A Guide to General Cargo Water Level Detection
A Guide to Water Level Detection for General Cargo Vessels
Single hold cargo ships other than bulkers must now be fitted with an approved water level detection system to comply with the new SOLAS Regulation II-1/23-3.
The new regulations entered into force on 1st January 2007 and apply to single hold cargo ships other than bulk carriers as defined in the SOLAS chapter XII:
Water Level Detection and Alarm Systems for Single Hold Cargo Ships
1 Cargo ships other than bulk carriers defined in 31A.1.2(1), Part C, having a length (Lf) of less than 80 m and a single cargo hold below the freeboard deck or cargo holds below the freeboard deck which are not separated by at least one bulkhead made watertight up to that deck, are to be fitted in such space or spaces with water level detection and alarm systems in accordance with the following (1) to (3).
(1) The water level detection and alarm systems are to give an audible and visual alarm at the navigation bridge when the water level above the inner bottom in the cargo hold reaches a height of not less than 0.3 m, and another when such level reaches not more than 15% of the mean depth of the cargo hold.
(2) The systems are to be fitted at the aft end of the hold, or above its lowest part where the inner bottom is not parallel to the designed waterline. Where webs or partial watertight bulkheads are fitted above the inner bottom, the fitting of additional detectors may be required.
(3) The systems are to have constructions and functions deemed appropriate by the Society.
2 Alarms given by the water level detection and alarm systems specified in -1 are to be capable of identifying the space where the water level reaches the alarm level and the water level specified in -1(1) at the navigation bridge. The above alarms are also to be capable of being easily distinguishable from alarms given by other installations in the navigation bridge.
3 Manuals documented operating and maintenance procedures for the water level detection and alarm systems specified in -1 are to be kept on board.
4 Notwithstanding the provisions of -1, the water level detection and alarm systems need not to be fitted in ships complying with the requirements of 13.8.5, or in ships having watertight side compartments each side of the cargo hold length extending vertically at least from inner bottom to freeboard deck having a breadth deemed as appropriate by the Society.
Bulksafe™ – Water Level Detection System (WLDS) for General Cargo Vessels
Bulksafe™ is the simplest and most reliable system on the world market and is already the trusted choice on over 1000 bulkers worldwide. The system has won a number of awards for its user-friendly design and maintenance free operation.
Bulksafe™ is unique due to its low cost, simple installation, reliability and maintenance free operation. Unlike other systems, Bulksafe™ will not give you false alarms, you never have to recalibrate the system and the sensors come with a lifetime corrosion warranty.
Bulksafe™ complies fully with the stringent IMO performance standards for water ingress detection systems having undergone extensive testing in the presence of all of the major classification societies.
The system is offered with full type approval from Lloyds Register, DNV, BV, GL, Russian Register, Class NK, ABS & Indian Register. In addition, the system has won 2 major awards for its innovative design, outstanding performance and contribution to marine safety; the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise – Innovation; and the Seatrade Award for ‘Safety at Sea’.
