The Club’s ship inspectors have recently visited vessels where it has been found that the load line regulations are regularly being contravened.

In other cases, the maintenance of the securing cleats has been neglected to such an extent that they have seized solid to the hatch coaming, ending up totally inoperative and painted over.

It has been noted that in order to expedite the securing of hatch covers when containers are loaded on to hatch tops manual securing cleats are frequently removed.

It is a requirement of the load line rules that hatch covers, cleats and coamings be surveyed annually by the vessels flag state. This is a statutory requirement which applies to all ships.

During the building of a vessel, the weather-deck hatch covers and associated equipment which includes the securing arrangements are fitted in accordance with Classification Society rules. No changes to the hatch covers or to the associated equipment can be made without prior class approval.

For further information please contact:

Loss Prevention Department,

Thomas Miller P&I Ltd

Tel: +44 20 7204 2307.

Fax +44 20 7283 6517

Email: lossprevention.ukclub@thomasmiller.com