In-depth | SAFETY


The visual alarms must clearly


discriminate between the two different level detectors in each hold, which are fitted in the aſt end of the spaces. Te audible and visual alarms are located on the ship’s bridge. An alarm over-riding device may be installed in cargo holds that are used for carrying water ballast. A water level detector must also be


fitted in any ballast tank forward of the collision bulkhead (under Regulation II-1/11) and arranged to give an audible and visual alarm when the liquid in the tank reaches a level not exceeding 10% of the tank capacity. An alarm over-riding device may be installed for activation when the tank is in use. Any dry or void space other than a


chain cable locker, any part of which extends forward of the foremost cargo hold, also requires a water level detector to give an audible and visual alarm at a level 0.1m above the deck. Alarms need not be provided, however, in an enclosed space whose volume does not exceed 0.1% of the ship’s maximum displacement volume.


Monitoring the situation UK-based Martek Marine anticipated the new requirement by offering its Bulksafe water ingress detection system, fully complying with all aspects of the IMO performance standard. Te water level detection and alarm system resulted from three years of development and surveying of numerous bulk carriers of diverse designs to create a solution suiting all ship arrangements and individual customer preferences. Fully type-approved in accordance


with SOLAS XII Regulation 12, UR S24, the IMO performance standard for water level detectors and IACS UI SC180, the system is based on a central Bulksafe control and alarm panel interfacing with intrinsically safe MMS900 water level detectors installed in each compartment. A control and alarm panel indicates the alarm status for each named compartment, with discrete signals for the 0.5m and 2m alarm levels. Extensive testing in the presence of


all major classification societies earned type approval for the system from Lloyd’s Register, DNV, Bureau Veritas,


26


Germanischer Lloyd, ClassNK, ABS, the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping and the Indian Register. Bulksafe was subsequently rewarded with major shipping industry awards for innovative design, outstanding performance and contribution to maritime safety Among the key features distinguishing


Bulksafe from competitor systems, Martek Marine’s Steve Coulson highlights: no corrosion of the water detectors thanks to an advanced polymer construction; remote water testing and cleaning from the deck; no recalibration required (digital signal only); and simplicity of installation. A reportedly unique design enables the MMS900 detectors to be installed totally isolated from the cargo and protected from mechanical damage during cargo handling. Furthermore, each MMS900 level switch is completely corrosion proof, protected against dust ingress and - like the sensors - underwritten by a lifetime corrosion warranty. Bulksafe is claimed to be the most


compact and simplest system on the market to install, with all sensor cabling included in the delivery. Installations can be executed without any structural alterations or piping work within the cargo holds and commissioned by ship’s staff. User-friendly maintenance-free


operation is promised. An optional facility incorporated in the system provides a fully automatic in-situ functional test of all the detectors, even when cargo is present in the holds. All LEDs, audible alarms and relay outputs can be tested by a ‘panel test’ pushbutton. Water ingress monitoring systems also


became mandatory from 1 January 2007 for smaller new and existing single-hold dry cargo ships under a change to SOLAS Regulation II-1/23-3, which widened the legislative umbrella beyond bulk carriers to include container ships, general cargo and timber carriers. Te new rule required the fitting of an IACS type-approved system to existing ships of less than 100m in length built before 1998 and to all new and existing ships of less than 80m length built aſter that date. Bulksafe’s popularity in both market sectors is reflected in a reference list


currently embracing some 700 bulk carriers and 500 general cargo ship installations, the latter all retrofits. Among the customers is the leading


German shipping company Reederei Erwin Strahlmann, which has fitted 47 Bulksafe systems in its fleet. “After evaluating various offers we


selected Martek Marine’s Bulksafe system because it was simple to install and operate; it is the most reliable and durable water ingress detection system available,” explains the company’s safety and security director Krzysztof Giza. The market window for small


single-hold dry cargo tonnage has now closed but the number of ships required to comply with the relevant SOLAS bulk carrier sections on water ingress monitoring will be further expanded under Annex 13 of IMO Resolution MSC.277(85), adopted in November 2008. Under this annex, water ingress


detection and alarm systems will become mandatory from July 2010 for all types of dry cargo ship newbuildings, including general cargo and container tonnage, that wish to carry dry cargo in bulk, even if only occasionally. Based on previous years – and assuming


the shipping industry recovers from the slump – Steve Coulson anticipates an annual newbuilding market for water ingress monitors from this source of some 300 ships. Bulksafe system installations for bulk


carriers and dry cargo ships are essentially similar, although some dry cargo vessels may have segregated holds that may be deemed by authorities to need a detector per segregation. Reliable operation in an arduous


environment - vital for such a role - has been well proven in service, Martek Marine reports, and a number of design refinements have enhanced the system’s merits since its launch: safety barriers can now be installed in junction boxes adjacent to the cargo holds; savings in new conduit/pipework run on deck or in pipe tunnels significantly reduce installation costs; full mimic screens for ballast control rooms; and serial communications outputs for voyage data recorders (VDR). NA


The Naval Architect July/August 2010


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