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Ques 1 What are the Good practices during loading a reefer cargoes

1. Reefer cargo should be loaded on board only under supervision of a

recognized surveyor.
2. Ensure that the hold is pre cooled to below the carriage temperature
before loading begins.
3. Products should be delivered in containers or lorries, or at least in
covered vehicles.
4. Damp, wet or stained and torn cartons should be inspected to
ascertain whether the cargo inside has already deteriorated
5. Transfer cargo as rapidly as possible from the quay or discharging
vessel to the hold
6. Contents of at least 5-10% cartons from each lot should be examined
on a random basis
7. frozen cargoes, their core temperature should be obtained by using
dial thermometers
8. Cartons with soft or dripping contents should be rejected.
9. In tropical climates, avoid loading for two or three hours either side of
noon & consider loading the vessel at night
10. During loading / discharging frost may form on brine pipes. This
should be brushed off carefully taking care it does not fall on cargo
11. The cargo should be protected from exposure to wind, rain & sun
until it is about to be transferred to the vessel
12. Temperature should be maintained during stoppages for meals

Ques 2. State the procedures for the preparations, stowage and

carriage of refrigerated cargo?
(Preprations)
1. All compartments thoroughly cleaned, dry and free from any odour and
taint.
2. Insulation inspected and any deficiencies made good.
 3. Hatch plugs, ceiling, clearings and ventilator plugs should he inspected
to ensure air tightness.
4. Scuppers should be “brine sealed”.
5. Bilges should be cleaned , dried and sweetened.
6. Cleanliness is essential:
7. All traces of bacteria and mould removed by washing down with
solution of carbolocene or formalene.
8. For fruit a sodium compound is sometimes used.
9. Some operators use a mild fumigant to destroy mould.
10. Floor battens should be laid in line with the air flow and spaced
according to the size of the cargo.
11. Wooden dunnage should be free from taint and bark.
12. For frozen goods, it is important that the dunnage is well cooled
before cargo is stowed on it.
13. Cargo should not come in contact with brine pipes.
14. After the compartments has been cleaned and pre-cooled, the
compartments must be inspected by an approved surveyor and a
loading certificate issued before any cargo is loaded

Procedures and guidelines for stowage of reefer containers shall be

adhered to.

1. Reefer cargo Handling In Port

Reefer containers shall be plugged in and supplied with ships power as
soon as practicable after loading. In case it is to be done by shore hands,
ships crew shall still closely monitor the operation and confirm that all
reefer containers are supplied with power earliest after loading

2. Reefer cargo care at sea

At sea, all reefer containers shall be monitored by checking physically at
least twice daily (weather permitting). All monitored data for each
reefer container on board shall be entered in a reefer monitoring log
and retained for three years. Some reefer containers with special cargo
(e.g., VIP cargo) come with instructions for more frequent monitoring
and reporting.
3. Commodities Shipped In Reefer Containers
Some cargoes may require controlled humidity (e.g. flower bulbs). In
such cases, many refrigeration units are only capable of reducing
humidity within the cargo space, and the settings should be applied
accordingly.

4. Reefer Cargo Temperature Recording

A Partlow recorder registers temperature on a pressure-sensitive
circular chart over 31 day period. If the voyage transit is expected to
exceed 31 days, care must be taken to ensure charts are replaced before
expiry. The first chart should be placed underneath the new chart to
build up a complete temperature record for the entire voyage up until
arrival at the final destination.

5. Reefer Cargo Maintaining Records

Monitoring the digital & chart temperatures of all reefer containers at
least twice a day. Daily reefer container temperature checklists should
be maintained, and printouts from monitoring unit should be preserved.

6. Reefer Cargo Care During Sea Transit

Reefer containers usually have their own refrigeration unit, with an air
or water-cooled heat exchanger. They have a data logger to record the
temperature. The logger may be in the form of a Partlow chart or a
digital logger. They usually contain high-value cargo, and any damage to
cargo would likely result in substantial claims.

7. Reefer Cargo Defrosting

During the operation of a refrigeration unit, a layer of ice will form on
the evaporator coils depending on the temperature set, the temperature
of the cargo, the amount of fresh air ventilation and the cargo humidity.
 The unit periodically enters a phase where heat is produced by a series
of electrical bars, allowing defrosting to occur. At such times, all fans are
turned off automatically to prevent heat from entering the cargo
compartment.

8. Basic check item prior stowing Reefer Cargo

Stowage location of reefers must be checked against vessels reefer
receptacle locations. In case reefer containers must be loaded in random
locations, it must be confirmed that monitoring and repair will be
possible during the voyage, and that vessel has sufficient extension
cables for providing power.

Carriage of refrigerated cargo

1. Unlike bulk cargoes, where damage may be immediately apparent when
discharge commences, damage to cargo in containers whether dry or
refrigerated will only likely be found at the destination when the
container is emptied.
2. Proper container monitoring and prompt action during a voyage will
provide helpful information as to whether the carrier should appoint a
surveyor to be present for opening of the container at the destination.
The condition of cargo at destuffing will provide useful information to
determine the most likely cause of damage to the cargo.
3. Continuous supply of power to the reefer containers is also of utmost
importance during the voyage. The vessel’s crew should regularly
monitor this and ensure that all incidents regarding the vessel’s diesel
generators and reefer circuit breakers and their associated alarm
systems are meticulously recorded.
4. It is also important to check that the defrost cycles are taking place at
regular intervals in order to ensure that there is no build-up of ice on
the evaporator coils which would cause malfunction of the refrigeration
system.
5. Proper container monitoring and record keeping during the voyage are
important. The records provide vital evidence in case of claim.

Ques3. Describe in detail how will hold preparation for reefer ships
be carried out?
 Depending upon the degree of littering, different methods of cleaning
are to be used; For normal carton-packed cargoes with or without
dunnage, it is usually enough to sweep the compartments. After meat
and fish cargoes washing is almost always necessary. Sweeping must be
carefully done and all dirt removed from the compartments. The holds
should be swept as they are emptied and the dirt should be removed
when the cargo has been discharged. If any cartons are broken and
dunnage is spread all over the compartments, the situation is more
complicated.
 Scuppers are to be cleaned and brine traps checked, tested and refilled.
Brine traps prevent warm air from entering the compartment and cold
air from escaping; at the time same time allowing drainage of water
 During cleaning it should be checked that the air flow channels are
cleaned and when carrying out repairs to them special attention should
be paid that the channels are not blocked
 The covers of the cargo hold lights should be intact. The hatch cover
hydraulic system should be free of leakages. The cargo holds should be
free of loose rust and paint chips.
 The insulation and permanent dunnage is to be checked and repaired as
required.
 The hatch covers should be weathertight. All the gratings should be
intact. Gratings should be free of moving and/ or tilting and/or sliding.
The grating decks should have an even surface (flush). All spar deck
beams should be intact and the spar decks should have an even surface
(flush).

Ques 4 Explain the difference between “Frozen” & ”Chilled” cargo

giving some examples. What precautions will you observe before and
during loading of refrigerated cargoes and also state the care taken
during the voyage?

 Frozen Cargoes: These cargoes are carried in frozen state and is also in
deep frozen prior to loading. The temperature maintained is about -8 to
-120C. This temperature keeps the growth of bacteria down. Deep
frozen cargoes are not living, and do not respire or produce heat, so the
task of the refrigeration system is much simpler.
  Chilled Cargoes:. These cargoes are carried at temperatures around -
20 to +60C. In case of chilled cargoes, to maintain the right temperature
is very important. The precise temperature control is more important
than frozen cargoes. Examples of cargoes in this category are: cheese,
eggs & fresh vegetables.

Ques 5 Preparations to be carried out prior to Loading Refrigerated

Cargoes:

 Reefer cargo should be loaded onboard only under the supervision of a

recognized surveyor.
 Cargo should not be allowed to wait for long time on the quay.
 Hold should be pre-cooled to temp below the carriage temp.
 Damp, wet and torn packages should be inspected if the cargo has
deteriorated. If the cargo is fine then only it should be loaded after re-
packing.
 Contents of at least 5-10% cartons should be examined from each hold
on a random basis.
 Cartons with soft or dripping contents should bedocume rejected.
 Refrigeration of holds should be turned on during long breaks and
during meal breaks.
 Once loaded, the cargo should be covered with tarpaulin.
 During operations, the frost formed on top of the bripe pipes should be
brushed carefully. It should not fall on top of the cargo.
 In tropical climates avoid loading in the noon. Try to load cargo during
night time.
 Upon completion of loading, the reefer chamber must be closed air tight
and cooling resumed immediately.

the procedure to be followed for maintaining the

temperature is that the compartment should be cooled down
prior to loading to a temperature slightly lower than the
transit temperature, Dunnage laid in the compartment
should also be cooled down otherwise it will stain the cargo.
Ques 6 What are the safety related precautions during loading on a
Car Carrier

1. During cargo operations, minimum number of people

must be on the decks. Those who are required to be on
the vehicle decks as part of their job should be well
versed with dangers and the systems in operation, for
their safety.
2. They should wear ‘high-visibility garments’.
Communication with drivers of vehicles is very
important, especially, to alert drivers about any danger.
3. Signalmen must be stationed at key points.
4. Personnel involved in controlling vehicles should avoid
obstructing driver’s view.
5. Drivers must perform a brake check
6. Ship’s staff should exercise special care to guide people
who are not familiar with vehicle-deck operations. Use
of mobiles or listening to music on headphones must not
be allowed.
7. Well illuminated, permanently marked signposted
walkways should be provided. Suitable barriers should
be in place adjacent to doorways.
8. The tanks of vehicles are not kept full to avoid spillage.
9. Cargo loaded within vehicles must be duly secured.
10. Ignition must be switched off upon reaching final
position
11. Fire patrol should be maintained on vehicle decks
during the passage unless a fixed fire detection system
is employed. A television surveillance system is
provided.
12. A high standard of crew fire drill should be
maintained. Adequate air circulation / ventilation system
serving the vehicle decks should be operative during
 cargo operation and during loaded voyage.To ensure
safety of ship:
13. Ventilators must be started well before loading
starts and must be left running.
14. The watertight door must be duly shut when not
required to be open.
15. The angle of the loading ramps must stay within
limits.
16. Cargo loading plan and sequence must be well
discussed amongst the stevedore and ship’s staff.

Ques 7 List the precautions to be taken for safe stowage and

securing of vehicles on Ro-Ro ships

Stowage:

 Shipper’s special advice or guidelines regarding handling and stowage of

individual vehicles should be observed.
 Vehicles should as far as it is possible, be aligned in a fore and aft
direction. Athwartship stowage should only be allowed with the express
permission of the Master having taken into account the anticipated
weather for the intended voyage and provided that adequate securing
arrangements can be made.
 Vehicles should not be stowed across water spray fire curtains or flood
barrier doors where fitted.
 Vehicles should be closely stowed athwartships so that, in the event of
any failure in the securing arrangements or from any other cause, the
transverse movement is restricted. However, sufficient distance should
be provided between vehicles to permit safe access for the crew and for
passengers getting into and out of vehicles and going to and from
accesses serving vehicle spaces.
  Parking brakes, where provided, of each element of a combination of
vehicles should be applied.
 Semi-trailers should not be supported on their landing legs during sea
transport unless the landing legs are specially designed for that purpose
and so marked.
 Semi-trailers should not be supported on their landing legs during sea
transportation unless the deck plating has adequate strength for the
point loadings, or there are suitable arrangements to spread the load.

Securing:

 Securing operations should be completed before the ship leaves the

berth.
 Persons appointed to carry out the task of securing vehicles should be
trained in the use of the equipment to be used and in the most effective
methods for securing different types of vehicles.
 Persons supervising the securing of vehicles should be conversant with
the contents of the “Cargo Securing Manual”.
 There should be an adequate supply of cargo securing gear which is
maintained in a sound working condition.
 Freight vehicles of more than 3.5 tonnes should be secured in all
circumstances where the expected conditions for the intended voyage
are such that movement of the vehicles relative to the ship could be
expected. So far as is reasonably practicable the securing arrangements
should be adequate to ensure that there will be no movement from any
cause which will endanger the ship.
 When freight vehicles are being stowed on an inclined deck, the wheels
should be chocked before lashing commences. During discharge,
sufficient restraints should remain in place until the tractor unit has
been connected, where appropriate.
 Lashings should not be attached to or led across lamp brackets, trailer
landing legs, kingpins, sideguards or bumpers except those specially
designed for this purpose.
 When wheel chocks are used to restrain a semi-trailer they should
remain in place until the semi-trailer is properly secured to the semi-
trailer towing vehicle.
  To avoid being damaged during loading and unloading all securing
equipment should be kept clear of moving vehicles on the vehicle deck.

Ques 8 Describe main hazard on a RO – RO vessel and give reasons for

same

1. Only a few internal bulkheads:

Since, the vehicles normally should be driven to reach the slot allotted,
large decks are required. These spaces prove very hazardous in the
event of hull breach & even in case of fire.
2. Cargo access doors:
The cargo access doors are often at the stern and bow, weakness in the
areas most vulnerable to damage. Watertightness can get impaired upon
slightest of denting, bending, etc especially when door also serves as a
ramp.
3. Stability:
The movement of heavy vehicles; ingress of water following damage or
from faulty watertight doors; large windage areas; etc. are the areas of
concern.
4. Cargo access doors very close to the waterline:
Heavy rolling, pitching, adverse list / trim, etc. can get the water enter
the hull with the slight leakage.
5. Cargo stowage and securing:
A heavy load which breaks loose can cause havoc, even breaking the
other lashings. A 10 tonner trailer can move to shipside like a torpedo.
6. High casualty index:
Ship’s rapid listing in post damage times; the lack of adequate
familiarization of passengers of the ship; makes the casualty number
very high.

Ques 9 What are general features of a PCC?