Gard Guidance to Masters

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Gard Guidance Masters

2.12.2.6 CONCENTRATES

A. Concentrates are dangerous
Concentrates are particularly dangerous if loaded wet or if there is water ingress into the holds. Water ingress causes the cargo to shift which could lead to the vessel losing her stability and capsizing. Such cargoes should only be accepted for loading when the actual moisture content of the cargo is less than its transportable moisture limit (TML).

B. Precautions prior to loading concentrates
Prior to loading concentrates which may shift or liquefy, the Master should take the following precautions

carrying out a visual examination to assess the extent and duration of exposure to moisture during storage

obtaining and keeping properly labelled and sealed samples for possible testing later.

Prior to the vessel’s arrival at the loading port, the Master should request from the shipper the following details about the cargo

flow moisture point (FMP)

TML

moisture content

angle of repose

any chemical hazards and details which may require additional safety precautions.

If such information is not forthcoming in documented form, the Master should refuse to load the cargo and seek assistance from the Company.

Further precautions to be considered by the Master prior to loading are

checking and verifying the shipper’s declarations

rejecting cargo with a moisture content above the TML

filling cargo spaces as much as practicable, within stability, stress and deck loading constraints

using longitudinal separation to limit the shifting distance of the cargo, the shift amount and forces involved

trimming the cargo so it is level and trimmed out to all sides of the compartment

not stowing other cargoes containing moisture in the same compartment

not loading during rain

ensuring that tanks adjacent to the compartment are empty

maintaining an adequate and approximate metacentric height to prevent excessive rolling

ensuring that bilges and wells are clean, empty and covered with burlap

obtaining weather routing information to avoid areas of adverse weather conditions during the passage.

The Master is also advised to consult the relevant authorities in the ports of loading and discharge and the flag State administration to ascertain whether any stricter safety regulations apply than those internationally accepted.

2.12.2.6 Concentrates