No. 189/1936:

MERCHANT SHIPPING (TIMBER CARGO) REGULATIONS, 1936.

MERCHANT SHIPPING (TIMBER CARGO) REGULATIONS, 1936.

THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (TIMBER CARGO) REGULATIONS, 1936, DATED THE 2ND DAY OF JULY, 1936, MADE BY THE MINISTER FOR INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE UNDER THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY AND LOADLINE CONVENTIONS) ACT, 1933.

In pursuance of the powers conferred upon him by Section 57 of the Merchant Shipping (Safety and Loadline Conventions) Act, 1933, and of all other powers him in this behalf enabling, the Minister for Industry and Commerce hereby makes the following regulations:—

PART 1.—INTERPRETATION.

1. (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Merchant Shipping (Timber Cargo) Regulations, 1936.

(2) In these Regulations unless the context otherwise requires:—

The term "timber deck cargo" means a cargo of timber carried on an uncovered part of a freeboard or superstructure deck, but does not include a cargo of wood pulp or similar substance.

The term "timber load line" means a special load line to be used only when a ship carrying a timber deck cargo complies with these Regulations and the Load Line Rules.

The term "Load Line Rules" means the Rules for the time being in force made by the Minister for Industry and Commerce under Sections 39 , 44 , 45 and 62 of the Merchant Shipping (Safety and Load Line Conventions) Act, 1933 .

The terms "freeboard deck" and "superstructure deck" have the same meaning as in the Load Line Rules.

2. The Interpretation Act, 1923 , applies to the interpretation of these Regulations in like manner as it applies to the interpretation of an Act of the Oireachtas.

PART 2.—REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CARRIAGE OF TIMBER DECK CARGOES ON ALL SHIPS.

3. Regulations 4 to 9 shall apply to all ships carrying a timber deck cargo.

4. Deck openings covered by Timber Deck Cargo.—Openings to spaces below the freeboard deck shall be securely closed and battened down. All fittings such as hatchway beams, fore-and-afters and covers shall be in place. Where hold ventilation is needed, the ventilators shall be efficiently protected.

5. Stowage (a).—On a ship within any of the areas set out in the Schedule hereto, during the winter period set out against such area, the height of the timber deck cargo above the freeboard deck shall not exceed one-third of the extreme breadth of the ship.

(b) All timber deck cargo shall be compactly stowed, lashed and secured. It must not interfere in any way with the navigation and necessary work of the ship, or with the provision of a safe margin of stability at all stages of the voyage, regard being given to additions of weight such as those due to absorption of water, and to losses of weight such as those due to consumption of fuel and stores.

6. Protection of Crew, Access to Machinery Space, etc.—Safe and satisfactory access to the quarters of the crew, to the machinery space and to all other parts used in the necessary work of the ship shall be available at all times. Deck cargo in way of openings which give access to such parts shall be so stowed that the openings can be properly closed and secured against the admission of water. Efficient protection for the crew in the form of guard rails or life lines, spaced not more than 12 inches apart vertically, shall be provided on each side of the timber deck cargo to a height of at least 4 feet above the cargo. The cargo shall be made sufficiently level for gangway purposes.

7. Steering arrangements.—Steering arrangements shall be effectively protected from damage by cargo, and, as far as practicable, shall be accessible. Efficient provision shall be made for steering in the event of a breakdown in the main steering arrangements.

8. Uprights.—Uprights when required by the nature of the timber shall be of adequate strength and may be of wood or metal; the spacing shall be suitable for the length and character of timber carried, but shall not exceed 10 feet. Efficient means shall be provided for securing the uprights.

9. Lashings.—A complete system of overall lashings of ample strength and in good condition, fitted with releasing arrangements, shall be provided so as to give effective security throughout the length of the timber deck cargo. The releasing arrangements shall be accessible at all times. All fittings required for securing lashings shall be of strength corresponding to the strength of the lashings.

PART 3.—ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS.

10. The following additional Regulations apply to steamers marked with timber load lines when loaded beyond the maximum depth to which they would, for the time being, be entitled under the Load Line Rules to be loaded if they were not marked with timber load-lines.

11. Stowage.—The wells on the freeboard deck shall be filled with timber stowed as solidly as possible to a height of at least:

(i) 6 feet for ships up to and including 250 feet in length,

(ii) 7 feet 6 inches for ships 400 feet in length and above,

(iii) a proportionate intermediate height for ships between 250 feet and 400 feet in length.

12. Lashings.—Timber deck cargo shall be efficiently secured throughout its length by independent overall lashings spaced not more than 10 feet apart. Overall lashings shall be in good condition and shall be of not less than ¾ inch close link chain or flexible wire rope of equivalent strength, fitted with sliphooks and stretching screws, which shall be accessible at all times. Wire rope lashings shall have a short length of long link chain to permit the length of lashings to be regulated.

When timber is in lengths less than 12 feet, the spacing of the lashings shall be reduced to suit the length of timber, or other suitable provision made.

When the spacing of the lashings is 5 feet or less, the size of the lashing may be reduced, but not less than ½ inch chain or equivalent wire rope shall be used.

13. Uprights.—When uprights are required by the nature of the timber strong angles or metal sockets efficiently secured to the stringer plate or equally efficient means shall be provided for securing them.

On superstructure decks uprights, when fitted, shall be secured by athwartship lashings of ample strength.

Given under the Official Seal of the Minister for Industry and Commerce, this 2nd day of July, in the year 1936.

JOHN LEYDON, Secretary,

Department of Industry and Commerce,

SCHEDULE.