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ANNEX C

TEXT OF REGULATION 44 OF THE LOAD LINE CONVENTION 

NOTE: THE FOLLOWING TEXT WAS EXTRACTED FROM
THE DRAFT 1988 LL PROTOCOL (MSC 54/22)

REGULATION 44

 STOWAGE

General ^

1. Openings in the weather deck over which cargo is stowed shall be securely closed and battened down.

The ventilators and air pipes shall be efficiently protected.

2. Timber deck cargoes shall extend over at least the entire available length which is the total length of the well or wells between superstructures.

Where there is no limiting superstructure at the after end, the timber shall extend at least to the after end of the aftermost hatchway.

The timber deck cargo shall extend athwartships as close as possible to the ship’s side, due allowance being made for obstructions such as guard rails, bulwark stays, uprights, pilot access, etc., provided any gap thus created at the side of the ship shall not exceed a means of 4 per cent of the breadth. The timber shall be stowed as solidly as possible to at least the standard height of the superstructure other than any raised quarterdeck.

3. On a ship within a seasonal winter zone in winter, the height of the deck cargo above the weather deck shall not exceed one third of the extreme breadth of the ship.

4. The timber deck cargo shall be compactly stowed, lashed and secured. It shall not interfere in any way with the navigation and necessary work of the ship.

Uprights ^

5. Uprights, when required by the nature of the timber, shall be of adequate strength considering the breadth of the ship; the strength of the uprights shall not exceed the strength of the bulwark and the spacing shall be suitable for the length and character of timber carried, but shall not exceed 3 m. Strong angles or metal sockets or equally efficient means shall be provided for securing the uprights.

Lashings ^

6. Timber deck cargo shall be effectively secured throughout its length by a lashing system acceptable to the Administration for the character of the timber carried.^*

 Stability ^

7. Provision shall be made for a safe margin of stability at all stages of the voyage, regard being given to additions of weight, such as those arising from absorption of water or icing, if applicable, and to losses of weight such as those arising from consumption of fuel and stores.^*

8. In addition to the requirements of regulation 25(5) of this Annex, guard rails or lifelines not more than 350 mm apart vertically shall be provided on each side of the cargo deck to a height of at least 1 m above the cargo.

In addition, a lifeline, preferably wire rope set up taut with a stretching screw, shall be provided as near as practicable to the centreline of the ship. The stanchion supports to all guard rails and lifelines shall be so spaced as to prevent undue sagging. Where the cargo is uneven a safe walking surface of not less than 600 mm in width shall be fitted over the cargo and effectively secured beneath or adjacent to the lifeline.

9. Where the requirements prescribed in paragraph (8) are impracticable, alternative arrangements satisfactory to the Administration shall be used.

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* Reference is made to the Code of Safe Practice for Ships Carrying Timber Deck Cargoes originally adopted
by the Organization as resolution A.287(VIII) and amended by the Maritime Safety Committee.

Steering arrangements ^

10. Steering arrangements shall be effectively protected from damage by cargo and, as far as practicable, shall be accessible. Efficient provision shall be made for steering in the event of a breakdown in the main steering arrangements.

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