KAISER ROME N.

IBARITA 51415- MARITIME LAW

BSMT-3 7:30-9:30 (TTH)

1. What is the purpose of International Convention on Load Lines?

In the 1966 Load Lines convention, adopted by IMO, provisions are made determining
the freeboard of ships by subdivision and damage stability calculations. The regulations
take into account the potential hazards present in different zones and different seasons.
The technical annex contains several additional safety measures concerning doors,
freeing ports, hatchways and other items. The main purpose of these measures is to
ensure the watertight integrity of ships' hulls below the freeboard deck. All assigned
load lines must be marked amidships on each side of the ship, together with the deck
line. Ships intended for the carriage of timber deck cargo are assigned a smaller
freeboard as the deck cargo provides protection against the impact of waves

2. How Port Authority exercise the control of load line requirements?

A load line or water line are lines on the side of a ship's hull that show where a ship can
be legally loaded to. 

There is ship equipment related to the load line that ensures weathertight integrity, buoyancy,
structure strength and crew protection for the safety of the ship, people and the environment.

Self-closing mechanisms on air-pipes that are not working are a common deficiency found during
inspections.

 Ballast tank vent on the deck of a ship has a hole.

 Ballast tank head vent on a ship is rusted and not working.

 Hatch securing not aligning

 When checking load line components regularly and before an inspection, make sure to check:

 Tank air pipe closing arrangements work.

 Hatch securing arrangements work.
 Hatch sealing arrangements work.
 The structure of the ship is in good shape.

If any of these are found to be deficient, your ship may be detained.