Load Line and Tonnage

Definition of Freeboard conditions for

assignment
• The “Conditions of assignments” are a series of
conditions which must be met in order for the
vessel to be assigned a load line.
• Ship is assigned a Freeboard for three purpose –
• 1. To ensure that vessel is not loaded beyond her
strength.
• 2. To provide her with adequate reserve
buoyancy.
• 3. To keep the decks high enough from water to
enable the crew to navigate and handle her in all
weathers.
 Load Line Surveys
• A ship will not comply with the “condition of
assignments” if at any time after the assignment
of freeboards, there has been any alteration of:
- The Hull
- The Superstructure
- Fittings or appliances that affects the assigned
freeboard.
- Change in the information in the Load Line
certificate.
 Load Line Surveys
• Load Line Surveys ensure that the vessel (both
when built and periodically during the life of the
vessel), complies with the “conditions of
assignment”
• These include the damage stability regulations
set previously and structural requirements also.
• Efficient means of protection must be provided
for all openings to hull and superstructure, for
protection of crew in heavy weather, and for
rapid freeing of water from weather deck.
 Load Line Surveys
• To ensure these “conditions of assignment” are
achieved and maintained, the vessel must be
surveyed:
- Initial Survey: Before the ship is put into service.
- Renewal Survey: Every 5 years.
- Annual Survey: 3 months before or after the
anniversary date of the first certificate.
• During the Surveys, the conditions of assignment
are verified.
 Checks on Closing appliances

• All openings in the weather deck should be

weathertight. Hatch coamings, hatch covers, ventilator
coamings, air pipes and doors must be strong enough
to resist the pounding from the sea and standards of
strength are laid down.
• The Rules also specify the height of coamings, air pipes
and door sills above the weather deck, those at the fore
end being higher than the remainder.
• It is important to remove the water from the deck
quickly during rough weather.
Details of Markings permanently carved

• All assigned load lines must be marked

amidships on each side of the ship, together
with the deck line. (Plimsol mark)
• Classification Society Marking has to be carved
on both the Port and Stbd midship area near
the Plimsol mark
• Draft marks are also carved permanently at
Fwd, Aft, midships at both Port and Stbd.
 Tonnage Regulation
• The International Convention on Tonnage
Measurement of Ships (ITC69) applies to
vessels engaged in international trade.
• It is crucial for many regulations and also
used for calculating fees and taxes.
• Gross Tonnage, is a measure of the total
enclosed spaces of the ship.
• Net Tonnage, is a measure of the spaces
used for the carriage of cargo or of passengers.