State the actions you would take as a Chief Officer to avoid the detrimental effects on Bulk Carriers due to Corrosion, Fatigue and improper Cargo Handling ?

Fracturing of the Structural members of a transverse bulkhead of a Bulk carrier are:-

1. Side Shell Plating
2. Connection of Bulkhead plating to side shell.
3. Connection of side shell frame & end brackets to the shell plating and hopper side tank plating by close-up inspection.
4. Connection of side shell frame & end brackets to the shell plating and topside tank plating.

Actions to control structural stresses and fatigue:-

1. Routing Planned Maintenance & Inspection of Structural members of cargo holds & hatch covers.
2. Identification of susceptible areas prone to Fatigue & Stresses.
3. Ensure accessibility of the area to be surveyed with due regards to the area under inspection shall be clean and will lit.
4. Careful planning of the surveys to be undergone with all personnel involved.
5. Where a fracture which not been caused by contact damage is found in the main hull structure on one side of a ship, corresponding structure on the opposite side should be examined to see if a similar fatigue has occurred. Fractures of this nature are of concern, especially where corrosion is associated with failure & may have been contributing factor

Structural Surveys include: