What are precautions before loading timber deck cargo as per timber code ?

1. Hatch covers and other openings to spaces below that area should be securely closed and battened down;
2. Air pipes and ventilators should be effectively protected and check-valves or similar devices should be examined to ascertain their effectiveness against the entry of water;
3. Objects which might obstruct cargo stowage on deck should be removed and safely secured in places appropriate for storage;
4. The condition of friction-enhancing arrangements, where fitted, should be checked;
5. Accumulations of ice and snow on such area should be removed;
6. It is normally preferable to have all deck lashings, uprights, etc., readily available before loading on that specific area. This will be necessary should a preloading examination of securing equipment be required in the loading port; and
7. All sounding pipes on the deck should be reviewed and arrangements made that access to these remain as far as practicable. 

Note:

• The master should ensure that the ship condition complies with its stability booklet at all times.
• A ship carrying timber deck cargo should continue to comply with applicable damage stability requirements
• Since excessive GM values induce large accelerations, GM should preferably not exceed 3% of the breadth of the vessel.
• Account may be taken of the buoyancy of timber deck cargo when calculating stability curves, assuming that such cargo has a permeability up to 25% (Permeability is defined as the percentage of empty space of the volume occupied by the deck cargo).