Candidate’s Name: National ID:

Ports and Maritime Organization

Seafarers' Affairs Directorate
Exam Code: SMCH-1400-01
Subject: Cargo Handling & Stowage Date: 01/03/1400
Rank: Second Officer (GT≥500) Time Allowed: 2.5 Hours
(Pass mark: 55)
Q Write in details the preparation and precautions necessary for loading a deck cargo? 20
1 mark
Requirements for carriage of all deck cargoes:
s
1) Excessive deck loading stresses to be avoided: load density of deck and / or hatch covers to
be considered, the hatches should be securely closed and cleated before loading over them. The
weight of the deck cargo should never exceed the maximum permissible load on the deck or
hatch covers. This can be avoided by spread of the weight using proper and sufficient dunnage
and deck shoring.
2) Adequate stability to be retained for all stages of the voyage:
i) The vertical distribution of the deck cargo, as it will cause rise of center of gravity of
the vessel.
ii) Absorption of water and / or ice accretion this one also causes rise of g hence
reduction of GM.
iii) Expected wind moments effect on the v / l due to high windage area.
iv) Clearing of water from deck in heavy weather, which causes water to be trapped
between cargoes, thus increase of weight on deck.
V) Consumption of stores, fuel, fresh water which increase free surface effect and rise
of G.
3 ) The weather-tight and water-tight integrity of the ship must not be impaired, special
attention should be paid to the protection of ventilator and air pipes. The cargo can shear the air
pipe and cause flooding of the tanks.
4 ) providing safe access to essential equipment and spaces such as:
i) Steering gear arrangements.
ii) Devices for remote operation of valves.
iii) Mooring arrangements.
iv) FFA and LSA.
V) crew accommodation and working spaces.
Vi) sounding pipes.
5) Height of deck cargo should not interfere with safe navigation of ship; it should not impair
keeping of an effective lookout.
Securing deck cargoes: Deck cargo must be secured so as to ensure that there will be no
movement of cargo in the worst weather that can be expected on the voyage. The lashings and
all fittings used for the attaching of lashings must be of adequate strength to be able to
withstand the strong inflicted upon the ship and cargo by such weather condition.
Access:
A v / l which carry deck cargo must provide access for crew between their quarters and the
working area of the ship. On ships without permanently constructed of such passage, a
walkway must be fitted over the deck cargo and effectively secured. The walkway must not be
less than one-meter-wide and it must have a set of guard rails or wires on each side, which are
supported by stanchions securely fitted to the walkway at intervals not exceeding 1.5m. The
guard rails or wires should be to a height of not less than 1m and each set should consist of
three courses. No opening below the lowest course should exceed 230mm in height and no
opening above that course should exceed 380mm in height.

Ref: Cargo work for marine operation, D.J House, page.271

Q Explain the Measures to reduce heeling moments resulting from shift of grain in a Filled
2 compartment and Partly filled compartment?
(a) filled compartment.
i) longitudinal divisions / shifting boards:
These are grain tight boards fitted on center line, Extending from deck head to 0.6m below the
grain Surface after an assumed shift of 15 º.

20
mark
s

ii) saucers:
It may be used instead of
longitudinal divisions except when
carrying oil seeds. In way of the
hatch square a saucer shaped
hollow is left in the bulk grain
surface. A separation cloth is laid
over the surface and the remaining
space filled with bagged grain or
other Suitable cargo. The bags are
to be sound, well filled and
securely closed and tightly stowed
against the Coamings and any
portable beams. The depth of
saucer Varies between 1 .2 m and 1. 8 m dependent upon the Breadth of the vessel and is
measured from the deck Line downwards.
iii) bulk bundle: This is an alternative to filling the saucer with bagged Grain. The saucer is
covered with a tarpaulin of specified Strength. This is then filled with bulk grain, the sides and

ends of tarpaulin are then drawn together over the upper surface and secured together.

(b) partly filled

compartments.
i) longitudinal divisions:
This shall extend to 1/8 of
the maximum breadth of
the Compartment above
and below the grain
surface. When Used to
limit the depth of over
stowing cargo it shall
Extend at least 0.6 m above
the grain surface.

ii) over stowing:

16.1. Where bagged grain or other suitable cargo is utilized for the purpose of securing partly
filled compartments, the free grain surface shall be level and shall be covered with a separation
cloth or equivalent or by a suitable platform. Such platform shall consist of bearers spaced not
more than 1.2 m apart and 25 mm boards laid thereon spaced not more than 100 mm apart.
Platforms may be constructed of other materials provided they are deemed by the
Administration to be equivalent.
16.2. The platform or separation cloth shall be topped off with bagged grain tightly stowed and
extending to a height of not less than one sixteenth of the maximum breadth of the free grain
surface or 1.2 m, whichever is the greater.
16.3. The bagged grain shall be carried in sound bags which shall be well filled and securely
closed.
16.4. Instead of bagged grain, other suitable cargo tightly stowed and exerting at least the same
pressure as bagged grain stowed in accordance with A 16.2 may be used.
 iii) strapping or
lashing:
.1. The grain shall be trimmed and levelled to the extent that it is very slightly crowned and
covered with burlap separation cloths, tarpaulins or the equivalent.
.2. The separation cloths and/or tarpaulins shall overlap by at least 1.8 m.
.3. Two solid floors of rough 25 mm x 150 mm to 300 mm lumber shall be laid with the top
floor running longitudinally and nailed to an athwartships bottom floor. Alternatively, one solid
floor of 50 mm lumber, running longitudinally and nailed over the top of a 50 mm bottom
bearer not less than 150 mm wide, may be used. The bottom bearers shall extend the full
breadth of the compartment and shall be spaced not more than 2.4 m apart. Arrangements
utilizing other materials and deemed by the Administration to be equivalent to the foregoing
may be accepted.
.4. Steel wire rope (19 mm diameter or equivalent), double steel strapping (50 mm x 1.3 mm
and having a breaking load of at least 49 kN), or chain of equivalent strength, each of which
shall be set tightly by means of a 32 mm turnbuckle, may be used for lashings. A winch
tightener, used in conjunction with a locking arm, may be substituted for the 32 mm turnbuckle
when steel strapping is used, provided suitable wrenches are available for setting up as
necessary. When steel strapping is used, not less than three crimp seals shall be used for
securing the ends. When wire is used, not less than four clips shall be used for forming eyes in
the lashings.

Ref: Cargo Work for Maritime Operations. D.J. House, Page.107 & Grain code

Q a- Explain Segregation of cargo and its purposes? 10

3 mark
b- What is meant by "Separation of cargo" and How to separate the cargo?
s
a)
10
Segregation of cargo: mark
s
Segregation is, the stowage of cargoes in separate parts of the ship so that one can not
 damage the other because of its inherent characteristics. Wet cargo must be kept away
from dry cargoes. Segregation of light and heavy cargoes is necessary with respect to
their vertical positions, heavy items must always be given bottom stowage in any
compartment.
Purpose of segregation:
1- To avoid contamination of sensitive cargo, such as tea flour, tobacco etc.
2- To avoid contamination of certain cargo with others such as cargo giving off
flammable vapors.
3- To fulfill requirements of certain cargo such as dangerous goods.
4- To fulfill requirements of special cargo such as medical supplies, drugs, surgical
instrument, bank notes.

b)
Separation of cargo:
It is often necessary to separate different parcels of the same cargo. The idea of separation is to
ensure that the cargo parcels, although maybe looking the same, are not allowed to become
inadvertently mixed. The method of the separation depends on the type of cargo. For instance
bagged cargoes are frequently separated by separation cloths made of burlap.
Steel rails can be separated by chalk marks, water paint or strands of wire.
Bulk cargo is often separated by old tarpaulins and separation cloths. Bales can be separated by
rope yarns.
Timber can be separated by water paint. Polythen sheeting supplied in rolls of various colors is
being used in some trades to separate cargoes for different parts.

Purpose of separation:
1- To avoid short landing.
2- To avoid over landing.
3- To avoid over carriage.
4- If optional cargo loaded, separation to be done.
5- To identify cargo for different consignees.
6- To identify cargo for different ports of discharge.

Ref: Cargo Work for Maritime Operations. D.J. House, Pages.91, 111, 262, 267
Q Define the following segregation groups of dangerous goods:
4
 Stow away from,
 Separated from Each
5
 Separated longitudinally by an intervening complete compartment or hold.
Mark
 On deck or under deck
s
Stow away from: that is separated by minimum distance of 3m between the two
consignments, but may be carried in the same hold or compartment.
Separated from: where the two consignments must be in separate holds or in the same
 hold provided an intervening fire resistant deck intervenes. If loaded on deck a
separation by a distance of 6m horizontally.
Separated longitudinally by an intervening complete compartment or hold which
means that vertical separation alone will not suffice. Stowage on deck means the upper
deck or main deck, and should be at least 24m longitudinally distance.
On deck or under deck: less risk. These type of D.G can be loaded on deck or
under deck but it is recommended to stow them under deck wherever possible.

Ref: Cargo Work for Maritime Operations. D.J. House, Pages.259, IMDG code

Q 20
Find amount of crude oil having RD = 0.98 t/m3 which can be loaded in a tank with
5 mark
following dimension leaving 0.2m ullage for cargo expansion? L = 15m , B = 10m , s
H = 4.5 m

Volume of oil = 15 × 10 × (4.5 - 0.2) = 645 m 3

Weight = vol × r.d = 645 × 0.98 = 632.1 mt.

Good Luck