Merchant Shipping Act 1894

EIGHTEENTH SCHEDULE.

Precautions as to Grain Cargo.

(1) There shall not be carried between the decks, or, if the ship has more than two decks, between the main and upper decks, any grain in bulk, except such as may be necessary for feeding the cargo in the hold, and is carried in properly constructed feeders.

(2) Where grain (except such as may be carried in properly constructed feeders) is carried in bulk in any hold or compartment, and proper provision for filling up the same by feeders is not made, not less than one fourth of the grain carried in the hold or compartment (as the case may be) shall be in bags supported on suitable platforms laid upon the grain in bulk: Provided that this regulation with respect to bags shall not apply—

(a) to oats, or cotton seed; nor

(b) to a ship which is a sailing ship of less than four hundred tons registered tonnage, and is not engaged in the Atlantic trade; nor

(c) to a ship laden at a port in the Mediterranean or Black Sea, if the ship is divided into compartments which are formed by substantial transverse partitions, and are fitted with longitudinal bulkheads or such shifting boards as herein-after mentioned, and if the ship does not carry more than one fourth of the grain cargo, and not more than one thousand five hundred quarters in any one compartment, bin, or division, and provided that each division of the lower hold is fitted with properly constructed feeders from the between decks; nor

(d) to a ship in which the grain cargo does not exceed one half of the whole cargo of the ship, and the rest of the cargo consists of cotton, wool, flax, barrels or sacks of flour, or other suitable cargo so stowed as to prevent the grain in any compartment, bin, or division from shifting.

(3) Where grain is carried in the hold or between the decks, whether in bags or bulk, the hold or the space between the decks shall be divided by a longitudinal bulkhead or by sufficient shifting boards which extend from deck to deck or from the deck to the keelson and are properly secured, and if the grain is in bulk are fitted grain-tight with proper fillings between the beams.

(4) In loading the grain shall be properly stowed, trimmed, and secured.