Section 22 Bow, inner, side shell and stern doors on Ro-Ro ships

22.1.1 The requirements of Pt 1, Ch 3, 2 Annual Surveys - Hull and machinery requirements to Pt 1, Ch 3, 5 Special Survey - General - Hull requirements are to be complied with, as applicable.

22.1.2 The requirements in this Section are applicable to the survey of bow, inner, side shell and stern doors on roll on-roll off passenger (Ro-Pax) ships and roll on-roll off (Ro-Ro) cargo ships.

22.1.3 Annual Survey and Special Survey of bow, inner, side shell and stern doors are to include examinations, tests and checks to a sufficient extent in order to verify that they are in satisfactory condition, remain in compliance with applicable requirements, and are subject to proper maintenance and operation in accordance with the Operation and Maintenance Manual (OMM) or manufacturer’s recommendations.

22.2.1 For the application of the requirements in this Section, a Ro-Ro ship is a ship that utilises a loading ramp to enable wheeled vehicles to be rolled on and rolled off the ship.

22.2.2 A Ro-Pax ship is a passenger ship with Ro-Ro spaces or special category spaces.

22.2.3  Ro-Ro spaces are those that extend over a substantial length or the entire length of the ship, and are not normally sub-divided. These spaces can be loaded and unloaded (normally in a horizontal direction) with motor vehicles with fuel in their tanks for their own propulsion and/or goods (either packaged or in bulk, in rail or road cars (including tankers), trailers, containers, pallets, demountable tanks or in other stowage units or receptacles).

22.2.4  Special category spaces are enclosed vehicle spaces (above or below the bulkhead deck) that vehicles can be driven on to and from, and that can be accessed by passengers. Special category spaces may be accommodated on more than one deck, provided that the total overall clear height for vehicles does not exceed 10 m.

22.2.5  Securing devices are used to keep the door closed by preventing it from rotating about its hinges.

22.2.6  Supporting devices are used to transmit external or internal loads from the door to a securing device and from the securing device to the ship’s structure, or a device other than a securing device, such as a hinge, stopper or other fixed device, that transmits loads from the door to the ship’s structure.

22.2.7 A locking device is used to lock a securing device in the closed position.

22.2.8 A Close-up Survey is defined in Pt 1, Ch 3, 1.5 Definitions.

22.3.1 The survey is to consist of an examination to verify, as far as is practicable, that the bow, inner, side shell and stern doors are maintained in a satisfactory condition.

22.3.2 The Surveyor is to obtain confirmation that no unapproved changes have been made to the bow, inner, side shell and stern doors since the last survey.

22.3.3 Where applicable, Surveyors are to verify that the Operation and Maintenance Manual (OMM), including any revisions, is available on board. It is to be verified that documented operating procedures for closing and securing the doors are kept on board and posted at the appropriate place(s). The Surveyor is to apply particular attention to the register of inspections and its contents (contained within the OMM) as a basis for the survey.

22.3.4 An examination of the bow, inner, side shell and stern doors is to be carried out, with particular attention to be applied to the following:

1. The structural arrangement of doors, including plating, secondary stiffeners, primary structure, hinging arms and weld connections;

2. Shell structure surrounding the opening of the doors and the securing, supporting and locking devices, including shell plating, secondary stiffeners, primary structure and associated weld connections;

3. Hinges and bearings, thrust bearings;

4. Hull and door side supports for securing, supporting and locking devices.

22.3.5 A Close-up Survey of the securing, supporting and locking devices is to be carried out. As a minimum, the Close-up Survey is to include the following:

1. Cylinder securing pins, supporting brackets, back-up brackets (where fitted) and their weld connections;

2. Hinge pins, supporting brackets, back-up brackets (where fitted) and their weld connections;

3. Locking hooks, securing pins, supporting brackets, back-up brackets (where fitted) and their weld connections;

4. Locking pins, supporting brackets, back-up brackets (where fitted) and their weld connections;

5. Locating and stopper devices and their weld connections.

22.3.6 The clearances of hinges, bearings and thrust bearings are to be measured where no dismantling is required. If the function test is not satisfactory, dismantling may be required to measure the clearances. If dismantling is carried out, a visual examination of hinge pins and bearings, together with non-destructive testing of the hinge pin, is to be carried out. The clearances of the securing, supporting and locking devices are to be measured, where indicated in the Operation and Maintenance Manual (OMM).

22.3.7 An examination of the sealing arrangements, including packing material/rubber gaskets, retaining bars or channels and associated weld connections, is to be carried out.

22.3.8 An examination of the drainage arrangements, including bilge wells and drain pipes, where fitted, is to be carried out. A test of the bilge system between the inner and outer doors is to be carried out.

22.3.9 A function test of doors is to be carried out. The Surveyor is to check the satisfactory operation of the bow, inner, side shell and stern doors during a complete opening and closing operation including, as applicable:

1. Proper working of the hinging arms and hinges;

2. Proper engagement of the thrust bearings;

3. Device for locking the door in the open position;

4. Securing, supporting and locking devices;

5. Proper sequence of the interlock system for the opening/ closing system and the securing and locking devices;

6. Mechanical lock of the securing devices;

7. Proper locking of hydraulic securing devices in the event of a loss of the hydraulic fluid, according to the procedure contained in the Operation and Maintenance Manual (OMM);

8. Correct indication of open/closed position of doors and securing/locking devices at navigation bridge and other control stations;

9. Isolation of the hydraulic securing/locking devices from other hydraulic systems;

10. Confirmation that the operating panels are inaccessible to unauthorised persons;

11. Verification that a notice plate giving instructions to the effect that all securing devices are to be closed and locked before leaving harbour is placed at each operating panel and supplemented by warning indicator lights;

12. Examination of electrical equipment for opening, closing and securing the doors.

22.3.10 A function test of the indicator system is to be carried out. The Surveyor is to check the satisfactory operation of the indicator system, where fitted, including the following, as applicable:

1. Proper visible indication and audible alarm on the navigation bridge panel, according to the selected function ‘harbour/sea voyage’ and on the operating panel;

2. Lamp test function on both panels;

3. Verification that it is not possible to turn off the indicator light on both panels;

4. Verification of fail safe performance, according to the procedure contained in the Operation and Maintenance Manual (OMM);

5. Confirmation that power supply for the indicator system is supplied by the emergency source or other secure power supply and is independent of the power supply for operating the doors;

6. Proper condition of sensors and protection from water, ice formation and mechanical damage.

22.3.11 A test of the water leakage detection system, where fitted, is to be carried out. The test is to include verification of a proper audible alarm on the navigation bridge panel and on the engine control room panel, according to the procedure contained in the Operation and Maintenance Manual (OMM).

22.3.12 A test of the television surveillance system, where fitted, is to be carried out. The test is to include verification of a proper indication on the navigation bridge monitor and on the engine control room monitor.

22.3.13 A hose test, or equivalent, is to be carried out. If the results of the visual examination and function test are satisfactory, the tightness test need not be carried out unless considered necessary by the Surveyor.

22.3.14 Following the visual examinations and function tests, non-destructive testing and thickness measurements may be required as considered necessary by the Surveyor.

22.4.1 The requirements of Pt 1, Ch 3, 22.3 Annual Surveys are to be complied with as applicable.

22.4.2 The securing, supporting and locking devices, including their weld connections, are to be subjected to non-destructive testing and thickness measurement to the extent considered necessary by the Surveyor. The maximum allowable diminution is 15 per cent of the as-built thickness.

22.4.3 The effectiveness of the sealing arrangements is to be verified by carrying out a hose test, or equivalent.

22.4.4 The clearances of hinges, bearings and thrust bearings are to be measured. Unless otherwise specified in the Operation and Maintenance Manual (OMM), or by the manufacturer’s recommendation, the measurement of clearances may be limited to representative bearings where dismantling is needed in order to measure the clearances. If dismantling is carried out, a visual examination of hinge pins and bearings, together with non-destructive testing of the hinge pin, is to be carried out.

22.4.5 The non-return valves of the drainage system are to be dismantled and examined.