a.  Safety of Ship and Crew The overriding consideration is for the safety of ship and crew. This implies that the cargo is placed with due regard to the stability characteristics of the ship and in such a way as to avoid excessive bending or shearing stresses in the loaded condition, bearing

Furthermore, the total 'weight loaded' must not exceed that which is permitted to meet the appropriate load line indications. Pre-planning calculations will be made with this in mind.

The distribution of cargo must always leave adequate access to crew and navigation spaces, nor must it prevent the correct closure of hatchways and hatches or accommodation doors through which water could enter in adverse weather.

In terms of routine in regard to the safety of ship and crew, attention is drawn to the Code of Sale Working Practices for Merchant Seamen. This code is produced by the Marine Division of the Department of Transport and is concerned with establishing and maintaining safe working conditions on board ships at sea and in port. The code is, in fact, authoritative guidance.

Among the subjects dealt with are the general precautions of cargo handling and working procedures; the operating precautions with winches, cranes and derricks and other forms of mechanical equipment used in cargo work; the care to be exercised with all forms of dangerous substances and the safety requirements with hatches, hatchways and hatch covers. The code is detailed over all the usual activities and functions on board a ship and, as such, provides a good background base for informative study. With cargo work routine procedures particularly can this be useful, and all officers would be advised to make reference to the copies of the code on board their ship.

Useful guidance is also to be found in the IPO. Code 'Accident prevention on board ship at Sea and in Port' in which the basic precautions associated with cargo work are described.

The provision of a copy of this Code for reference on board is strongly recommended. The complementary I.P.O. ('ode (referred to on pages 439 445) 'Safety & Health in Dock Work' is, likewise an essential document.

• Deck Crane Lifting Operations - 2009-06-29 - 06:57:11
• Clamps For Cargo Handling - 2009-03-06 - 06:02:42
• Marine Transport Cargo: Causes of Damage and Precautions - 2009-02-17 - 06:04:33
• Cargo Broken Stowage - 2009-02-16 - 03:08:59
• Preparation Of The Cargo Holds And Spaces Of A Vessel - 2009-02-12 - 11:11:25
• Cleaning The Cargo Holds And Spaces Of A Vessel - 2009-02-12 - 10:07:39
• Some Particular Aspects of Cargo Work Routine - 2009-02-12 - 04:59:47
• Duties of the Junior Cargo Officer - 2009-02-10 - 11:24:44
• Cargo officer responsibility - 2009-02-10 - 10:41:43

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