Float on/float off barge carriers are designed to be ballasted
such that the bottom of their cargo space(s) (well deck) submerges
below the waterline to allow barges being floated in and out.
If such a ship is fitted with weathertight closures for
the cargo space(s) and a watertight enclosure at the stern, the uppermost
complete deck may be taken as the freeboard deck.
If such a ship is not fitted with weathertight closures
for the cargo space(s) or a watertight enclosure at the stern, the
well deck should be taken as the freeboard deck, while buoyant spaces
above may be considered as superstructures in accordance with the
provisions of the interpretation referred to in section 1 relating
to regulation 34(1) of the Convention
or regulation 34(1).
If such a ship is not fitted with weathertight closures
for the cargo space(s) but has a watertight enclosure at the stern,
the uppermost complete deck may be taken as the freeboard deck provided
that:
-
.1 the structure of the freeboard deck complies
with the provisions of the interpretation relating to regulation 3(9) of the Convention referred to in circular
LL.3/Circ.77;
-
.2 the calculated freeboard is corrected for any
missing buoyancy above the well deck in accordance with the provisions
of the interpretation relating to regulations
3(5)(c) and 3(9) of the Convention referred to in circular
LL.3/Circ.69; and
-
.3 a satisfactory safety level at the resulting
draught is demonstrated according to alternative concepts.