RO-RO VESSELS

RO-RO VESSELS

This section gives general advice for the safety of personnel working on the vehicle decks of ro-ro ferries.The movement, stowage and securing of vehicles on vehicle decks assisted by at least one competent person.Smoking and naked flames should not be permitted on any vehicle decks.

Conspicuous No Smoking or No Smoking/Naked Lights signs should be displayed.There should be no unauthorized persons on vehicle decks at any time, and there should be no entry to vehicle decks when the vessel is at sea unless specifically permitted.

Passengers and drivers should not be permitted to remain on vehicle decks without the express authority of a responsible ships officer. The period prior to disembarkation when passengers and drivers are requested to return to their vehicles should be kept to a minimumWhere closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras are fitted, they should, where practicable, have an uninterrupted view of the vehicle deck. The use of CCTV for continuous watch does not necessarily preclude the need for car deck patrols - e.g. coupled with fire patrols of passenger accommodation.

VentilationVehicle decks should have adequate ventilation at all times, with special regard to hazardous substances.On passenger vessels, ventilation fans in closed ro-ro spaces must normally be run continuously whenever vehicles are on board. An increased number of air changes may be required when vehicles are being loaded or unloaded, or where flammable gases or liquids are stowed in a closed ro-ro space. .

To reduce the accumulation of fumes, drivers should be instructed to stop their engines as soon as practicable after embarking and to avoid starting up prior to departure until instructed to do so. During loading and discharging ventilation may be improved by keeping both bow and stern doors open, provided that there is adequate freeboard at these openings. When there is doubt about the freshness of the atmosphere,

arrangements should be made for testing of the atmosphere to ensure the maintenance of 21 per cent oxygen and a carbon monoxide content below 50ppm in the atmosphere of the space.

Fire safety/preventionFire detection systems should be switched on whenever vehicle decks are unattended. Deck and engine crew should be trained in the use of the drencher systems and their operation. Continuous monitoring of vehicle decks by CCTV or regular fire patrols should also be in placeAll fire doors should be kept closed on vehicle decks when the vessel is at sea.MS (Fire Protection Small Ships) Regs SI 1998 No.1011 and MS (Fire Protection Large Ships) SI 1998 No. 1012 Noise

Personnel working on vehicle decks should not be exposed to the equivalent of 90dB(A) or greater when averaged over an 8 hour day. Hearing protection should be available for use when the noise level is equivalent to or exceeds 85dB(A) averaged over an 8 hour day, and should be worn when it is equivalent to or exceeds 90dB(A) averaged over an 8 hour day. For further guidance on noise levels see the Code of Practice for Noise Levels in Ships (revised 1990).

Safe movementPedestrians should be warned of vehicle movements when entering or crossing car or vehicle decks and keep to walkways when moving about the ship.As far as possible, routes used by vehicles should be separated from pedestrian passageways, and the use of ships ramps for pedestrian access should be avoided.Ramps which are used by vehicles should not be used for pedestrian access unless there is suitable segregation of vehicles and pedestriansSegregation can be achieved through the provision of a suitably protected walkway, or by ensuring that pedestrians and vehicles do not use the ramp at the same time (See the Code of Practice on the Stowage and Securing of Vehicles on Ro-Ro Ships Section 2.6).

Crew members should exercise great care when supervising the driving, marshalling and stowing of vehicles to ensure that no person is put at risk. The following precautions should be taken: Crew should be easily identifiable by passengers. Communications between deck officers and ratings should be clear and concise to maintain the safety of passengers and vehicles.

There should be suitable traffic control arrangements, including speed limits, and where appropriate the use of signallers Collaboration may be necessary with shore side management where they also control vehicle movements on board ship. Hand signals used by loading supervisors and personnel directing vehicles should be unambiguous.Adequate illumination should be provided.

Personnel directing vehicles should keep out of the way of moving vehicles, and particularly those that are reversing, by standing to the side, and where possible should remain within the drivers line of sight. Suitable high visibility clothing should be worn by all personnel working on vehicle decks Crew members should be wary that vehicles may lose control on ramps and sloping decks, especially when wet, and that vehicles on ramps with steep inclines may be susceptible to damage. Ramps should have a suitable slip resistant surface.Where fitted, audible alarms should be sounded by vehicles that are reversing.Inspection of vehiclesBefore being accepted for shipment, every freight vehicle should be inspected externally by a competent and responsible person or persons to check that it is in a satisfactory condition for shipment - for example, its suitability for securing to the ship in accordance with the approved cargo securing Manual

Safe systems of work should be provided in order to ensure that all vehicle movements are directed by a competent person. Personnel moving about the ship should be aware of moving ramps, moveable decks etc. Where possible such ramps and decks should be fitted with audio and visual alarmsIt is important to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that on each vehicle the fuel tank is not so full as to create a possibility of spillage. No vehicle showing visual signs of an overfilled tank should be loaded.Personnel should be aware of hazardous units as detailed on the stowage plan and indicated by labels, placards and marks, and should be on guard against the carriage of undeclared dangerous goods

StowageShippers special advice or guidelines regarding handling and stowage of individual vehicles should be observed. (MGN 19) ` Vehicles should: so far as possible, be aligned in a fore and aft direction; be closely stowed athwartships so that, in the event of any failure in the securing arrangements or from any other cause, the transverse movement is restrictedHowever, sufficient distance should be provided between vehicles to permit safe access for the crew and for passengers getting into and out of vehicles and going to and from accesses serving vehicle spaces; be so loaded that there are no excessive lists or trims likely to cause damage to the vessel or shore structures.

Vehicles should not : be parked on permanent walkways; be parked so as to obstruct the operating controls of bow and stern doors, entrances to accommodation spaces, ladders, stairways, companionways or access hatches, fire-fighting equipment, controls to deck scupper valves and controls to fire dampers in ventilation trunks; be stowed across water spray fire curtains, if these are installed.spaces below the vehicle deck should be clearly marked with yellow paint and kept free from obstruction at all times.Parking brakes of each vehicle or each element of a vehicle, where provided, should be applied and the vehicle should, where possible, be left in gear.

During the voyage the lashings should be regularly inspected to ensure that vehicles remain safely secured. Personnel inspecting vehicle spaces during a voyage should exercise caution in order to avoid being injured by moving or swaying vehicles. If necessary, the ships course should be altered to reduce movement or dangerous sway when lashings are being adjustedRo- Ro Check ListsPreloading Checks1. Ensure that the Ramps, Lifts and Doors are in good condition and operatingsatisfactorily.2. Ensure that the working area is provided with adequate illumination. Handheld torches or lanterns may be provided in case of working in shadow areas.3. All vehicle decks are clear of rubbish, dirt, oil, grease and stores etc.4. Dangerous goods are to be stowed as per IMDG code recommendation and segregation as necessary.5. Ensure all securing and lashing gears are checked, prepared and in position.6. Ensure ventilation and exhaust system working satisfactorily.7. Ensure all access points are provided with lifebuoy with self igniting lights and safety line with quoit.

During Loading1. No smoking should be ensured on all vehicle decks.2. Check the vehicle itself and ensure that the load is properly stowed andsecured for all seagoing condition.3. All vehicle movements are to be strictly monitored with proper handsignalling. Ensure no reversing or any negligent movement which should be avoided.4. As soon as the vehicle is in position, brakes should be on and engines switched off.

5. Drivers and passengers are to be cleared from vehicle deck as soon as possible.6. Ramps and Platforms are to be operated as per the laid down safe operatingprocedures.7. All dangerous goods are to be segregated and stowed as per the stowage plan.8. Ensure that there is no obstruction of Water spray fire curtains, Controls forbow and stern doors, Accesses and ladders, Fire fighting equipment andsafety appliances9. Ensure that sufficient room between lines of vehicle been provided for walkway access.10. Ensure that the landing legs of the semi trailers been located on the deck strong points.11. Ensure wooden dunnage been provided for tracked vehicle such as bulldozer etc. to prevent sliding due to metal to metal contact.

Prior Sailing1. Ensure the cargo is secured with:a) Correct equipmentb) No free play in vehicle suspension.c) Lashings are correctly located on vehicle.d) Lashings are under equal tension per item.e) Vehicles on inclined decks are properly chocked.2. All ship cargo handling gear such as forklifts are correctly stowed and secured.3. Ensure bow/stern doors are correctly secured