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Livestock handling guideline ,regulations & various safety precautions
Livestock guideline
The transport of animals is subject to legislation in many countries. Where risk of disease may exist this
legislation is rigorously enforced. In most cases the legislation not only covers the importation of animals,
but also the transit of animals, through a port. For instance it may not be possible to carry certain livestock
because of the national regulations of way ports that the ship may call at. A typical case in point here is the
Australian requirements regarding the African horse fly; the regulations are such that if a vessel has passed
within 50 miles of the coast of Africa, then any horses carried on that vessel for Australia might not be an
acceptable import to that country.
Over and above regulatory requirements, there is the need for humane and hygienic treatment and
conditions for animals transported by land and sea. Guidance for individual species' requirements may
usually be obtained from local zoological societies and similar organisations. A large part of the ensuing
recommendations has been derived from some such source.
Categories of animals may vary enormously from full shiploads of, say, sheep, to a single domestic
pet (e.g. a dog) which requires no more than the attention of an individual member of the crew during
the passage.
Animal rights groups are exerting considerable pressure on shipowners to ban the transportation of live
animals in ships not fitted for the purpose. They have been largely successful with ferry operators carrying
animals in transporter lorries.
Regulations
The most stringent regulations apply to even-toed ungulates, e.g. pigs, cattle, etc. As mentioned above,
many countries have very strict requirements, particularly in:
- United Kingdom
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) (www.defra.gov.uk)
- United States of America
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) (www.aphis.usda.gov)
- Argentina
Secretaria Nacional de Sanidad Animal (www.senasa.gov.ar)
- Australia
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) (www.daff.gov.au)
Careful study of these regulationsand any that may apply from other countriesshould be carried out
prior to shipment of any animals from one country to another. It is also imperative that the correct
documentation is prepared, e.g. import certificates, health certificates, veterinary certificates, etc., prior to
shipment.
Typical of the areas covered in the regulations over and above documentation will include: the quantity
of any particular animal permitted to be carried at one time in the space available; the size of pens or cages;
the strength requirements of fittings, etc.; the food requirements; fresh water services; access; ventilation;
lighting; fire fighting appliances; whether animal stalls may be carried more than one tier high.
Stowage
Crates and cages should be stacked with proper protection against both heat and cold. Where possible
provision should be made to set up awnings on deck to give shelter from the sun, rain and wind for those
cages and animals which require it. The close covering of cages with tarpaulins in hot weather will cause
undue suffering to the occupants of cages. Cages can be stacked on hatches where they are less exposed
to bad weather and there is less danger of seas and spray reaching them. If, however, the ship is due to call
at intermediate ports where loading or unloading will take place, enquiries must be made beforehand as to
which hatches will be in use so as to avoid shifting the boxes.
Where animals are carried in freight containers, particularly on cellular vessels, care must be exercised
to ensure that those particular containers are protected from extremes of heat, cold, rain and spray. Where
animals have to be taken out for exercisinge.g. dogsstowage positions should be such that this may
easily be achieved. To provide adequate ventilation it is almost certain that adjacent container slots will
need to be left vacant. This vacant space may under certain circumstances be utilised partially as storage
area for food and equipment, and access for the handlers.
In the case of larger animals the stowage position (whether in containers, or as general cargo in crates)
should be such that access can be achieved should the animal need veterinary attention during the voyage,
or for removal of the carcass should the animal die. This last is most important on vessels without gear, and
could mean the butchering of the animal to dispose of the carcass.
It is important to make allowances on cellular container vessels, when animals are carried in freight
containers, to allow sufficient container space for the carriage of the necessary food and bedding. Such
containers should have their doors readily accessible at deck level, unrestricted by lashing arrangements.
Food, Water and Bedding
An ample supply of food and bedding for the voyage must be placed on board at the port of embarkation,
unless firm arrangements can be made to replenish supplies en route, and a margin should be allowed for
delay. Proper arrangements should be made for stowage of food on board, where it can be reached easily
during foul weather. Only sound food should be given and this, as well as bedding, must be stored in a dry
place on board.
Full written instructions for feeding, watering and cleaning should be fixed to the front of each box and
full power should be given to the man in charge to replenish stocks of food if necessary at ports of call.
All drinking vessels should be kept carefully scoured, and only fresh water used.
Suitable food for ruminants consists of lucerne, or clover hay, meadow hay, grain, chafe, crushed oats,
maize, or other grain. Also appropriate food concentrates in the form of pellets or cake supplied under
proprietary brand names.
In the case of carnivorous animals it may be possible to store the frozen meat in the ship's stores, if there
is appropriate separation or barriers for hygiene requirements. Where this is not possible a refrigerated
container capable of carrying at correct temperature would be ideal.
Refrigerated carriage may also be necessary for fruit, eggs, milk, etc., for the animals. Milk can most
probably be carried as condensed tinned milk.
Carnivores need be fed only once a day, preferably in the late afternoon. Ruminants and all other animals
should be fed twice a dayearly morning and early evening.
Animals should, as a general rule, be watered two or three times a day, but more frequently in hot
weather. If the drinking vessels are removed after the animals have drunk, there is no risk of the water being
fouled nor can the animals knock against them and be frightened. Carnivores should be provided with
shallow metal receptacles. Ruminants should be watered in the same manner as horses, small donkeys or
goats, according to size.
Straw or hay makes suitable bedding for most animals, and it should be removed every morning. For
kangaroos, oat-chafe is most suitable. Soft hay should be used for all animals provided with sleeping boxes.
Bedding should be changed as required, and careful attention paid to the possibility of livestock eating the
bedding and suffering accordingly.
In the case of ruminants the container space used for food and bedding very often exceeds that required
for animals and should be planned accordingly.
Ventilation
It is most important that all animals have adequate ventilationexcept in the case of some reptiles.
Ventilation must be such that the animals are not exposed to strong winds and spray in the process of being
ventilated! In some cases, e.g. `tween deck stowage, and some container stowage, mechanical ventilation
may have to be provided.
Lighting
Adequate artificial lighting will have to be provided particularly in `tween decks and possibly in containers.
Lighting will allow the handlers to better attend to their charges, and may also provide a soothing effect on
the animals themselves. More careful attention to lighting and heating maybe required in the case of small
animals, birds and reptiles.
Cleaning
The type and size of animal will dictate the frequency of cleaning of pens and cages and containers that
is required. Adequate services should be provided in the vicinity of animals to allow proper cleaning to take
place, e.g. hose connections, power points, etc. It is important too that adequate drainage is available and
such that any cleaning water does not blow back on board in the process of draining.
All boxes and cages should normally be cleaned out at least once every day. As salt water is injurous to
many animals it should be used with discretion for washing out large cages. Disinfectants if used at all,
must be used very sparingly, with great care. All the smaller cats should be provided with shallow trays
containing earth or sawdust, which must be changed daily.
Equipment
Appropriate medical supplies for each type of animal and length of voyage should be placed on board
prior to departure from the port of loading. Appropriate humane killersas prescribed by regulations, and
the type and size of animalsshould be placed on board at port of loading. Other equipment such as buckets,
brooms, shovels should be supplied in adequate quantities to avoid having to use ships' supplies. In many
cases ships do not carry sufficient of this type of equipment to allow their use for other than ships' work.
Stowage for this equipment should be supplied and, in the case of medical supplies, humane killers, etc.,
should be safe from unauthorised access.
Handlers
Where ten or more head of large animals are carried, a handler (or handlers) may need to travel with
the animals. This should be adequately investigated in advance, with handlers of suitable expertise
and experience, and the appropriate arrangement made for transfer from the vessel at the port of final
destination. It is important, too, that the necessary accommodation is available for such handlersand of
course victuals, bedding, etc. For small animals, and small quantities of animals, members of the crew
might reasonably be expected to act as attendants. For hygiene purposes such animals should not be allowed
into the accommodation.
Mammals
Small animals such as dogs, cats, monkeys, etc., may be a subject of interest to crew and passengers.
Precaution should be taken to prevent any teasing taking place or ad hoc feeding with titbits, etc. Some
individual animals become extremely nervous if peered at by a procession of strange human beings.
Crates, pens, stalls, etc., must allow adequate room for the animals to move, while providing appropriate
support against the rolling and pitching effects of the vessel. Adequate head room, particularly with regard
to horses, is most important. Typical height for that requirement would be:
Minimum Head Clearance
- Cattle 1,981mm (6´6)
- Horses (not ponies) 2,286mm (7´6)
- Large dogs 1,220mm (4´)
- Medium sized dogs 915mm (3´)
- Small dogs and cats 610mm (2´)
Other dimensions can also be extremely important; certain species of antelope when taking fright exhibit
the reflex action of trying to bound away, and it has been known for these animals to break their neck if
restricted by, for instance, the wall of a cage.
Heights, lengths and widths of stalls, crates or pens with regard to mammals are frequently governed by
legislation in countries of origin or destination.
Certain animals are dangerous if approached too closely by those who are not their regular handlers.
Appropriate notices should be displayed for crew, passengers, etc., where this applies.
Different types of mammals have different requirements:
- Camelsmay weigh from 810kg (16cwt) to 1,270kg (25cwt). Carried on deck at shipper's risk,
clause Bill of Lading "ship not responsible for mortality". For short passages in fine weather
latitudes they are just tethered to a line spread fore and aft along the deck. Some of these animals
are very vicious and given to biting any stranger within reach. Wounds so inflicted are very apt to
become septic, and however slight, should be given early and careful treatment. Camels should be
well watered before embarkation. For other than short passages, allow ten gallons of water, three or
four pounds of grain, in addition to green foodstuffs per day.
- Cattlethe voyage itself may form part of the quarantine period for the country of destination.It is
important therefore that no contamination, e.g. from personnel, etc., should take place at way ports
during the voyage. Vessels are usually exempt from all claims with respect to mortality, and bills of
lading should be claused accordingly.
Attendants are usually supplied and their wages paid by the shippers. Charter party or contract
should embody a provision to enable the owner to recover all expenses incurred in respect of
these menusually the victuals are provided free of charge by the shipincluding expenses for
repatriation which may amount to a large sum. They sign on ship's articles and are in all respects to
be subject to the discipline of the ship to the Master's authority.
- Horses and Mulesusually subject to statutory regulations of the country of origin and/or destination.
The average weights of horses: heavy horses, 712 kg (14cwt); cavalry, 560 kg (11cwt); light horse,
406kg (8cwt). Animals suffering during the voyage from broken legs or other serious injury must be
slaughtered by direction of the Master, hoof or other marks noted and the incident recorded in the
log. Slaughter should be carried out using an approved humane killer. The vessel is usually exempt
from all liability in respect of mortality or injury to animals, and the bill of lading should be claused
to that effect. Wet, mouldy or loose hay should never be accepted, no matter by whom supplied,
and the bales should be sufficiently well bound to keep them intact while being handled. Times of
feeding and watering are usually prescribed by the shipper whose representative generally proceeds
in the ship.
Usually horses and mules are fed and watered three times a daymorning, noon and
evening. Owing to their heating properties it is not customary and neither is it wise, to feed oats until
the voyage is well advanced and then not heavily. Dead animals should be got overboard as soon
as possible, as they quickly fill with nauseous gas offensive to both man and beast, and every effort
should be made to avoid entering port with carcasses of animals recently dead on board. Where a
choice exists, horses should not be positioned facing over the side of the vessel.
No attempt should be made to reduce the scantlings of fittings to horse boxes, stalls, pens, etc.,
below those recommended or required by law. The weight of an animal such as a horse or cow in a
heavy seaway can put enormous pressure or battering ram effect on all such fittings.
- Sheepuntil recent years sheep were carried in small numbers in essentially similar conditions to
other agricultural stock. However, the carriage of sheep, particularly from Australasia to the Persian
Gulf, has become a major trade and in the main converted vessels now carry as a specialist operation
live sheep of up to and in excess of 100,000 head.
This clearly requires different techniques in feeding. Prior to the vessel's arrival, sheep are
transported close to the loading place and their feeding is converted until they are able to thrive on
pellet food. Once this has been done, they are ready for loading. Mortality rates of under l2% have
been frequently achieved during the passage.
- Elephantscarried on deck at the shipper's risk. Bill of Lading to be claused "Ship not responsible
for mortality". They may also be tethered in a suitable position on appropriate vehicle decks on
Ro-Ro ships. A fully grown animal is three tons and over and varies from 2,286mm (7´6) to
2,743mm (9´) in height.
Special slings must be used for lifting these animals. Allow 115 litres (25
gallons) of water and 270 kg (600 lbs) of green foodstuff per day for each full grown animal.
Other useful articles :
- Assigning loadlines marks
Loadlines are marks punched into and painted on the sides of general cargo ships.The assigning of the vessels loadline and the issue of the Certificate is the
responsibility of the Marine Authority of the country. .
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-
Cargo ships Loaded Condition
closely monitor the ship's condition during cargo
operations to ensure that if a significant deviation from the agreed loading/unloading
plan is detected all cargo and ballast operations must STOP..
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Cargo handling procedure for heavy indivisible loads
Heavy indivisible loads may be defined as those which, because of their mass and/or shape cannot be
handled by the normal gear available on board ship or on the quay alongside.
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- Livestock handling brief procedure
The transport of animals is subject to legislation in many countries. Where risk of disease may exist this
legislation is rigorously enforced. In most cases the legislation not only covers the importation of animals,
but also the transit of animals, through a port.
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- Unitised cargo handling technics for general cargo ship
A grouping together of two or more items (usually of a homogeneous nature) and securing them with
banding, glue, shrinkwrap, slings (e.g. clover leaf), to form a unit which, .
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- Bagged Cargo handling procedure for general cargo ship
Bagged commodities need to be sufficiently robust to withstand external pressure and compression, as
the bag is designed to contain the contents rather than provide any substantial protection against external
damage. .
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- Bales & bundles handling procedure for general cargo ship
Most baled commodities are impervious to damage from
rolling or dropping from limited heights. However, it can be dangerous to drop bales of rubber due to their
ability to bounce in any direction..
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- Cases,Crates,Cartons, Drums,Barrels,Casks, etc.Handling technics
Cases and crates are usually constructed of plywood or thin low grade timber. Heavier cases may be built
up of 150mm×5mm (6×1) planks with strengthening pieces internally and externally while some are
built in a skeletal fashion to allow air to permeate through the contents and/or to reduce the weight. .
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- DG Cargo handling procedure for general cargo ship
The IMDG Code recognises nine broad classes of Dangerous Goods. For the correct classification and
labelling of Dangerous Goods reference should be made to the IMDG Code. .
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- Methods of ventilation used in general cargo ships
Ventilation of cargo may be necessary to remove heat, dissipate gas, help prevent condensation and/or
remove taint. Heat may be generated by live fruit, wet hides, vermin, and commodities liable to spontaneous
combustion .
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- Methods of stowage used in general cargo ships
The stowage factor of any cargo is the volume which a certain amount in weight of
that cargo occupies. It is usually measures in cubic feet per long ton or alternatively in
cubic metres per metric ton. If the stowage factor is 20, it indicates a heavy cargo. If it
is 100, it indicates that the cargo is light.
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- Special cargo handling in general cargo ships
Ventilation of cargo may be necessary to remove heat, dissipate gas, help prevent condensation and/or
remove taint. Heat may be generated by live fruit, wet hides, vermin, and commodities liable to spontaneous
combustion .
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- Intermediate Bulk Containers ( I.B.C.)handling technics - general cargo ship procedure
An I.B.C. is a disposable or re-usable container designed for the carriage of bulk commodities in
parcels of between 0.5 and 3.0 tonnes.
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- Dunnage requirement for general cargo ships
The traditional reasons for the use of dunnage have been largely superseded with the introduction of
containers and general cargo ships with shallower decks and holds.
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- Methods of refrigeration used in general cargo ships
Refrigeration is essentially the removal of heat through
the process of evaporation. We choose to refrigerate
commodities such as fruits and vegetables because we
want to prolong their “practical shelf life” – the time from
harvest until the product loses its commercial value.
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- Deck Cargo handling procedure for general cargo ship
A large variety of goods, because of their inherent properties (length, height, weight, etc.) may be carried
on deck. "On deck" means an uncovered space and includes deck houses having doors which can be
continuously open (except in heavy weather)..
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Packing a container recommended method
Packing a container should always be done on level plane either on the ground,on a railcar, or on a trailer. In the case of a trailer, care should be taken to ensure the trailer cannot tip whilst being packed especially if a forklift truck is being used. If necessary the trailer should be propped. Brakes should be securely applied and wheels choked.
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- Packing principles relating to cargo in containers
Where relevant, stowing should be carried out in a sequence which will permit
rapid checking and storage operations during and after unloading. Should the
consignment include cargo subject to customs pre-entry procedures, customs
examination would be made easier and unloading avoided if the cargo were
stowed at the end of the container by the door.
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- Container Securing guidance
Containers have very little strength in any direction other than vertically
through the corner posts thus it is necessary to provide substantial support
to the containers when they are on the ship. Stowage of containers is with
their longer dimension fore and aft since the ship motion transmitted to
cargo is greater in rolling than pitching and it is therefore prudent to limit
any possible cargo movement within the container to the shorter transverse
dimension.
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- Trim and stability booklet for cargo ships
Contain either curves of form or hydrostatic tables and stability and trim characteristics for various conditions of loading
.
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- Broken stowage? Cargo ships guideline
The access shall be separate from the hatchway opening, and shall be by a stairway if possible. A fixed ladder, or a line of fixed rungs, shall have no point where they fill a reverse slope
.
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Ship type, design and facilities for cargo
Cargo gear is designed for speed and flexibility for handling breakbulk, palletized, or container cargo. Various combinations of derricks,
winches, and deck cranes are used for the handling of cargo. Cranes are fitted on many vessels to reduce manpower requirements. Some ships
have special heavy-lift derricks that may serve one or more holds. Booms are rigged for either yard and stay (burton) or swinging-boom
operation.
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- Cargo ships structural plans- how to use them
Structural plans, sometimes called scantlings plans, show dimensions of the ships framing and plating. The midships section drawing, generally available for all ships
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