Question 1

Your examiner asks: "What is the Cargo Securing Manual and what must it contain? Who is responsible for ensuring cargo is secured in accordance with it?"

Accepted Answer

The Cargo Securing Manual (CSM) is a ship-specific document required by SOLAS VI/5.6 for all cargo ships. It must be approved by the flag state or RO and must contain: description of fixed and portable cargo securing equipment; instructions for securing all categories of cargo carried; maximum stack weights and securing forces; instructions for use of cargo securing devices; maintenance instructions. The master is ultimately responsible for ensuring cargo is properly secured before departure. In practice, the Chief Officer oversees securing but the OOW must be familiar with the CSM for the cargo types in their watch area and must report any unsecured or inadequately secured cargo immediately. SOLAS VI Reg 5.6 and the CSS Code (Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing, MSC/Circ.745 as amended) require a CSM for all cargo ships except those carrying bulk cargoes (IMSBC Code ships) or liquid cargoes (tankers). The CSM is vessel-specific because each ship has different fixed fittings (lashing eyes, container sockets, twistlocks) and portable equipment (lashings, chains, turnbuckles). The IMO has developed a standardised format for the CSM. From the OOW perspective: cargo securing is not just an aesthetic requirement — improper securing is a leading cause of cargo shift, which affects stability, and deck cargo loss, which creates pollution and navigation hazards. An OOW performing cargo rounds must be able to identify unsatisfactory securing arrangements and report them before departure. After heavy weather, the OOW should inspect cargo lashings at the first safe opportunity.

Question 2

Your examiner asks: "State the nine classes of dangerous goods under the IMDG Code and give one example of each." Give a complete answer.

Accepted Answer

Class 1: Explosives (e.g. detonators, fireworks). Class 2: Gases — 2.1 Flammable (LPG), 2.2 Non-flammable/non-toxic (compressed air), 2.3 Toxic (chlorine). Class 3: Flammable liquids (petrol, acetone). Class 4: Flammable solids — 4.1 Flammable solids (matches), 4.2 Spontaneously combustible (wet fishmeal), 4.3 Dangerous when wet (sodium, calcium carbide). Class 5: Oxidising substances — 5.1 Oxidisers (ammonium nitrate), 5.2 Organic peroxides. Class 6: Toxic and infectious — 6.1 Toxic (pesticides), 6.2 Infectious substances. Class 7: Radioactive. Class 8: Corrosives (battery acid, caustic soda). Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous goods (lithium batteries, dry ice). The IMDG Code (International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, made mandatory under SOLAS VII/3) uses UN-based classifications. Key points for OOW orals: Class 4 has three subdivisions — 4.2 (spontaneously combustible materials including wet fishmeal which has caused numerous bulk carrier fires) and 4.3 (dangerous when wet — water reacts to produce flammable gases) are the most hazardous from a watchkeeping perspective. Class 9 (lithium batteries) has become increasingly significant — lithium battery fires in containers and car carriers have caused major incidents (e.g. Felicity Ace). The IMDG Code is updated biennially; the 2022 edition (Amendment 41-22) is the current edition. Segregation requirements between classes are specified in IMDG Chapter 7 — an OOW must understand that certain classes cannot be stowed in the same space (e.g. oxidisers and flammables).

Question 3

You are loading a general cargo consignment. The cargo plan shows ammonium nitrate (Class 5.1) in Hold 2 and petroleum products in drums (Class 3) in Hold 3, which is adjacent. Is this acceptable under the IMDG Code?

Accepted Answer

Ammonium nitrate (Class 5.1, oxidiser) and petroleum products (Class 3, flammable liquids) require segregation of "away from" (separated by an intervening space or hold) at minimum. Adjacent holds sharing a common bulkhead do not satisfy "away from" — the cargoes must be in non-adjacent holds with at least one hold separation. Check the IMDG Segregation Table (Chapter 7.2): oxidisers and flammable liquids require at minimum "away from" and in some cases "separated from." This loading plan requires amendment. IMDG Code Chapter 7.2: segregation categories: "away from" (minimum separation of 3m horizontally in the same space, or in different compartments/holds); "separated from" (separated by a complete compartment or hold — i.e. at least one intervening space); "separated by a complete compartment or hold" and "separated longitudinally by an intervening complete compartment or hold." Ammonium nitrate as an oxidiser can cause catastrophic decomposition if contaminated with fuel oil (the Beirut Port explosion 2020, Texas City 1947 were both ammonium nitrate events). The segregation requirement between Class 5.1 and Class 3 is "away from" at minimum — adjacent holds sharing a bulkhead do not satisfy this. An OOW discovering an incorrect cargo plan before loading must stop operations and refer to the Chief Officer and master. The IMDG Segregation Table in Chapter 7.2.4 provides the complete matrix of segregation requirements between all classes.