Electrical deck auxiliaries on ships

These auxiliaries, in the main, comprise cargo winches (which may include warping as a subsidiary duty), cranes, capstans, warping winches, windlasses and hatch-cover winches. Except for cranes, each of these may sometimes be used for duties other than those for which they are primarily intended. The systems of control as between these various applications bear a similarity but with variations to suit the operating conditions. It will be convenient to deal with them under their different headings, but there are divergencies between the methods favoured by different makers and descriptions will therefore be confined to representative schemes.

Electro-hydraulic winches do not call for special mention as they use a continuous running motor, which can be either a.c. or d.c. They can be operated either singly or in groups from one pump. Many electrical deck auxiliary schemes make use of contactors for control purposes and where these are of such size and numbers as to warrant it they can be accommodated in a separate contactor deckhouse instead of in the winch assembly. This increases the amount of cabling but on the other hand it economises deck space in the vicinity of the winch, making for cleaner lines and unobstructed viewing by the operator. It also facilitates maintenance work which in any case is not always opportune to carry out when the ship is in port and when the winches are in use. While at sea maintenance can be carried out under protection from the elements. In every winch, etc., in which the load is lowered while the motor is mechanically coupled such as in systems employing power lowering it is essential to prevent the load taking charge and lowering at a speed which will damage the motor armature. To safeguard against this contingency centrifugal brakes are provided in some cases and they are so set as to enable heavy loads to be lowered with an assurance that the safe speed cannot be exceeded. Provision must also be made to stop the load running back if the power supply should fail or the overload relay operate and in this event the winch, etc., must not restart when power is restored unless the controller has been returned to the starting point, usually the "off " position.

Shipping business important abbreviations

Shipping business important abbreviations. The shipping industry relies heavily on abbreviations and acronyms to facilitate efficient communication. Here are some important ones:

• a.a. – (Chartering) Always afloat

• Abt. – About
• abt. – About
• a/c – (Chartering) Account
• acct. – (Chartering) Account
• A/D – Alternate Days After date
• a/d – Alternate Days After date
• Ad. val. – According to value
• ad. val – According to value
• A/V – According to value
• A/H – (Chartering) Antwerp, Hamburg range of ports
• AMVER – Automated Mutual-assistance Vessel Rescue
• AS – Annual Survey
• A. T. S. B. E. – (Chartering) All Time Saved Both Ends
• a. t. s. b. e. – (Chartering) All Time Saved Both Ends
• A. T. S. D. O. – (Chartering) All Time Saved Discharging Only
• a. t. s. d. o. – (Chartering) All Time Saved Discharging Only
• A. T. S. L. O. – (Chartering) All Time Saved Loading Only
• a. t. s. l. o. – (Chartering) All Time Saved Loading Only
• A/V – According to value
• A. W. t. S. B. E. – (Chartering) All Working Time Saved Both Ends
• a. w. t. s. b. e. – (Chartering) All Working Time Saved Both Ends
• A. W. T. S. D. O. – (Chartering) All Working Time Saved Discharging Only
• a. w. t. s. d. o. – (Chartering) All Working Time Saved Discharging Only
• A. W. T. S. L. O. – (Chartering) All Working Time Saved Loading Only
• a. w. t. s. . o. – (Chartering) All Working Time Saved Loading Only
• bb – (Chartering) Ballast Bonus
• B. B. – (Grain Trade) Bar Bound
• B. B. – (Chartering) Below Bridges
• B. B. – Bulbous Bow
• BB – Bulbous Bow

What is tallying cargo?

Tallying cargo on a vessel refers to the process of counting and recording the quantity of goods being loaded or unloaded. It involves ensuring that the amount of cargo recorded matches what was initially specified in the shipping documents (such as the bill of lading). This process is crucial for verifying the accuracy of cargo handling and ensuring that the correct amount of goods is being transported as per the contract between the shipper and the consignee.

During tallying, trained personnel called tally clerks or tallymen typically oversee the process. They use various methods depending on the type of cargo, such as physically counting individual items, using scales for bulk materials, or measuring liquid volumes in tanks. Tallying is important not only for commercial reasons but also for safety and regulatory compliance, ensuring that vessels are not overloaded and that cargoes are handled correctly to prevent damage or loss during transit.

Cargoes. Difference between bulk cargoes and general cargoes

Cargoes carried by ships are of two kinds: bulk cargoes and general cargoes. Bulk cargoes may be either solid (grain, ore, coal, green sugar, sulphur) or liquid (oil products, wine, fresh water, spirits). All bulk cargoes are usually shipped in bulk without tare. 

General cargoes represent various goods differently packed. Goods packed in bags, cases, bales and drums are considered as general cargoes. For example, if green sugar is shipped in the hold without tare, in bulk, it is a bulk cargo and if it is packed in bags, we can consider it as general cargo.

It frequently happens that some varieties of cargo are carried on deck. It is to be understood that in this case "on deck" means on an uncovered space and that the cargo is exposed to weather.

Responsibility of cargo officials and inspection of compartments before loading

On board ship the Cargo Officer (Chief Officer) is responsible for the safe and efficient handling and stowage of cargo. This officer should secure proper preparation of the holds before loading and he supervises during the time the ship is receiving or delivering the cargo.

The stevedore is usually in charge of any cargo work that is loading or unloading (discharging). He is responsible for securing the ship with a sufficient number of gangs, cargo-handling machinery and besides he organizes transporting cargoes from the ship to the sheds or warehouses.

What is hatch covering?

When the cargo work is over, it is necessary to cover the ship's hatches. Hatches may be covered either with wooden hatchboards or with other special covering systems. Despite the covering system used, the hatchbeams should be fitted into sockets riveted to the inner side of the coamings. The hatchbeams serve to support the hatch covers. It takes much time to close or open the hatches by wooden hatchboards since this work of covering is done by manpower.

Quick operating hatch covers permit the opening or closing of covers in as little time as two minutes per hatch. The handling operations are simple and safe. The covers are hauled over runways by wires attached to winches. Some types of hatch covers are formed of hinged sections, in one or several pairs, and are specially suitable to big hatchways or the wide openings as found in ore carriers. The hinged sections fold up "concertina" fashion and are stowed at the ends of the hatchway. Where space is restricted at the batch ends, a side rolling system is introduced, thwartships from the holds.

The use of the modern form of hatch coverings has the following advantages:

1. Quick working.

2. Reduced cargo handling time.

3. Better use of the space.

4. Elimination of damage due to the presence of coamings.

Saving of time is at least 75% of the time devoted to handling hatch covers of the old type. After finishing loading and before leaving the port, it is obligatory to cover the hatches with tarpaulins to ensure watertightness.

What are holds and hatches on a ship?

The inner space of a ship between the limber boards of a double bottom and the decks is designed for carrying cargoes. We call this space a hold. Holds have different capacity. Big vessels have cargo holds divided into several separate compartments by watertight bulkheads.

Each dry-cargo vessel has four or five holds. The holds have bilges which serve to give way for flowing the water which may condensate on metal bulkheads or collect on wooden flooring. The water collected in the bilges is pumped out by a hold pump. To protect the bilges from corrosion they are covered with cement or special anticorrosion substance, besides they are protected by limber boards.

Holds

• Definition: Holds are the enclosed spaces or compartments within the hull of a ship where cargo is stored. These spaces are designed to maximize the amount of cargo a ship can carry and to protect the cargo from the elements and other potential damage.
• Function: Holds provide a secure and organized way to store various types of cargo, whether bulk goods like grains and coal or containerized cargo.
• Design: The design of holds can vary based on the type of ship. For example, bulk carriers have large, open holds for carrying unpackaged bulk cargo, while container ships have holds with cell guides to accommodate shipping containers.

Hatches

• Definition: Hatches are the openings on the deck of a ship that provide access to the holds below. These openings are covered by hatch covers, which can be removed or opened to allow cargo to be loaded into or unloaded from the holds.
• Function: Hatches serve as the entry and exit points for cargo. They must be designed to be watertight and secure to protect the holds from water ingress and ensure the safety and integrity of the cargo.
• Types: There are various types of hatch covers, including:
  • Side-rolling hatch covers: Common on bulk carriers, these covers roll to the side to open the hatch.
  • Pontoon hatch covers: Often found on container ships, these covers can be lifted off using cranes.
  • Lift-away hatch covers: Similar to pontoon covers but usually lighter and easier to handle manually or with smaller lifting equipment.

Holds are the storage spaces within a ship's hull, and hatches are the access points to these storage spaces, equipped with covers to protect the cargo.

The double bottom is covered with a removable wooden flooring. Cargo battens or "spar ceiling", as they are often called, comprises portable wooden battens fitted to the inner edges of the frames and so form a sheathing to the ship's side. "Spar ceiling" is made up of boards and arranged either horisontally, or vertically between frames. 

The purpose of this wooden sheathing is to prevent packages of cargo from damage by moisture which may collect on the side of the ship. The space so formed between the "spar ceiling" and the ship's side helps to provide a complete air space around the cargo and thereby improves ventillation. The "spar ceiling" should always be kept in a good state. 

Each hold has a hatchway. The hatchway is the rectangular opening in the ship's deck. The vertical plating around the hatchway is called hatchway coaming.

Loading cargo. Before loading a ship a cargo plan must be drawn up

Before loading a ship a cargo plan must be drawn up. This document is usually drawn up at the Chief Controller's office since this office directs cargo work in the sea-port. While abroad the Agent and the Master draw up a cargo plan. When the plan is ready the stevedore may begin loading. 

Firstly, he secures the necessary number of gangs, secondly he supplies the tackles which the dockers need in their work and at last the stevedore supervises the correct tonnage allotment for the holds. He checks up if cargoes are stowed and trimmed properly. Even stowage of cargoes secures a reliable stability of the ship loaded.

Loading cargo. Warehouses and sheds

Cargoes which must be carried by ships are usually delivered to a port prior to ship's arrival. So on ship's mooring they waist no time and loading operations may begin immediately. Cargoes are of different types and value and most of them are to be stored in special warehouses and sheds. 

This storing protects cargoes from any damage caused by sun rays, snow, rain and by some other factors. Only a few kinds of machinery and equipment packed in boxes can be placed on quays without roof protection. Warehouses and sheds are used for storing cargoes during any periods of time before they are conveyed to the quays and loaded on board ships.

Types of cargo ships

Cargo ships may be of two types: a) dry-cargo ships and b) tankers.

Dry-cargo ships are divided into the following classes: general cargo ships, bulk cargo ships (ore carriers, coal carriers, grain carriers), container's ships, timber carriers; refrigerators.

Tankers usually carry liquid cargoes such as oil products, spirits, wine, fresh water and the like. In some cases the tankers may carry grain and sugar in their tanks. Besides there are special vessels which do auxiliary service. They are tugs for towing ships, salvage vessels, icebreakers, dredgers, barges and lighters, fishing and whaling vessels.

Sea-going vessels are also classed according to the kind of propelling machinery into:
motorvessels, steamships, turbine-driven ships, electric-driven ships (turbine-electric ships and diesel-electric ships) and atomic- driven ships.