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Revisions to the 1988 Load Lines Protocol entered into force on 1 January
2005.
Also entering into force on the same date were amendments to the Guidelines
on the enhanced programme of inspections during surveys of bulk carriers and
oil tankers (resolution A.744 (18)).
An IMO statement says that the amendments adopted in June 2003 to Annex B to
the 1988 Load Lines Protocol include a number of important revisions.
In particular this relates to regulations concerning strength and intact
stability of ships; definitions; superstructure and bulkheads; doors;
position of hatchways, doorways and ventilators; hatchway coamings; hatch
covers; machinery space openings and miscellaneous openings in freeboard and
superstructure decks.
The Protocol also covers cargo ports and other similar openings; spurling
pipes and cable lockers; side scuttles; windows and skylights; calculation
of freeing ports; protection of the crew and means of safe passage for crew;
calculation of freeboard; sheer; minimum bow height and reserve buoyancy;
and others.
The IMO notes: "The amendments, which amount to a comprehensive revision of
the technical regulations of the Protocol, will apply to approximately
two-thirds of the world's fleet, i.e., to those ships flying the flags of
States Party to the 1988 LL Protocol. The amendments do not affect the 1966
LL Convention."
Also entering into force on the 1 January 2004 are amendments to the
Guidelines on the enhanced programme of inspections during surveys of bulk
carriers and oil tankers (resolution A.744 (18)), to include a new appendix
3 to annex 12 of Annex B to the Guidelines relating to the sampling method
of thickness measurements for longitudinal strength evaluation and repair
methods. |
