Nautical Wing Circular - NT - CRT- 1 of 2006
NO:21-NT(1)/97-IV
 

         Dated: May 17, 2006
 

Sub: Carriage of Dangerous Cargo & goods on Sailing vessels - Prohibition


In a recent Marine Casualty, a sailing vessel engaged in the carriage of Coal /Coke was engulfed in fire which resulted in extensive damage to the vessels and loss of lives while the vessel was at sea. The preliminary investigation report revealed that the primary cause of this casualty was accidental fire, which originated from cargo hold and eventually engulfed the entire vessel. This fire led to the total destruction of the vessel. In view of safe operation of sailing vessels, the matter was thoroughly examined at the Directorate. Directions enumerated below are required to be complied with to prevent re-occurrence of such casualty on sailing vessels engaged in the carriage of dangerous cargo such as coal /coke and other dangerous goods classified under IMDG Code:


1. In accordance with Regulation 3 (exceptions) Chapter I - General provisions SOLAS 74 as amended, wooden ships of primitive build such as sailing vessels are not required to comply with its Chapter VII - Carriage of Dangerous Goods.


2. The Coal / Coke cargoes are permitted to be carried only on steel constructed vessel under the provisions of Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes (BC Code).


3. The Dangerous goods in packaged form classified in IMDG Code including Marine pollutants should be shipped under the provisions of International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG Code). The dangerous cargo such as explosives, fire works, LPG cylinders, inflammable solids, liquids, corrosives etc. are permissible to be carried only on steel constructed ships subject to compliance of the provisions of SOLAS.

4. The various hazards such as physical, chemical and biological associated with the carriage of either coal / coke or other cargoes having similar characteristics would pose safety hazards to the crew of sailing vessels engaged in such shipments.

5. Carriage of dangerous goods is also detrimental to the safety of sailing vessel itself because of hazardous nature of such goods.

6. The sailing vessels trading on the coast and overseas are manned by crew members having only practical experience in sailing vessel operations but lack adequate knowledge and its application relating to safety, cargo carriage, care of cargo during transit and handling of situation in emergencies. This inadequacy may prove fatal to its crewmembers and in the event of emergencies such as fire, collision etc. It may even result in the loss or serious damage to the vessel.

In view of above, the carriage of dangerous cargoes/goods in bulk or in packaged form as specified in IMDG / BC Code are not permitted for shipment on sailing vessels from any Indian port or overseas on any type of voyages.

This issues with the approval of the Nautical Adviser to the Govt. of India.

Sd/-
(Capt. Deepak Kapoor)
Nautical Surveyor -cum-
Dy. Director General of Shipping [Tech]
Back to NT Circulars main page