2.2.1 Ships nominated for bulk loading should
be suitable for the intended cargo. Suitable ships should be:
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.1 weathertight, and efficient in all respects
for the normal perils of the sea and the intended voyage;
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.2 provided with an approved stability and loading
booklet written in a language understood by the ship's officers concerned
and using standard expressions and abbreviations. If the language
is neither English nor French, nor Spanish, the translation into one
of these languages should be included;
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.3 provided with hatch openings of sufficient
size to enable the cargo to be loaded, stowed and unloaded satisfactorily;
and
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.4 provided with the hatch identification numbers
used in the loading manual and loading or unloading plan. The location,
size and colour of these numbers should be chosen so that they are
clearly visible to the operator of the loading or unloading equipment.
2.2.2 It is recommended that all ships which are
required to carry out stress calculations should have on board an
approved loading instrument for the rapid calculation of such stresses.
2.2.3 All propulsion and auxiliary machinery should
be in good functional order. Deck equipment related to mooring and
berthing operations including anchors, cables, mooring lines, hawsers
and winches should be operable and in good order and condition.
2.2.4 All hatches, hatch operating systems and
safety devices should be in good functional order, and used only for
their intended purpose.
2.2.5 List indication lights if fitted, should
be tested prior to loading or unloading and proved operational.
2.2.6 Ship's own cargo handling equipment should
be properly certificated and maintained, and used only under the general
supervision of suitably qualified ship's personnel.