Resolution
A.208(VII)
RECOMMENDATION ON CONSTRUCTION OF
FISHING VESSELSAFFECTING THE VESSEL'S STABILITY AND CREW SAFETY
(12 October 1971)
The
Assembly,
Noting
Article 16(i) of the Convention on the
Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization concerning the functions
of the Assembly,
Noting
also Recommendation 7 of the International Conference on Safety of Life at Sea,
l960,
Bearing
in mind Recommendation 3 of the International Conference on Load Lines, l966,
Recalling
that by Resolution A.168(ES.IV) it adopted the Recommendation on Intact
Stability of Fishing Vessels, and further that its Appendices VI and VII
contained recommended practices for freeing ports and for exterior hatch
coamings and door sills on fishing vessels,
Desiring
to establish internationally applicable standards for certain constructional
features of fishing vessels affecting the vessel's stability and crew safety,
Having
considered the Recommendation by the Maritime Safety Committee at its twenty-fourth
session,
Adopts
the Recommendation on Construction of Fishing Vessels Affecting the Vessel's
Stability and Crew Safety, the text of which is given at Annex to this
Resolution and which supersedes Appendices VI and VII of Resolution A.168(ES.IV)).
Invites
all governments concerned to take appropriate steps to give effect to the
Recommendation as soon as possible,
Requests
the Maritime Safety Committee to continue its study on this subject,
particularly in conjunction with the development of Part B of the Code of
Safety for Fishermen and Fishing Vessels and the preparation for an
international conference on safety of fishing vessels.
ANNEX
RECOMMENDATION ON CONSTRUCTION OF
FISHING VESSELS
AFFECTING THE VESSEL'S STABILITY AND
CREW SAFETY
This
Recommendation assumes that the Administration, when considering its
application to a particular vessel, has approved the intact stability
characteristics of that vessel having regard to the intact stability criteria
contained in the Recommendation on Intact Stability of Fishing Vessels
(Resolution A.168(ES.IV)).
Where
used in this Recommendation the under-mentioned terms should be taken to mean
the following:
2.1
Freeboard deck is normally the uppermost complete deck exposed to the weather
and sea which has permanent means of closing all openings in the weather part
thereof and below which all openings in the side of the vessel are fitted with
permanent means of closing watertight. In a vessel having a discontinuous
freeboard deck, the lowest line of the exposed deck and the continuation of
that line parallel to the upper part of the deck is to be taken as the
freeboard deck. A lower deck may be designated as the freeboard deck provided
that it is a complete and permanent deck continuous in a fore and aft direction
at least between the machinery spaces and peak bulkheads and continuous
athwartships. When this lower deck is stepped, the lowest line of the deck and
the continuation of that line parallel to the upper part of the deck is to be
taken as the freeboard deck. When a lower deck is designated as the freeboard
deck, that part of the hull which extends above the freeboard deck is treated
as superstructure.
2.2
Superstructure is the decked structure on freeboard deck extending from side to
side of the vessel or with the side structure not being inboard of the vessel's
side more than 4 per cent of the vessel's breadth. An enclosed superstructure
is a superstructure with:
(i) enclosing
bulkheads of efficient construction;
(ii) access
openings, if any, in those bulkheads fitted with doors complying with the
provisions of 6.2; and
(iii) all other
openings in sides or ends of the superstructure fitted with efficient
weathertight means of closing.
A raised
quarter-deck is regarded as a superstructure. A bridge or poop shall not be
regarded as enclosed unless access is provided for the crew to reach machinery
and other working spaces inside these superstructures by alternative means
which are available at all times when bulkhead openings are closed.
2.3
Superstructure deck is that complete or partial deck or the top of a
superstructure, deckhouse or other erections situated at a height of not less
than 1.8 m above the freeboard deck.
2.4
Height of a superstructure or other erection is the least vertical distance
measured at side from the top of the deck beams of a superstructure or an
erection to the top of the freeboard deck beams.
2.5
Weathertight means that in any sea conditions water will not penetrate into the
vessel.
2.6
Watertight means capable of preventing the passage of water through the
structure in any direction under a head of water up to the super- structure
deck.
2.7
Length of a fishing vessel is the length on the standard waterline between
perpendiculars.
2.8
Aft and forward perpendiculars are vertical lines intersecting the standard
waterline:
(i) on the
inside of the stern plating and on the inside of the stem plating,
respectively, of a vessel with a metal shell, or
(ii) at the
rabbet aft line of the stern and at the rabbet front line of the stem,
respectively, of a vessel with a shell of any other material or of a composite
vessel.
The
forward and aft terminals of any other waterline are parallels to the
perpendiculars intersecting the ends of the vessel as described in (i) and (ii)
above.
3.1
The provisions hereunder are recommended for new decked sea-going fishing
vessels of 24 m in length and over, operating in unlimited waters and in
weather of unlimited severity.
3.2
It is recommended also that these provisions should be applied as far as is
reasonable and practicable to:
(i) existing
decked vessels;
(ii) new decked
vessels less than 24 m in length; and
(iii) vessels
approved for limited service.
Strength
and construction of hull, superstructure, deckhouses, machinery casings,
companionways and other structures should be sufficient to withstand all
foreseeable conditions of the intended service and should comply with the requirements
of the Administration. A vessel built and maintained for the intended service
in conformity with rules of a classification society recognized by the
Administration may be considered by the Administration to be adequate in this
respect.
The
skipper should be supplied with sufficient information in a form approved by
the Administration, for guidance as to the stability of the vessel under the
varying conditions of loading.
6. Devices to prevent
the entry of water
6.1.1
Openings through which water can enter and endanger the vessel should be kept
to a minimum and provided with effective closing devices in accordance with the
provisions of this Section. Where closing devices fitted to such openings are
of types or of materials other than those specified in this Section, they
should be equivalent thereto and to the satisfaction of the Administration.
Doors
should be permanently attached to the bulkhead, properly framed and stiffened
so that the strength is equivalent to the unpierced structure. They should be
capable of being closed weathertight to the satisfaction of the Administration
and means should be provided so that they can be operated from either side.
6.3.1
The finished thickness of the wood hatchway covers should be at least 40 mm in
association with a span of not more than 1.0 m and the width of their bearing
surfaces should be at least 65 mm.
6.3.2
Wood hatchway covers should be secured weathertight by means provided to the
satisfaction of the Administration.
6.4 Hatchway covers other
than wood
6.4.1
For the purpose of strength calculations it should be assumed that hatchway
covers other than wood are subjected to the weight of cargo intended to be
carried on them or to the following static loads, whichever is the greater: 1.0
t/m2 for vessels of 24 m in length; 1.75 t/m2 for vessels
of 100 m in length and over. For intermediate lengths the load values should be
determined by linear interpolation. The Administration may reduce the loads to
not less than 75 per cent of the above values for covers to hatchways situated
on the superstructure deck in a position abaft a point 25 per cent of the
length of the vessel measured from the forward perpendicular.
6.4.2
Where covers are constructed of mild steel, the maximum stress according to
6.4.1 multiplied by 4.25 should not exceed the minimum ultimate strength of the
material. Under these loads the deflections should be not more than 0.0028
times the span.
6.4.3
Strength and stiffness of covers made of materials other than mild steel should
be equivalent to those of mild steel to the satisfaction of the Administration.
6.4.4
Covers should be fitted with gaskets and clamping devices sufficient to ensure
weathertightness, or other equivalent arrangements to the satisfaction of the
Administration.
6.5.1
Machinery space openings should be properly framed and efficiently enclosed by
casings of ample strength and external access openings therein should be fitted
with doors complying with the provisions of 6.2.
6.5.2
Openings other than access openings should be fitted with strong covers of
equivalent strength to the unpierced structure, permanently attached thereto
and capable of being closed weathertight.
6.6.1
Where it is essential for fishing operations, flush deck scuttles of the screw,
bayonet or equivalent type and manholes may be fitted provided these are
capable of being closed watertight and, except where secured by closely spaced
bolts, such devices should be permanently attached to the structure. Having
regard to the size and disposition of the openings and the design of the
closing devices a metal-to-metal closure may be fitted if the Administration is
satisfied that they are effectively watertight.
6.6.2
An efficient superstructure, deckhouse or companionway fitted with weathertight
doors or their equivalent should be provided to protect openings, other than
hatchways, machinery space openings, manholes and flush scuttles in the
freeboard or superstructure deck. Companionways should be situated as close as
is practicable to the centreline of the vessel.
6.7.1
Coamings of ventilators should be of substantial construction and capable of
being closed weathertight by devices permanently attached to the ventilator or
adjacent structure.
6.7.2
Closing appliances need not be fitted to ventilators in which the coamings
extend more than 4.5 m above the freeboard deck or more than 2.3 m above the
superstructure deck unless specifically required by the Administration.
Where
air pipes to tanks and other spaces below deck extend above the freeboard or
the superstructure deck, the exposed parts of the pipes should be of
substantial construction. Openings of air pipes should be provided with
efficient means of closing permanently attached to the pipe or adjacent
structure, to the satisfaction of the Administration.
6.9.1
Sidescuttles to spaces below the freeboard deck or to enclosed erections on the
freeboard deck should be fitted with hinged deadlights capable of being closed
watertight.
6.9.2
No sidescuttle should be fitted in a position such that its sill is below a
line drawn parallel to the freeboard deck at side and having its lowest point
500 mm above the highest load waterline.
6.9.3
Sidescuttles, together with their glasses and deadlights should be of a
substantial construction to the satisfaction of the Administration.
Openings
in the sides of the vessel below the freeboard deck should be the minimum
compatible with the design and proper working of the vessel. Such openings
should be fitted with means of closing so designed as to ensure watertightness
and structural integrity commensurate with the surrounding shell structure.
6.11 Scuppers, inlets and
discharges
6.11.1
Each discharge pipe through the hull below the freeboard deck or within an
enclosed erection on the freeboard deck should have an automatic non-return
valve with a positive means of closing it from an accessible position. Such a
valve is not required if the Administration considers that the entry of water
into the vessel, through the opening, is not likely to lead to dangerous
flooding and that the thickness of the piping is sufficient.
6.11.2 In manned machinery spaces main and auxiliary
sea inlets and discharges in connexion with the operation of machinery may be
controlled locally. Controls should be readily accessible and should be
provided with indicators showing whether the valves are open or closed.
6.11.3
In unmanned fully automated machinery spaces the provisions of 6.11.2 should apply provided suitable warning devices are
incorporated to indicate leakage of water into the space or leakage from any
other systems. In such spaces the controls should be readily accessible and be
provided with indicators at the control position showing whether the valves are
open or closed.
6.11.4
Fittings attached to the shell and all valves should be of steel, bronze or
other ductile material approved by the Administration. All pipes between the
shell and the valve should be of steel, except that in vessels constructed of
material other than steel the Administration may approve the use of other
material.
6.12 Heights of hatchway
coamings and sills of doorways, ventilators and air pipes
6.12.1
The height above deck of hatchway coamings on the exposed parts of the
freeboard deck should be at least 600 mm and on the superstructure deck at
least 300 mm.
6.12.2
Where operating experience has shown justification and on the approval of the
Administration, the height of hatch coamings may be reduced from the heights
specified in 6.12.1 or the coaming may be omitted entirely, provided efficient
watertight hatch covers are fitted. Such covers should be kept as small as
practicable, be permanently attached by hinges or equivalent means and be
capable of being rapidly closed and battened down.
6.12.3 The height above deck of sills in
those doorways, in companionways, erections and machinery casings which give
direct access to parts of the deck exposed to the weather and sea should be at
least 600 mm on the freeboard deck and at least 300 mm on the superstructure
deck.
6.12.4
Where operating experience has shown justification and on approval of the
Administration the height above deck of sills in the doorways specified in 6.12.3, except those giving direct access to machinery spaces,
may be reduced to not less than 380 mm on the freeboard deck and to not less
than 150 mm on the superstructure deck.
6.12.5
The height above deck of ventilators on the freeboard deck should be at least
900 mm and on the superstructure deck at least 760 mm. The height of
ventilators of machinery spaces should be as high as reasonable and practicable
and to the satisfaction of the Administration.
6.12.6
The height of air pipes above deck to a point where water may have access below
should be at least 760 mm on the freeboard deck and at least 450 mm on the
superstructure deck. The Administration may accept reduction of the height of
an air pipe to avoid interference with the fishing operations provided its
efficiency as a closing appliance is not impaired.