Load Line Convention 2006

LOAD LINE
CONVENTION OF
2006
Shipping safety and environmental protection

The first International Convention on Load Lines, adopted in

1930, was based on the principle of reserve buoyancy,
although it was recognized then that the freeboard should also
ensure adequate stability and avoid excessive stress on the
ship's hull as a result of overloading. April 5, 1966 Load Lines
convention, adopted by IMO, provisions are made for
determining the freeboard of ships by subdivision and damage
stability calculations.
 ADOPTION APRIL
5,1966
The IMO adopted the 1966 Load Lines agreement,
which included rules for calculating the freeboard of
ships using subdivision and damage stability
calculations. The restrictions accommodate for the
potential dangers that exist in different zones and
seasons. The technical annex includes extra safety
precautions for doors, releasing ports, hatchways, and
other things. The primary objective of these procedures
is to guarantee the watertight integrity of ship hulls
beneath the freeboard deck.
STRUCTURE OF THE LOAD
LINE CONVENTION 1966/88

• The LL Convention contains 34 articles directing the actions of the

signatory States concerning the implementation of the convention.
• Annex I contains the regulations for determining the load lines and is
divided into four chapters:
Chapter I - General regulations concerning application
Chapter II - Conditions of assignment of freeboard
Chapter III - Freeboards
Chapter IV - Special requirements for timber freeboards
• Annex II contains regulation zones, areas and seasonal periods
• Annex III contains the forms of certificates required under LL 66/8.
 ENTRY INTO FORCE
JULY 21, 1968
Adopted in November 1988, the 1988 Protocol came into
force on February 3, 2000. In addition to harmonizing the
Convention's survey and certification requirements with
those of SOLAS and MARPOL, the 1988 Protocol revised
certain regulations in the technical Annexes of the Load
Lines Convention and introduced the tacit amendment
procedure, so that amendments adopted enter into force six
months after the deemed date of acceptance unless they are
rejected by one-third of Parties. Typically, two years pass
between adoption and acknowledged approval.
PRINCIPLES OF THE LOAD LINE
CONVENTION?
The four principles of the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 as modified
by the Protocol of 1988 relating thereto, (hereafter: LL66/88) can be summarized as:

• Adequate structural strength

• Protection of safe means of access for the crew
• Watertight integrity of ship's hull below freeboard deck
• Preserve reserve buoyancy by establishing minimum permissible freeboards.
TO WHICH SHIPS DOES THE LOAD
LINE CONVENTION APPLY?
The convention applies to the following ships engaged in
international voyages:
• ships registered in countries the governments of which
are contracting governments
• ships registered in the territories to which the current
convention is extended under Article 32
• unregistered ships flying the flag of a State, the
government of which is a contracting government
Load Line Convention 2006
WHICH VESSELS ARE
EXEMPT FROM THE LOAD
LINE CONVENTION?

The Load Line Convention does not apply to

the following vessels:
• Ships of war
• New ships of less than 24m
• Existing ships of less than 150 gt
• Pleasure yachts not engaged in trade
• Fishing vessels
 CERTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION
SCHEDULE UNDER LL 66/88
Initial surveys must be conducted before a ship is put The freeboard marks are correctly and permanently
into service. This ensures that the structure, indicated.
equipment, materials, scantling and markings comply The required information concerning the loading
with the current convention. and discharging of cargo is provided.
Annual surveys must be undertaken within three Renewal surveys must be conducted at intervals not
months of the anniversary to ensure that: exceeding five years to ensure that the structure,
There have been no alterations to the hull or equipment, arrangements, materials, scantling and
superstructure that affect the calculated positioning of markings comply fully.
the load line marks. The duration and validity of the international load
Fittings and appliances to protect openings, line convention is a five-year certificate.
guardrails, freeing ports and means of access for crew
quarters are in good condition.
UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES CAN AN
INTERNATIONAL LOAD LINE CERTIFICATE
CEASE TO BE VALID?
The ILLC can become invalidated when any of the following conditions arise:
• Material alterations have been made to the hull or to the superstructure that would
necessitate a reassignment of the freeboard.
• Fittings and appliances mentioned in the Conditions of Assignment are not maintained in
an effective condition.
• The certificate is not endorsed to attest that the ship has been correctly surveyed in
accordance with the required survey schedule.
• The structural strength of the ship is depleted to such an extent that the ship is unsafe.
 DEFINITIONS OF SOME KEY
TERMS OF THE LL66/88
Block Coefficient is the volume of molded displacement Moulded depth is the vertical distance measured from the
divided by the volume of length, breadth and molded top of the keel to the top of the freeboard deck beam at the
depth. side.

Freeboard is the distance measured vertically downwards Load line mark comprises a circle of 300mm diameter
in midships, from the upper edge of the deck line to the intersected by a horizontal 450mm in length, the upper
upper edge of the related load line. edge of which passes through the centre of the circle. The
center of the ring shall be placed amidships and at a
Freeboard deck is normally the uppermost complete deck distance equal to the assigned summer freeboard measured
exposed to weather and sea, which has a permanent means vertically below the deck line.
of closing all openings in the weather area and below,
which are openings on the ship's side and can be
permanently closed off.
 DEFINITIONS OF SOME KEY
TERMS OF THE LL66/88
The Superstructure is a decked superstructure on the Deck line is a horizontal line meeting the following
freeboard deck extending from the side to side of the requirements:
ship or with the side plating not being on board of the • 300mm in length
shell plating, more than 40% of the breadth. • 25mm in breadth
Weathertight means that in any sea condition, water • marked amidships on each
will not penetrate the ship. side of the ship
Watertight means that the arrangement can prevent • its upper edge shall normally pass through
the passage of water in either direction including the point where the continuation outwards of the upper
while also allowing for a pressure increase for the surface of the freeboard deck intersects the outer
maximum head of water which it might have to surface of the shell
sustain.
 WHAT DOES LL66/88 SAY ABOUT THE
SUBMERSION OF THE LOAD LINE?
When the vessel is put to sea, during the voyage and upon arrival, the appropriate
load line on the side of the ship, corresponding to:
• season of the year, and
• the applicable zone at any time,
 HOW APPLICABLE LOAD LINES
SHOULD BE MARKED?
All assigned load lines must be marked amidships on each side of the ship,
together with the deck line.
Freshwater load line is indicated by the upper edge of the line marked F.
The difference between this line and the Summer load line is the allowance
to be made for loading in freshwater.
Tropical load line is indicated by the upper edge of the line marked T.
Summer load line is indicated by the upper edge of the line, which passes
through the centre of the circle and is marked by the letter S.
Winter load line is indicated by the upper edge of the line
marked W.
Winter North Atlantic load line is indicated by the upper edge of the line
marked WNA.
 The Load Line Convention of 2006 is
an international treaty that sets
standards for the design,
construction, and operation of ships
to ensure their safety and
environmental protection. The

Report convention establishes minimum

requirements for the freeboard (the
Summary distance between the waterline and
the main deck) of ships based on their
size, type, and intended use. The
freeboard requirements ensure that
ships have sufficient buoyancy and
stability to withstand rough weather
conditions and prevent them from
sinking or capsizing.
 The Load Line Convention -
The Master Mariner

Report The Load Line Convention -

Sources The Master Mariner

The Load Line Convention -

The Master Mariner