TM 55-607/NAVSEA OP 3221 Rev 2
CHAPTER 3
PRELOAD REQUIREMENTS
3-1. General
Proper securing of explosives represents only one phase of a detailed plan formulated to ensure safe passage of the
ship. An adequately secured stow is dependent on the availability of personnel, equipment, and materials in a sequence
predetermined by the stowage plan. Preload inspections must be performed to be sure that the condition of the ship is
satisfactory for receipt of the intended cargo. This chapter emphasizes the relationship between securing and effective
preload planning.
3-2. Preloading Inspection
a. A preloading inspection of the ship will be conducted by the US Coast Guard to determine its adequacy for
transporting explosives. If Coast Guard inspectors are not available, the inspection will be accomplished by a qualified
inspector from the ammunition port. The master or other person in charge of the ship will be required to examine and
verify the adequacy, condition, and working order of all working equipment before loading or discharge and to monitor
the condition of equipment during operations. Inspections of cargo working equipment apply both to the ship's equipment
and to that of the contract labor or Civil Service stevedores. Magazines, decks, hatches, and holds must be prepared for
handling military explosives as specified by 46CFR146.29-73.
b. An inspection will be conducted by qualified station personnel to determine bulkheading and decking
requirements in the holds. Previously chartered ships will not normally require as extensive preload bulkheads or
decking as those being utilized for the first time. The ship is also inspected to ensure that all compartments and holds
are swept or hosed clean of rubbish, discarded dunnage, or residue of the previous cargo; that all decks, gangways and
hatches where cargo is handled are swept clear of loose material or debris; that the ship's fire hoses, valves, and
couplings are in working order; that the ship's cargo-handling gear is test-certified to be in safe working condition; that all
tween-deck hatch covers are present and undamaged; and that all sweatboards are in place and undamaged.
3-3. Planning
Comprehensive planning prior to the arrival of the ship is the most important function contributing to an effective
shiploading operation. Preload planning includes, but is not limited to, the following:
a. Development of a preliminary stowage plan from booked cargo.
b. Preparation of estimates of materials from knowledge of ship condition and booked cargo.
c. Ordering of materials handling equipment and necessary gear.
d. Ordering required personnel to supervise, load, dunnage, inspect, and document loading operations.
e. Scheduling and control of cargo flow during loading in accordance with the stowag plan.
e
3-4. Cargo Stowage Plan
a. The
practical utilization of the stowage area aboard the ship is dependent on several factors, including the
following:
(1)
Compliance with Coast Guard compatibility charts for military explosives and munitions.
(2)
Effect of the cargo weight upon structural and stability parameters of the ship.
(3)
Number and sequence of parts of discharge.
b. The format of stowage plans for the preliminary loading activity and individual planner may differ depending on
local policy, but all should include the following:
(1) Identify the commodity by DOD Indicator Code (DODIC) and short nomenclature.
(2) Denote the number of loads comprising the stowage and the height to which they may be tiered.
(3) Locate the stowage area.
(4) Show the Coast Guard classification of the commodity.
(5) Indicate the offloading ports.
(6) Denote the weight and cube of each stowage.
Figure 3-1 is a typical cargo preload plan for the holds serviced through hatch number 1. A typical preplan of an entire
ship is shown in figure 3-2. The preload plans provide graphic information for each hold of the ship, with bird's-eye views
of the
3-1
