Collision bulkheads-
(1) Every ship shall be fitted with a collision bulkhead, which shall be watertight upto, the freeboard deck. This bulkhead shall be located at a distance from the forward perpendicular of not less than 5 percent of the length of such ship or 10 meters, whichever is less.
Provided that in exceptional cases, where the Chief Surveyor to the government on India is satisfied, having regard to the safety of the ship, permit such distance upto 8 percent of the length of the ship.
(2) Where any part of the cargo ship below the waterline extends forward of the forward perpendicular, Such as a bulbous bow, the distances stipulated shall be measured from a position
Sir,
We are operating wooden boats in the port of Visakhapatnam under harbour craft rules for the past 25 years and above.
Now under the rules of IV Act., we are asked to provide Collision bulkheads for our boats.,
I want to request you to kindly enlighten us, if the requirement of Collision or water tight bulk heads are required for such primitive type build wooden boats.
For your information I am herewith giving you the details of our boats.
LOAL Less than 15 mts.
Breadth Less than 5 Mts.
Depth less than… 2.5 mts.
GRT Less than .. .. . 15 Tons
Single screw fixed pitch propellor
One main Engine…Less than 120 BHP with reverse reduction Gear Box.
Meant for transportation of men and materials
Men all inclusive Less than 15 people
Material all inclusive………..1 MT.
Construction material…. Wooden – locally available wood
Hull and Deck is covered with Fibre Glass sheathing of Max. 4 mm – to – 5 mm thickness.
Single Deck – Single Cabin.
As bulkheads are insisted for these wooden boats without any reference or explanations given to us., I request you to kindly enlighten us as…..
We feel closing a part or a section of the engine room area does not resolve the so called requirement of having Bulkheads
As the requirement of being Water tight bulkheads – is next to impossible to have – As water tight bulk head in a wooden boat cannot be constructed in such primitive type of construction.
Further it would only and surely would damage the inner side of the wooden planks and wooden girders and wooden frames as there will be no ventilation or maintenance absolutely as such.
Kindly let us know – If such type of boats are required to be provided with the bulkheads as such.. please.
We shall be grateful for your sharing of knowledge and enlightening us in the subject please.
Thanks Regards