Specific vessel types

• Pages: 101-119

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24. Specific vessel types

24.1 General provisions

24.1.1. Reference should be made to Chapters 1-23 where applicable.

24.1.2. The appropriate national and international requirements should be

observed.

24.1.3. In all operations maintaining a high level of safety should be the first

priority. The operations and the hazards should be thoroughly explained to seafarers

carrying out their respective tasks and the safety precautions for each task should be

fully understood. In particular:

(a) where there is a high risk from fire and explosion rules restricting smoking and the

carriage of matches and cigarette lighters must be observed. Smoking should not

be permitted on board except in places and at times permitted by the master;

(b) spillages and leaks of hazardous substances, such as petroleum and some mineral

oils, should be attended to immediately. The shipowner should provide seafarers

with information and personal protective equipment for the safe handling of such

spillages;

(c) oil-soaked rags and other materials present a fire hazard and may spontaneously

ignite. They must be disposed of in compliance with MARPOL.1 Other

combustible rubbish should not be allowed to accumulate;

(d) cargo handling equipment, testing instruments, automatic and other alarm systems

should be well maintained;

(e) work which could cause sparking or which involves the use of heat should not be

undertaken unless authorized and after the work area has been tested and found

gas-free, or otherwise declared safe;

(f) where work in an enclosed space is necessary, the guidance in Chapter 10 should

be strictly followed;

(g) "permit to work" procedures should be adopted unless the work presents no undue

hazard (see Chapter 4);

(h) appropriate personal protective equipment should be worn.

24.1.4. Seafarers should be properly trained in accordance with applicable

national and international requirements.2 Training in emergency procedures and the use

of any special emergency equipment should be undertaken at regular intervals. This

should include medical first aid measures, in the event of accidental contact with

harmful substances and inhalation of dangerous gases or fumes.

24.1.5. Shipowners should provide the master and crew with adequate

instructions and information on all operations. Those on board responsible for the safe

1 MARPOL, Annexes I and V .

2 See the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for

Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended or revised, as well as associated resolutions.

Accident prevention on board ship

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loading and carriage of the cargo should also be provided with all the relevant

information pertinent to the cargo before it is loaded and about the precautions to be

taken during the voyage. The remainder of the crew should also be advised of any

precautions they should take. At all loading and discharging ports a safety checklist

should be reviewed by the master and an official from the marine terminal.1 Before

starting cargo loading, the stowage and loading procedure should be discussed and

agreed between the master and the terminal operator.

24.1.6. Shipowners should ensure that all ships are equipped with the correct

operational and loading manuals.

24.1.7. To minimize the risk of exposure to cargo which could irritate the skin,

seafarers should wear appropriate protective clothing and use barrier creams. They

should wash themselves and their clothing to remove residual cargo dust so that it is not

carried into the living spaces and ingested accidentally while eating. This is particularly

relevant for those materials identified as toxic in the IMDG Code.

24.1.8. At sea, lashings on deck, in cargo holds, in engine rooms or in stores,

should be checked regularly and tightened if necessary. During heavy weather, where

appropriate, the heading of the ship should be changed in order to facilitate the

tightening of the lashings to reduce potential hazards.

24.2. Bulk carriers and carriage of bulk cargoes

24.2.1. The dust created by certain cargoes, particularly in loading, discharging

or hold cleaning operations, may pose an explosion hazard and should be limited, as far

as possible, to the minimum.

24.2.2. Many solid bulk cargoes,2 some seemingly innocuous, can cause health

problems for seafarers in various ways. For example:

(a) ammonium nitrate fertilizers produce toxic gases upon decomposition;

(b) antimony ore dust is toxic if inhaled;

(c) barium nitrate dust on food is toxic if swallowed;

(d) castor oil beans (Ricinus communis) when handled may cause severe irritation of

the skin and eyes.

24.2.3. Portholes, doors, etc., should be kept closed in port if they permit cargo

dust to enter the ship's accommodation area.

24.2.4. Spaces used for the carriage of bulk cargoes should be treated as confined

or dangerous spaces. The procedures for entering such spaces, set out in Chapter 10,

should be strictly followed.

1 An example is the Ship-Shore Checklist for Oil Tankers, contained in Appendix A of the Safety

Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals (ISGOTT) published by the International Chamber of Shipping.

2 Appendix B of the IMO's Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes should be consulted.