NVIC 05-94: Grain Code requirements for bulk grain vessels

United States Coast Guard COMDTPUB P167OO.4 NVIC 5-94 13 July 1994 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 5-94 Electronic Version for Distribution on the World WideWeb Subj: REQUIREMENTS FOR VESSELS CARRYING BULK GRAIN CARGO

Requirements for Vessels Carrying Bulk Grain Cargo — PURPOSE. This circular calls the attention of Coast Guard field units, shippers and carriers of

bulk grain cargo to the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk, referred to as the Grain Code, which entered into force on January 1, 1994. The Grain Code specifies stability, loading requirements, and Documents of Authorization for each vessel that loads grain in bulk.

Requirements for Vessels Carrying Bulk Grain Cargo — DIRECTIVES AFFECTED This circular cancels and supersedes NVIC 2-78.

DIRECTIVES AFFECTED This circular cancels and supersedes NVIC 2-78.

Requirements for Vessels Carrying Bulk Grain Cargo — BACKGROUND. In response to the growing need for broader regulation of the carriage of all

cargoes which may pose a hazard to ships or personnel, the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) decided to replace the original Chapter VI of the Safety of Life at Sea Convention, 1974 as amended, (SOLAS), which contained detailed regulations on the carriage of grain in bulk, with requirements of a more general nature and to place the detailed provisions on grain in a mandatory code. SOLAS Chapter VI previously titled "Carriage of Grain" is now titled "Carriage of Cargoes." At the 59th session in May 1991, MSS adopted amendments to SOLAS Chapter VI Part C Regulation 9 (resolution MSC.23[59]) to make the International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk mandatory. The Grain Code became effective January 1, 1994.. The Grain Code is available to the public from the IMO as publication 240-E. Information on obtaining this publication can be found in enclosure (1).

Requirements for Vessels Carrying Bulk Grain Cargo — DISCUSSION.

a. The Grain Code applies to all vessels that load grain in bulk in U.S. waters, except those engaged solely on voyages on rivers, lakes, bays, and sounds, or on voyages between Great Lakes ports and specific St. Lawrence River ports as referred to in the Load Line Convention. The St. Lawrence River ports exempted include those ports as far east as a straight line drawn from Cap de Rosiers to West Point, Anticosti Island, and as far east as a line drawn along the 63rd meridian from Anticosti Island to the north shore of the St. Lawrence River. b. A Document of Authorization is required for each vessel to which the Grain Code applies except vessels on certain intracoastal voyages, provided they comply with the alternative conditions found in enclosure (2). The U.S. Coast Guard has delegated the authority to issue Documents of Authorization to the National Cargo Bureau, Incorporated (NCB). Information on contacting NCB can be found in enclosure (1). Requirements for obtaining a Document of Authorization are summarized in enclosure (3). The Document of Authorization format is shown in enclosure (4).