The stresses upon the structure of bulk carriers are at their extreme limit in heavy seas; this is the time when most bulk carrier losses have been recorded. The IMO, therefore, recommended fitting hull stress monitoring systems on bulk carriers over 20,000 tonnes to minimise the dangers associated with longitudinal stresses due to vessels bending and pitching in a seaway and possibly triggering fatigue failure and above.
The HSMS consists of the following components:
Sensors also known as strain gauges, fitted at various locations on the vessel's deck to sense stresses during loading, discharging and at sea
Accelerometer one fitted at the bow to measure the vertical acceleration of the bow, and two fitted on the centreline to measure the roll and swing of the vessel.
The HSMS information is fed into a central computer and the information is normally provided in the cargo office and on the bridge. If the stresses reach a predetermined stress level, an audio visual alarm sounds to warn the operators.
This means that ship's personnel can use the HSMS at sea to select a better course or speed if the ship is subjected to heavy stresses, and also during loading and discharging operations if loads are exceeded.
Related guideline
Risk of Heavy cargoes & Monitoring the Ship's Loading limits
How to avoid risk of vessel being overloaded
Local loading criteria defining maximum allowable cargo weight in each cargo hold
Structural standards & strengthening of bulk carriers
Mandatory requirement for monitoring water ingress in cargo holds
Deterioration of ships structure and consequences of forward flooding
Handling water ingress problems in bulk carrier, investigation and countermeasures
Actions in the event of water ingress alarm activated
Damage investigation and countermeasures for bulk carriers
Our detail pages illustrated many safety aspects of Bulk carrier
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