Luminous

iTrader: (3)

Oh yes, we can save the world on this site. We have such diverse expert knowledge on every topic. We even provide it for free

Here is another such piece of advice: "They should have done better"

Beastie

iTrader: (2)

Its not quite as simple as that, it is what is regarded as the Freeboard deck that the watertight integrity is maintained to. This is normally the main deck of the vessel, with this being a passenger ship with many decks above then the freeboard deck is probably the deck above the lower set of scuttles (portholes) that you can see.

MCA say thus:


Guidance & Regulations / M Notices / MGNs /
CHAPTER 2 (CONSTRUCTION & WATERTIGHT INTEGRITY) back to Chapter 1

2.1 CONSTRUCTION AND STRUCTURAL STRENGTH

2.1.1 General Requirements for Structural Strength

2.1.1.1 The structural strength and construction of every fishing vessel and the disposition of bulkheads should be adequate for all foreseeable operating conditions in service. The scantlings, arrangements and construction for the hull, bulkheads, superstructures, deckhouses, machinery casings, companionways and other structures should be sufficient to withstand all operational loads arising during the vessel’s service and should be to the satisfaction of the Certifying Authority.

2.1.1.2 The owners are to inform the Certifying Authority if the vessel is to be operated in areas subject to sea ice conditions. Hull construction and stability requirements will be specially considered for vessels operating in such areas.

2.1.2 Construction Materials

2.1.2.1 A vessel may be constructed of wood, fibre reinforced plastic (FRP), aluminium alloy or steel or appropriate combinations of such materials.

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2.1.2.2 Proposals to use any other construction material should be submitted to the Certifying Authority for consideration and approval.

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2.1.3 New Vessels

2.1.3.1 Hull construction and arrangement drawings should be reviewed and approved by the Certifying Authority.

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2.1.3.2 The hull should be surveyed during construction by the Certifying Authority to verify compliance with the approved drawings. An appropriate certificate of construction should be issued on completion of build.

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2.1.4 Existing Vessels

2.1.4.1 An existing vessel will be considered to be of acceptable structural strength if it is a UK fishing vessel and the Certifying Authority has determined that it is in a good state of repair for the purposes of this Code. E


2.1.5 Decks

2.1.5.1 Freeboard deck

2.1.5.1.1 The freeboard deck should be of watertight construction and should extend from stem to stern with positive freeboard throughout in any condition of loading of the vessel.

2.1.5.1.2 The freeboard deck may be stepped, recessed or raised provided the stepped, recessed or raised portion is of watertight construction.

2.1.5.1.3 Minimum requirements for freeboard are given in section 3.2. N

2.1.5.2 Weather deck

2.1.5.2.1 The weather deck may be the freeboard deck or other watertight deck above that is exposed to the weather.

2.1.6 Watertight Bulkheads

2.1.6.1 Vessels should be provided with a watertight collision bulkhead in the fore part of the vessel positioned to the satisfaction of the Certifying Authority.

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2.1.6.2 The bulkhead arrangement of an existing vessel is acceptable provided that such arrangement continues to remain efficient in service.

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2.1.6.3 The main and auxiliary machinery essential for the propulsion and safety of the vessel should be situated in a watertight machinery compartment with watertight bulkheads provided at the fore and aft positions of that space.

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2.1.6.4 Such bulkheads should extend up to the freeboard deck and the number of openings fitted therein should be the minimum compatible with the safe operational requirements of the vessel.

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2.1.6.5 The strength of the bulkheads should be adequate to withstand a head of water to the satisfaction of the Certifying Authority.

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2.1.6.6 In vessels constructed of wood, a collision bulkhead and bulkheads at the fore and aft ends of the machinery space, should be provided. The after bulkhead of the machinery space may terminate on a horizontal, flat that extends aft to the stern, above the line of shafting. The bulkheads and flat referred to in this section should be of adequate strength and gasketed and/or caulked to prevent significant leaks or flooding.

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2.1.6.7 When it is necessary for pipes, cables, etc. to penetrate watertight bulkheads, arrangements should be made to maintain the watertight integrity of the bulkhead in way of such penetrations. The collision bulkhead should have valves fitted to all pipe penetrations and these should be capable of operation from a readily accessible position.

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2.1.6.8 A door fitted in a watertight bulkhead should be of watertight construction and be kept closed at sea.

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2.1.6.9 Doors are not permitted in the collision bulkhead unless fitted in a bulkhead extension above the freeboard deck, such doors may be of weathertight construction and should be kept closed at sea.

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2.1.7 Watertight Doors

2.1.7.1 The number of doors fitted in any watertight bulkhead should be the minimum compatible with the normal operation of the ship. Every such door should be efficiently constructed and be watertight when closed.

2.1.7.2 Doors of hinged or sliding type may be used except that doors of the hinged type will only be allowed when there is no operational requirement for the door to be kept open at sea, such doors should be operable from both sides. Sliding type doors should be operable from an accessible position above the freeboard deck.

2.1.7.3 All doors should be capable of being efficiently operated when the vessel is listed up to 15 degrees either way.

2.2 WATERTIGHT AND WEATHERTIGHT INTEGRITY

2.2.1 Openings and Closing Arrangements

2.2.1.1 The number of openings in the watertight structure of the vessel should be the minimum consistent with its safe and practical operation and, when fitted such openings should be provided with effective closing arrangements in accordance the requirements of this Code.


2.2.1.2 Hatches and doorways which may be open at sea, should normally be arranged as near as practicable to the vessel’s centreline. Due consideration should be given to the risk of down flooding

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2.2.1.3 Particular attention should be paid to ensure that accesses and openings to machinery spaces are protected by strong and efficient structures which should contain weathertight or watertight means of closure, dependent on the position of the opening.


2.2.1.4 Vessels with a wheelhouse fitted directly on the freeboard deck should be provided with a suitable means of closure to any freeboard deck opening within the wheelhouse space. Additionally the means of drainage of the wheelhouse space should preferably be directly overboard.

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2.2.1.5 Wheelhouses which are fitted over structures above the freeboard deck should have arrangements to allow water to rapidly drain down to the freeboard deck and then directly over the side.

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2.2.1.6 Openings in the freeboard or exposed weather decks should be properly framed and efficiently enclosed by either superstructures, casings of adequate strength or hatch covers meeting the requirements of section 2.2.2.


2.2.1.7 Coaming heights appropriate to the position of the openings should be provided as in section 2.2.4.


2.2.1.8 Openings in weathertight boundaries for warps or wires used in fishing operations should be kept as small as practicable and should not be submerged with a vessel heel of up to 40 degrees.

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2.2.2 Hatchway Covers

2.2.2.1 A hatchway that gives access to spaces below the freeboard deck should be of efficient construction and be provided with effective means of weathertight closure.


2.2.2.2 A coaming height appropriate to the position of the hatch opening should be provided as in section 2.2.4.


2.2.2.3 A cover to a hatchway may be of hinged, rolling or sliding type and should be permanently secured to the structure of the vessel. Every such cover should be fitted with gaskets and clamping devices, or other equally effective means that are both sufficient to retain the cover in position and ensure weathertight integrity when closed. Discharge hatches that are not open at sea may be of the “lift-off” type, provided they are weathertight when closed.

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2.2.2.4 For new vessels the covers should be of steel or equivalent material and of sufficient strength to accommodate the expected service loading.

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2.2.2.5 The covers provided on an existing vessel will be acceptable provided they continue to remain efficient in service.

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2.2.2.6 Weathertight hatches on exposed freeboard and superstructure decks should be kept closed at sea, when not in use.



2.2.3 Weathertight Doors

2.2.3.1 All access openings in the external bulkheads of enclosed superstructures and other outer structures protecting openings in the freeboard deck should be fitted with doors of steel or other equivalent material. These doors should be permanently and strongly attached to the bulkhead and so framed, stiffened and fitted that the whole structure of which they are part, is of equivalent strength to the unpierced bulkhead and weathertight when closed. The means for securing these doors weathertight should consist of gaskets and clamping devices or other equivalent means, permanently attached to the bulkhead or to the doors themselves and arranged so that they may be operated easily and rapidly from each side of the bulkhead.

2.2.3.2 A coaming height appropriate to the position of the door should be provided as in section 2.2.4.

2.2.3.3 Weathertight doors on the freeboard deck should normally be kept closed at sea.

2.2.4 Heights of Hatchway Coamings and Sills to Weathertight Doors

2.2.4.1 Subject to section 2.2.4.2, every hatchway and door sill on the exposed freeboard deck should have a coaming of substantial construction and the height of the coaming above the deck should not be less than 460 millimetres. On exposed first tier superstructure decks the height of the coamings should not be less than 100 millimetres.

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2.2.4.2 The height of the hatch coamings specified in section 2.2.4.1 may be reduced, or the coamings omitted, provided the safety of the vessel is not thereby impaired and provided that watertight covers are fitted. Such covers should be kept as small as reasonably practicable, be permanently attached by hinges or equivalent means and capable of being rapidly closed watertight.

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2.2.4.3 Coamings may also be reduced or omitted for hatches that are provided on freeboard decks when the hatchway is positioned within a shelter, superstructure or deckhouse provided that such spaces are maintained weathertight whilst at sea and providing that flooding hazards will not arise due to activities within those spaces.

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2.2.4.4 The heights of sills to doors provided in exposed companionways, superstructures, deckhouses and machinery casings that give access to spaces leading below the freeboard deck should not be less than those specified for hatchway coamings in section 2.2.4.1 for a similar position. For other spaces the heights of door sills may be reduced provided:

i)there is no access to spaces leading below the freeboard deck; and

ii)the spaces are small; and

iii)provided the safety of the vessel is not thereby impaired.


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2.2.4.5 The heights of coamings or sills may be required to be increased when a freeboard of less than that required by section 3.2 has been accepted.

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2.2.4.6 Flush type deck scuttles, hatches or manholes may be fitted to exposed freeboard or superstructure decks provided they are of watertight construction, are closed at sea and are permanently attached to the hull.

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2.2.4.7 The coaming heights for doors and hatches on existing vessels should be maintained in accordance with the requirements of The Fishing Vessels (Safety Provisions) Rules 1975.

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2.2.5 Sidescuttles (Portholes) and Windows

2.2.5.1 Side scuttles to spaces below the freeboard deck and to enclosed superstructures, deckhouses or companionways on the freeboard deck should be fitted with hinged deadlights capable of being closed watertight.

2.2.5.2 Every side scuttle should be fitted in a position such that its sill is above a line drawn parallel to the freeboard deck at side having its lowest point 1 metre above the highest load waterline.

2.2.5.3 Side scuttles liable to damage from fishing gear or equipment should be suitably protected.

2.2.5.4 Side scuttles, glasses and deadlights should meet the requirements of ISO 1095, ISO 1751 and ISO 5780, type B (medium duty grade), in respect of nominal size and toughened safety glass thickness, or an equivalent standard.

2.2.5.5 Side scuttles fitted in exposed areas and in the forward bulkheads of freeboard deck erections should be of the non-opening type.

2.2.5.6 Windows should not be fitted below the freeboard deck.

2.2.5.7 If windows are fitted in the forward or after bulkheads of exposed freeboard deck erections, they should be provided with efficient means of protection.

2.2.5.8 Windows and their frames should meet the requirements of ISO 3903, ISO 3254 and ISO 5779, type E (heavy duty grade), in respect of nominal size and toughened safety glass thickness, or an equivalent standard.

2.2.5.9 Wheelhouse windows should not be fabricated using polarised or tinted glass, although portable tinted screens may be employed if desired. Recommendations are contained in M Notice 760 – Tinted Glass for Wheelhouse and Bridge Front Windows.

2.2.6 Scuppers, Inlets and Discharges

2.2.6.1 The number of inlets and discharges should be kept to the operational minimum.

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2.2.6.2 Each scupper or discharge leading through the hull from spaces below the freeboard deck or from within an enclosed superstructure or deckhouse on the freeboard deck should have an automatic non-return valve fitted at the hull with a positive means of closure from an accessible position.

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2.2.6.3 Each sea inlet valve should be fitted with a positive means of closure from an accessible position.

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2.2.6.4 In machinery spaces, controls for main and auxiliary sea inlets essential for the operation of machinery may be controlled locally. The controls should be readily accessible, above the floor plates, and be provided with indicators showing whether the valves are open or closed.

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2.2.6.5 If valves are not fitted above the floor plates, rapid and practical means should be provided to allow for the valve to be operated from floor plate level.

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2.2.6.6 Soil and other waste water drainage should be so arranged and fitted with such water seals, air vents and storm valves as are necessary to prevent siphoning, blowback or ingress of water. The hull closing arrangements should be as detailed in section 2.2.6.2.

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2.2.6.7 If scuppers from open decks penetrate the hull below the freeboard deck they should be made from piping of substantial thickness.


2.2.6.8 Refer also to sections 4.1.11 (Seawater Systems), 4.3.2.10 and 4.3.2.11 (Bilge Systems) and 11.1.3 (Pollution).


2.2.6.9 Existing vessel arrangements will continue to be acceptable provided that valves fitted at hull penetrations remain both accessible and efficient in service.

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2.2.7 Ventilators

2.2.7.1 The minimum height above deck of ventilators, other than machinery space ventilators, should be 760 millimetres on an exposed freeboard deck, and 450 millimetres on an exposed first tier superstructure deck.


2.2.7.2 Machinery space ventilators should be led as high as is reasonable and practicable and preferably be fitted well inboard, the angle of initial downflooding to the machinery spaces should not be less than 40 degrees.

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2.2.7.3 All ventilators should be of substantial construction and be provided with permanently attached means of weathertight closure except that weathertight closing appliances need not be fitted to ventilators with coamings extending more than 4.5 metres above the freeboard deck or more than 2.3 metres above the superstructure deck. Fireflaps should be fitted in such coamings in accordance with section 5.1.4 (Ventilation Systems).


2.2.7.4 Refer also to sections 4.1.14 (Ventilation), 5.1.4 (Ventilation Systems), 5.1.7 (Means for Stopping Machinery), 5.1.8.4.8 (Mechanical Ventilation), 5.1.8.9.2 (Ventilation of Hazardous Compartments), 6.1.7 (Ventilation of Workplaces), 10.1.1.2, 10.1.1.4 and 10.1.2.7 (Ventilation of Crew Accommodation).



2.2.8 Air Pipes

2.2.8.1 The lowest point at which water might gain access through an air pipe should be not less than 760 millimetres above the exposed freeboard deck nor less than 450 millimetres above the exposed superstructure deck. The exposed portions of the air pipes should be of substantial construction.

2.2.8.2 A reduced height may be accepted if it can be shown that the rule air pipe height would interfere with essential vessel operations and provided that an adequate height above the deck is maintained. Alternatively consideration may be given to relocating the air pipe inboard.

2.2.8.3 Air pipes should be provided with an efficient means of weathertight closure and provision should be made to prevent overpressure or vacuum occurring when the tanks are being filled or emptied.

2.2.8.4 Refer also to sections 4.1.13.3, 4.1.13.5, 4.1.13.7, 8 & 9 and 5.1.8.3.2 & 3 (Air Pipes to Fuel Tanks).

2.3 WATER FREEING ARRANGEMENTS

2.3.1 General

2.3.1.1 When freeboard or first tier superstructure decks are fitted with bulwarks, deck houses, erections or other arrangements such that wells are formed and shipped water may be retained onboard, then ample provision should be made for rapidly freeing the decks of this water and for draining them.

2.3.1.2 The means by which this water is freed may be by freeing ports, open rails, scuppers or other suitable arrangement.

2.3.1.3 In a vessel in which freeing ports cannot be fitted, other efficient means of clearing trapped water from the vessel should be provided to the satisfaction of the Certifying Authority.

2.3.2 Freeing Ports

2.3.2.1 Where bulwarks on weather parts of the working deck form wells, the minimum freeing port area (A) in square metres, on each side of the vessel for each well on the working deck should be determined in relation to the length (l) and height of bulwark in the well as follows:

i) A= K x l (l need not be taken as greater than 0.7 L).

Where K = 0.07 for vessels of 24 metres in length

K = 0.035 for vessels of 12 metres in length

L = registered length of vessel

The value of K should be obtained by linear interpolation from between the two values of lengths given above.

ii)(a)Where the bulwark is more than 1200 millimetres in average height the required area should be increased by 0.004 square metres per metre of length of well for each 100 millimetres difference in height.

(b)Where the bulwark is less than 900 millimetres in average height, the required area may be decreased by 0.004 square metres per metre of length of well for each 100 millimetres difference in height.


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2.3.2.2 The freeing port area calculated according to section 2.3.2.1 should be increased where the Certifying Authority considers that the vessel’s sheer is not sufficient to ensure that the deck is rapidly and effectively freed of water.

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2.3.2.3 Subject to the approval of the Certifying Authority the minimum freeing port area for each well on the superstructure deck should be not less than one-half the area (A) given in section 2.3.2.1.

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2.3.2.4 Freeing ports should be so arranged along the length of bulwarks as to ensure that the deck is freed of water most rapidly and effectively. Lower edges of freeing ports should be as near the deck as practicable.


2.3.2.5 Poundboards and means for stowage of the fishing gear should be arranged so that the effectiveness of freeing ports will not be impaired. Poundboards should be so constructed that they can be locked in position when in use and should not hamper the discharge of shipped water.


2.3.2.6 Freeing ports over 300 millimetres in depth and length greater than 450 millimetres should be fitted with bars spaced not more than 230 millimetres nor less than 150 millimetres apart or provided with other suitable protective arrangements. Freeing port covers, if fitted, should be of suitable construction. If devices are considered necessary for locking freeing port covers during fishing operations they should be arranged to the satisfaction of the Certifying Authority and easily operable from a readily accessible position.

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2.3.2.7 In vessels intended to operate in areas subject to icing, covers and protective arrangements for freeing ports should be capable of being easily removed to restrict ice accretion. The size of openings and means provided for removal of these protective arrangements should be to the satisfaction of the Certifying Authority.


2.3.2.8 If deck erections within a well limit the volume of water that may be retained onboard then the freeing port area may be reduced proportionally provided that such erections do not in themselves contribute to water retention.

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2.3.2.9 On existing vessels the areas of freeing ports and their arrangements will continue to be accepted provided that such arrangements continue to remain efficient in service.

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gam1415

Previous reports, both on TV and in the newspapers, describe the damage as a crack, rather than a hole, the size of a fist. Overlooking the oo'er missus element of this description, it could indicate the width of a damaged area which might more than one compartment long. How far would the ship have to list before the bilge pump inlets were useless?

RB5_245

As long as there is enough water to cause such a list there would normally be a submerged bilge suction. Generally the bilges in each compartment are sectioned up in a number of 'wells' even on a heavy starboard list the starboard well suction would still be underwater.

There should also be a pump capable of being supplied from the emergency switchboard, which is in a seperate compartment to the main switchboards and supplied by a self contained generator. Even with the main switchboards damaged by water there should still have been a pump.

nooobyscooby

Stonking post - must win the award for the longest ever, so I thought I'd beat it by quoting it!

And then do an edit as well!!

gpssti4

iTrader: (6)

"Care is to be taken on the upper deck, scupper removed."

Shark Man

Just in case anyone has a cordless mouse; this will finish off the batteries

RB5_245

I'm not reading this thread until the next page, just got an RSI from the touchpad