International Load Lines Convention (LL 66)

• International Maritime Law is covered in MT 292 taught by Dr. Tarek Ali Abou Elela.
• Chapter 6 discusses The International Convention on Load Lines (LL 66)

International Convention on Load Lines (LL 66)

• Adopted on April 5, 1966.
• Entered into force on July 21, 1968.
• This is an international convention adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
• Amended by the 1988 Protocol and further revised in 2003.
• The 1988 Protocol harmonizes survey and certification requirements of the 1966 Convention with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and MARPOL 73/78.
• All assigned load lines must be marked amidships on each side of the ship, along with the deck line.
• Establishes uniform principles concerning the limits to which ships on international voyages may be loaded.
• Designed to safeguard life and property at sea.

Application of the Convention

• Does not apply to ships of war.
• Does not apply to new ships less than 24 meters (79 feet) in length.
• Does not apply to existing ships of less than 150 gross tonnage.
• Does not apply to pleasure yachts not engaged in trade.
• Does not apply to fishing vessels.

Surveys and Inspections for an International Load Line Certificate

• Initial survey is done before the ship is put in service, including a complete inspection of its structure and equipment.
• Renewal surveys are conducted at intervals specified by the Administration, but not exceeding five years, and include a complete inspection of the ship's structure and equipment.
• Annual surveys are conducted within three months of each certificate's anniversary date.
• Annual surveys ensure that no alterations have been made to the hull or superstructures that would affect the load line calculations, including the protection of openings, guard rails, and means of access to crew's quarters.

International Load Line Certificate

• Issued to every ship surveyed and marked in accordance with the present Convention.
• Certificates are issued by the Administration or any duly authorized person or organization.
• Issued for a period specified by the Administration, not exceeding five years from the date of issue.
• Assumes that the ship is not loaded beyond the limits allowed by the certificate.
• Assumes that the position of the load line of the ship corresponds with the certificate.
• A certificate issued by an Administration becomes invalid upon the transfer of the ship to the flag of another State.

International Load Line Exemption Certificate

• Issued to any ship granted an exemption under paragraph (2) or (4) of Article 6.
• The Administration can exempt any ship with novel features from any of the Convention's provisions per Paragraph (2).
• Ships generally engaged on national voyages that need to undertake a single international voyage may be exempted by the Administration from any of the present Convention's requirements, provided safety requirements are met per Paragraph (4).
• The duration of an International Load Line Exemption Certificate cannot exceed five years from the date of issue.
• A certificate becomes invalid upon the transfer of such a ship to the flag of another State.

Control

• Ships holding a Load Line (LL) certificate are subject to control by officers authorized by their governments in the ports of other Contracting Governments.
• Contracting Governments ensure control is exercised reasonably to verify a valid certificate on board under the present Convention.
• If a valid International Load Line Certificate (1966) is on board, control is limited to determining that the ship is not loaded beyond the certificate's limits and that the position of the load line corresponds with the certificate.

Definitions

• Freeboard: The distance. measured vertically downwards amidships from the upper edge of the deck line to the upper edge of the related load line.
• Freeboard Deck: The uppermost complete deck exposed to weather and sea, with permanent means of closing all openings in the weather part.
• Superstructure: A decked structure on the freeboard deck, extending from side to side of the ship.
• Weather-tight: Means that water will not penetrate the ship in any sea conditions.

Protection of the Crew

• The strength of the deckhouses for crew accommodation must satisfy the Administration.
• Efficient guard rails or bulwarks must be fitted on all exposed parts of the freeboard and superstructure decks.
• The opening below the lowest course of guard rails must not exceed 230 millimeters (9 inches).
• Satisfactory means of protection (guard rails, lifelines, gangways, etc.) shall be provided for the crew to access their quarters, machinery space, and other necessary parts of the ship.
• Deck cargo must be stowed to provide access to and from the crew's quarters, machinery space, and other necessary parts of the ship, without closing openings.