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Useful Information >> Bulk Carrier Safety
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Bulk Carrier Safety
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Recommendations emerging from IMO to make Bulk Carriers safer ships have now to be implemented.  Changes in classification rules overseen by IACS and given universal power both inside and outside IACS by endorsement from IMO have started to take effect.
 
IMO has issued two circulars from the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) on the subject of flooding of bulk carriers.  They are MSC/Circ. 995 – concerned with forward flooding, issued in 2001 as MSC/Circ.1143 – referring to early assessment of damage on bulk carriers and appropriate action to take and issued in January 2004.  995 was reproduced in UK as MGN 210(M).   Both circulars are aimed primarily at masters of bulk carriers.  The question is; have the masters yet received their copy? 
 
Additionally, BIMCO has published specific guidance on what to do in the event of activation of the Water Ingress Detection or Monitoring system (WIDS) – another measure introduced from the same set of debates at IMO implemented with unusual speed by amendments to SOLAS Chapter XII.  New regulations 12 and 13 cover the new measures entered into force on 1st July 2004.  The problem now was that the technical measures consisting of WIDS and remote control of de-watering systems forward of the collision bulkhead, were implemented before any advice had arrived on board. At time of writing this is still the case.  However BIMCO’s guidelines have now been presented to IMO and are available in the public arena.

These documents are available for download in PDF format.

TOPIC SIZE
The Nautical Institute Bulk Carrier Safety Poster 1.1Mb
Advice on the Dangers of Flooding of Forward Compartments [MGN 210(M)] 93kb
Guidelines on Early Assessment of Hull Damage and Possible Need for Abandonment of Bulk Carriers [MSC/Circ 1143] 125kb  
Water Ingress Monitoring - A Guide for Masters of Bulk Carriers 74kb
Manual on "Loading and unloading of solid bulk cargoes for terminal representatives” [IMO MSC/Circ. 1160] 297kb

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