Load Line survey preparation on board a merchant vessel

ABOUT LOAD LINE SURVEY SCHEDULE

• Initial survey before the ship is put into service.

• Renewal survey at interval not exceeding Five years.

• Annual survey within 3 months before / after of the anniversary date of the load line survey. 

 

 -  On completion of annual survey , the surveyor  will endorse the load line certificate.

 - The period of validity of the load line certificate may be extended for a period not exceeding 3 months for the purpose of allowing the ship to complete her voyage to the port in which it is to be surveyed.

PREPARATION FOR A LOAD LINE SURVEY

1.       Have any changes been made or any new equipment installed which would affect the validity of the International Load line Certificate or have any alterations been made to the hull or superstructure, which would affect the calculation determining the position of the load lines?

2.       Were all other statutory and Classification certificates valid at the time of survey?

3.       Vessel’s decks appear to be in a satisfactory condition without excessive rust

4.       All weather tight doors found in satisfactory condition

5.       Machinery space openings are weathertight

6.       Hatchways and hatch openings are weathertight

7.       All ventilators on deck and their coamings are in good condition

8.       Air pipes on freeboard and superstructure decks have been examined including their closing arrangements and found in satisfactory condition.

9.       Automatic closing arrangements, where fitted, found in satisfactory condition.

10.   Flame screens on air pipes at all fuel oil tanks are satisfactory as far as could be seen.

11.   Cargo ports and other similar openings below freeboard deck are watertight.

12.   Scuppers, overboard discharge and non-return valves found in satisfactory condition.

13.   Windows, side scuttles and deadlights on the ship's sides, superstructures and deckhouses found in satisfactory condition.

14.   Freeing ports including their shutters and bars or rails and the shutters operation verified and found satisfactory

15.   Pumping arrangements in steering flat and forepeak tanks are in good condition.

16.   Arrangements for protection of crew and access to crew’s quarters such as gangways or under deck passageways, lifelines, walkways, and bulwark and/or guard rails found in satisfactory condition.

17.   For ships with special arrangements such as timber carriers (uprights, sockets, lashings, guard rails and lifelines), tankers (safe access to tanker bows etc), Ro-Ro vessels (bow, stern, side doors etc) and other special type ships, the condition of the special arrangements is satisfactory as far as could be seen.

18.   The freeboard marks have been verified and found in accordance with the freeboards assigned in the International Load line Certificate.

19.   Stability booklet approved

20.   Loading manual approved

21.    (Cargo ship more than 100 meters in length) approved Loading instrument.

22.   Loading, stability, information are in language(s) understood by the ship’s officers.

23. All Ballast tank inspection record to be updated.

24. Operation of both the anchor are satisfactory .

25. All wiring on deck are properly secured by steel clamp only.

26.  Air vents opening / closing  operation including mess in vent are in good condition.

27. Condition of both pilot ladders should be satisfactory , and certificate of ladder should be available on board.

28. Load line marking on ship side should be painted properly and should be visible in satisfactory condition.

29. Load line on ship side should be as per load line certificate only.

 

Prior any survey / inspection  on board a vessel,  please refer to last inspection report and company's checklist , which will be very helpful for preparation .

 

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