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CHAPTER 3 - STOWAGE

3.1 General ^

3.1.1 Before timber deck cargo is loaded on any area of the weather deck:

1. hatch covers and other openings to spaces below that area should be securely closed and battened down;
2. air pipes and ventilators should be efficiently protected and check valves or similar devices should be examined to ascertain their effectiveness against the entry of water;
3. accumulations of ice and snow on such area should be removed; and
4. it is normally preferable to have all deck lashings, uprights, etc., in position before loading on that specific area. This will be necessary should a preloading examination of securing equipment be required in the loading port.

3.1.2 The timber deck cargo should be so stowed that:

1. safe and satisfactory access to the crew’s quarters, pilot boarding access, machinery spaces and all other areas regularly used in the necessary working of the ship is provided at all times;
2. where relevant, openings that give access to the areas described in paragraph 3.1.1.1 can be properly closed and secured against the entry of water;
3. safety equipment, devices for remote operation of valves and sounding pipes are left accessible; and
4. it is compact and will not interfere in any way with the navigation and necessary working of the ship.

3.1.3 During loading, the timber deck cargo should be kept free of any accumulations of ice and snow.

3.1.4 Upon completion of loading, and before sailing, a thorough inspection of the ship should be carried out. Soundings should also be taken to verify that no structural damage has occurred causing an ingress of water.

3.2 Height and extent of timber deck cargo

3.2.1 Subject to 3.2.2, the height of the timber deck cargo above the weather deck on a ship within a seasonal winter zone in winter should not exceed one third of the extreme breadth of the ship.

3.2.2 The height of the timber deck cargo should be restricted so that:

1. adequate visibility is assured;
2. a safe margin of stability is maintained at all stages of the voyage;
3. any forward facing profile does not present overhanging shoulders to a head sea; and
4. the weight of the timber deck cargo does not exceed the designed maximum permissible load on the weather deck and hatches.

3.2.3 On ships provided with, and making use of, their timber load line, the timber deck cargo should be stowed so as to extend:

1. over the entire available length of the well or wells between superstructures and as close as practicable to end bulkheads;
2. at least to the after end of the aftermost hatchway in the case where there is no limiting superstructure at the aft end;
3. athwartships as close as possible to the ship sides, after making due allowance for obstructions such as guard rails, bulwark stays, uprights, pilot boarding access, etc., provided any area of broken stowage thus created at the side of the ship does not exceed a mean of 4% of the breadth; and
4.  to at least the standard height of a superstructure other than a raised quarterdeck.

3.2.4 The basic principle for the safe carriage of any timber deck cargo is a solid stowage during all stages of the deck loading. This can only be achieved by constant supervision by shipboard personnel during the loading process.

3.2.5 Appendix A provides general advice on stowage practices which have proved to be effective for various types of timber deck cargoes.

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