View all text of Subjgrp 13 [§ 401.27 - § 401.59]
§ 401.29 - Maximum draft.
(a) Notwithstanding any provision herein, the loading of cargo, draft and speed of a vessel in transit shall be controlled by the master, who shall take into account the vessel's individual characteristics and its tendency to list or squat, so as to avoid striking bottom.
(b) The draught of a vessel shall meet minimum draft requirements as defined at inspection on the Enhanced Ship Inspection form and not, in any case, exceed 79.2 dm or the maximum permissible draught designated in a Seaway Notice by the Manager and the Corporation for the part of the Seaway in which a vessel is passing.
(c) Any vessel will be permitted to load at an increased draught of not more than 7 cm above the maximum permissible draught in effect as prescribed under 401.29(b) if it is equipped with a Draught Information System (DIS) and meets the following:
(1) An operational Draught Information System (DIS) approved by a member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) as compliant with the Implementation Specifications found at www.greatlakes-seaway.com and having onboard;
(i) An operational AIS with accuracy approved by the Seaway; and
(ii) Up-to-date electronic charts; and
(iii) Up-to-date charts containing high resolution bathymetric data; and
(iv) Vessels must be equipped with a bow thruster and bow thruster must be operational.
(2) The DIS Tool Display shall be located as close to the primary conning position and be visible and legible.
(i) Verification document of the DIS must be kept on board the vessel at all times and made available for inspection;
(ii) DIS license to use the software must be valid;
(iii) A company letter attesting to officer training on use of the DIS must be kept on board and made available for inspection;
(iv) When transiting Seaway waters with the DIS, a trained officer on the use of the DIS must be on the bridge;
(v) Any vessel intending to use the DIS for the first time must notify the Manager or the Corporation in writing at least 24-hours prior to commencement of its initial transit in the System with the DIS in order to arrange for appropriate testing for approval to use the DIS;
(vi) Every navigation season, each vessel intending to use an approved DIS to transit the System must submit a completed confirmation checklist found at www.greatlakes-seaway.com to the Manager or the Corporation prior to its initial transit of the season;
(vii) If for any reason the DIS, AIS, or bow thruster becomes inoperable, malfunctions or is not used while the vessel is transiting at a draught greater than the maximum permissible draught prescribed under 401.29(b) in effect at the time, the vessel must notify the Manager or the Corporation immediately.