Sea chests
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC/Circular.1021 – Design Suggestions for Ballast Water and Sediment Management Options in New Ships – (Adopted on 21 March 2002) - Annex - Design Suggestions for Ballast Water and Sediment Management Options in New Ships - 3 Design considerations to enhance management, control and operational strategies - Sea chests

Sea chests

  3.1 Taking into account the need for the design of sea chests to minimize skin friction of the ship's hull, generating laminar flow of water over the hull form and facilitating good flow of water into the ship's seawater suction pipes:

  • .1 consideration should be given to the design of the sea chest grate openings as a primary filter of larger marine organisms;

  • .2 securing arrangements should minimize the potential for the sea grate to fall off during service, e.g., by hinging the grate on the forward side;

  • .3 installation of systems to allow for the cleaning and treatment of the sea chest following ballasting, e.g., by installing a steam and air connection or piping from Butterworth tank washing systems (used for cargo tank washing); and

  • .4 shutting of isolation sea suction valves to prevent the fouling or contamination of the ballast water piping and systems.


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