loss in hull integrity. This, combined with the lack of prompt action, has resulted in lives being lost. Early assessment of the situation is therefore imperative, combined with alerting a maritime rescue coordination centre, alerting all personnel onboard and making preparations for evacuation. This is of particular importance for single skin bulk carriers which may not be capable of withstanding flooding of any cargo hold.

Heavy cargoes such as iron ore or heavy break bulk cargoes, such as steel, make a ship particularly vulnerable. This is due to the relatively small volume of cargo compared to the large volume of unoccupied space that provides the potential for large volumes of water to destroy the ship’s buoyancy, stability or structural integrity.


Assessment

Where flooding occurs, or is likely to occur, the master must rapidly assess the damage by being alert to water ingress and its consequences. Such an assessment may be carried out by the following:

Unusual Motion or Attitude:

If a ship takes on an unusual trim or heel, or if her motions become changed, breach of the hull envelope should be suspected immediately. Signs may include:

• Unusual collections of water on decks maybe indicating trim or heel abnormality.
• Sudden changes of heel or trim will indicate flooding or in smaller ships with lighter cargoes, it may indicate cargo shift.
• Jerky lateral motions can be indicative of large scale sloshing as would be the case if a hold were flooded.
• On smaller ships, slowing of the ship’s roll period may indicate excessive water within the hull – a serious threat to stability. Ships fitted with GM meters should be able to identify any unexpected changes in GM.
• Increases of water boarding forward decks may indicate flooding of a forward compartment. Trim and freeboard changes are notoriously difficult to assess from an after bridge.

Methods of Detection

• Hatch covers may be dislodged by pressure and/or sloshing from within a hold if flooding occurs through side shell or bulkhead.



• Sudden pressurisation of compartments adjoining those that are damaged or flooded will indicate failure of internal subdivision, most notably bulkheads.



• Spaces may be monitored, either using gauging or water ingress alarms. Forward store spaces can also be monitored audibly using “talkback” telephones that may be fitted in forward spaces. Anchor impacts and water in the space can be detected using telephones of the type that remain active until switched off from the bridge.



• Hull Stress Monitors, where fitted, may be able to detect unexpected longitudinal hull girder bending. Torsional stresses may also be detected through differential changes between port and starboard strain gauges.



• Visual monitoring from the bridge using binoculars, where fitted, by closed circuit television, can give indication of abnormal water on deck and local damage. However, assessment of trim or freeboard using this method is difficult.



• Assessment of trim changes can, in certain conditions, be detected by noting the level of the horizon, when visible, against a known reference point on the foremast.



• Draught and trim can be assessed using draught gauges. Changes are much more discernible using this method than by visual means from above decks.

Early Readiness for Evacuation

In the event of identifying, or even suspecting, that the ship may have sustained damage, the ship’s personnel should immediately be called to their emergency stations. A HIGH PRIORITY SHOULD BE PLACED ON PREPARING EQUIPMENT FOR EVACUATION. Abandonment should, however, only be invoked on the spoken orders of the Master following assessment of the risk.

Contact with a Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) and the management office should be made early if the Master has any suspicion that the ship is damaged. An URGENCY (Pan-Pan) signal is justified and this should be upgraded to DISTRESS (Mayday) if the ship is confirmed as damaged.


Training

Masters should place a strong emphasis on evacuation training so that donning of protective suits and lifejackets, launching of survival craft, and operation of EPIRBs and SARTs is a familiar process to all ship’s personnel. Also included should be shutdown procedures for main and auxiliary machinery, which can, if left running, hinder launching of survival craft.


Investigation

Masters may wish to investigate any suspected water ingress more closely but preparations for evacuating the ship should be made WITHOUT DELAY and concurrent with any investigation. Remote methods of observation are preferable to sending personnel onto decks, particularly in bad weather and / or at night. Deck floodlights should be used if necessary to try and identify abnormalities. Detrimental effects on watch keeper’s night vision are of secondary importance in such circumstances.

When a loss of hull integrity is known or suspected, personnel should not be sent onto decks that are being regularly submerged or deeply awash. In such circumstances the ship should be regarded as in imminent danger and priority should be given to preparations for evacuation.

Where water ingress alarms are fitted, full instructions must be posted by the alarm panel which will normally be located on the bridge. All officers are to be made aware of the alarm settings, correct operation and testing of this equipment.


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