Load Lines Convention (LL, 1966)

• Lecture 10 provides an overview of load lines and related conventions.
• The Costa Concordia, an Italian cruise ship, struck rocks near a Tuscan island off the Italian coast in the Mediterranean; there were over 4200 people aboard.
• On January 26, 2016, the Modern Express, a car carrier, started listing when it lost propulsion and turned broadside to the storm en-route to Le Harve, France.

Convention on Load Lines (LL, 1966)

• The Convention on Load Lines (LL, 1966) is a key focus.
• Limitations on the draught/draft to which a ship may be loaded make a significant contribution to her safety.
• These limits are given in the form of freeboards, besides external weathertight and watertight integrity/strength.
• The Load Line mark includes a circle with a diametrical line cut across the circle known as the Plimsoll Mark.
• Ships are allowed to load until this line reaches the waterline to prevent overloading.
• To determine this line, one refers to a table of Freeboards against length of ship to determine the allowable Freeboard.

History of Load Line Regulations

• The regulations have a history of over 140 years; introduced in 1854 by British Parliamentarian Lord Plimsoll.
• In 1876, passed as the first merchant shipping Act, requiring all Merchant ships to have a Load line marked on the ship side at the mid-ship length.
• With steel ships and powered propulsion, the regulations have evolved covering all known aspects of flooding and damage control.
• The Load line regulations also applied to dry cargo ships and tankers.
• 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.
• The 1930 Load line regulations came into force after the development of steel ships powered by steam or I.C. engines.

Establishment of L/L by IMO

• The 1966 Load Line Convention is the first International Load Line Convention after IMO (IMCO) came into existence.
• The Convention was held from March 3 to April 5, 1966.
• The L/L Regulations being the outcome of this Convention was adopted on April 5, 1966.
• Adoption date was April 5 1966.
• Entry into force date was July 21 1968.
• The 1966 Load Lines convention, provisions are made for determining the freeboard of ships by subdivision and damage stability calculations.
• The regulations consider potential hazards in different zones and seasons.

Load Line Convention

• Consists of 34 articles, and 3 Annexes.
• Annex I is divided into four Chapters: General, Conditions of assignment of freeboard, Freeboards, and Special requirements for ships assigned timber freeboards.
• Annex II covers Zones, areas, and seasonal periods.
• Annex III contains certificates, including the International Load Line Certificate.

Regulations in LL66 based on Chapter:

• Chapter 1: General (Regulations 1-9)
• Chapter 2: Conditions of Assignment (Regulations 10-26)
• Chapter 3: Freeboards (Regulations 27-40)
• Chapter 4: Special Requirements for Ships Assigned Timber Freeboards (Regulations 41-45)
• Annex 2: Zones, Areas, and Seasonal Periods

Load Line Certificates

• Load line certificate certifies that vessel complies with the loadline convention.
• Minimum freeboard, as required by the loadline convention, is calculated considering factors like reserve buoyancy.
• The Loadline convention is applied to ships of more than 24 meters in length.

Buoyancy

• The portion of the buoyant volume below the waterline.

Reserve Buoyancy

• The portion of the buoyant volume above the waterline

Objectives of Assigning a Load Line With Freeboards:

• Providing adequate reserve buoyancy against accidental flooding.
• Ensuring comfortable and safe crew accommodation.
• Maintaining weather-tight integrity of the freeboard or main deck.
• Providing sufficient hull subdivision for adequate reserve buoyancy.
• Assuring adequate strength to the vessels.

Relevant definitions:

• Watertight: Prevents water leakage from a closed opening when subjected to a predetermined head of water.
• Weathertight: Prevents water leakage from a closed opening when subjected to a strong spray of water.
• Watertight condition is stronger than weathertight.
• Watertight doors prevent water from entering from one compartment to another during flooding or accidents.
• Weathertight doors are located above the waterline and can handle weather conditions.

Overview of the International Convention on Load Lines (LL, 1966). It focuses on limitations on the draught to which a ship may be loaded. The load line mark includes the Plimsoll Mark.