Composition and application of portable securing devices

Securing devices should be assembled so that each component is of equal strength.

Connecting elements and tightening devices should be used in the correct way. Consideration should be given to any reduction of the strength of the lashings during the voyage through fatigue or mechanical deterioration and should be compensated by using stronger securing material.

Particular attention should be paid to the correct use of wire, grips, and clips. The saddle portion of the clip should be applied to the live load segment and the U-bolt to the dead or shortened end segment.

Securing devices should be arranged in such a way that each device takes its share of load according to its strength.

For heavy project cargoes onboard OPERATORS' operated vessels heavy duty lashing equipment is used in addition to normal chain lashings with MSL 7,5 ton.

The heavy-duty equipment has a MSL 20 ton and consists of the following parts:

1. High tensile galvanized shackles (MSL for shackles is based on lifting criteria with a safety margin of 6 times. For lashing it is only 2 times. Often the MSL are mistaken as to weak and invite questioning if safe or not. It is the shackles BL that is of interest and for lashing the MSL is half the BL. The heavy-duty shackles are normally marked with a MSL of 8.8mt but have a BL of 51mt. I.e. MSL for lashing 25.5mt)
2. 18mm ~ 22 mm chains with MSL 32-ton, length of 0.5m 1.0m,1.5m and 2.0m.
3. 20 mm wire slings
4. Turnbuckle 1." x 18

Please note that MSL 20 ton for the heavy-duty lashing equipment may not be used in the design of the lashing system unless the lashing fittings on the vessel's deck and on the cargo has a MSL of at least 20 ton.

If temporary securing equipment not described in the vessel's cargo securing manual is used for the project cargo, the equipment should be described in a lashing plan for the cargo and certificates for the used equipment should be included in the plan.