Section 1 General

1.1.1 These Rules apply to ships which intend to operate within the limits of the Great Lakes and the River St. Lawrence, with the seaward limit, as a straight line drawn from Cap des Rosiers on the Gaspe Peninsula to the west point of Anticosti Island and from Anticosti Island to the north shore of the River St. Lawrence along the meridian of longitude sixty-three degrees west. See Figure 4.1.1 Sketch of the map of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and River St. Lawrence showing the seaward and freshwater limits of service.

Figure 4.1.1 Sketch of the map of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and River St. Lawrence showing the seaward and freshwater limits of service

1.1.2 Except as indicated in these Rules, the relevant requirements of Pt 3 Ship Structures (General) and Pt 4 Ship Structures (Ship Types) of LR’s Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships, July 2022 will apply. IACS Common Structural Rules for Bulk Carriers will not apply.

1.1.3 In addition to cases where direct calculation methods are specifically required by the Rules, LR will consider alternative arrangements and scantlings which have been derived by direct calculations in lieu of specific Rule requirements. All direct calculations are to be submitted for examination.

1.1.4 For the application of these Rules under Canadian or United States registration, the ship requires to have load lines assigned in accordance with the requirements of the relevant inland Load Line Regulations.

1.1.5 The joint requirements, required for a ship to transit the St. Lawrence Seaway between Montreal and Lake Ontario and between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie are given in the publication "The Seaway Handbook", details of which can be found on the web page: http:\\www.greatlakes-seaway.com

1.2.1 This Chapter applies to single deck ships, of steel, welded construction, with or without self-unloading equipment, with side wing tanks and a double bottom throughout the cargo region, designed for the carriage of bulk dry cargoes. Machinery compartment will be arranged aft with accommodation arranged forward or aft. However, consideration will be given to other arrangements on the basis of the requirements of these Rules. See Figure 4.1.2 Typical Great Lakes Bulk Carrier without self-unloading equipment, Figure 4.1.3 Typical Great Lakes Bulk Carrier with self-unloading equipment and Figure 4.1.4 Typical Great Lakes Bulk Carrier with recessed hopper structure with self-unloading equipment.

Figure 4.1.2 Typical Great Lakes Bulk Carrier without self-unloading equipment

Figure 4.1.3 Typical Great Lakes Bulk Carrier with self-unloading equipment

Figure 4.1.4 Typical Great Lakes Bulk Carrier with recessed hopper structure with self-unloading equipment

1.2.2 Longitudinal framing is to be adopted at the strength deck outside the line of openings and topside area and double bottom in way of the cargo holds.

1.2.3 Transverse or longitudinal framing may be adopted for the side wing tank structure.

1.2.4 Ships complying with these requirements will require to have a collision bulkhead, located as in Ch 4, 9.3 Collision bulkhead 9.3.1, an after peak bulkhead, generally enclosing the sterntube in a watertight compartment and a watertight bulkhead at the forward end of the engine room. Additional bulkheads or equivalent supporting structures are to be arranged in order to provide adequate transverse strength.

1.3.1 In general, ships complying with the requirements of this Chapter will be eligible to be classed 100A1 Great Lakes Bulk Carrier with the specified operating service area notation for Service on the Great Lakes and River St. Lawrence and where applicable, with the descriptive note, Self Unloading stated in column 6 of the Register Book.

1.3.2 Ships intended to be operated only in suitable areas or conditions, which have been agreed by the Committee, as defined in Ch 1, 2 Governance of the Rules for Ships, will receive individual consideration on the basis of the Rules, with respect to the environmental conditions agreed for the design basis and approval.

1.3.3 The Regulations for classification and assignment of class notations are given in Pt 1 Regulations of the Rules for Ships to which reference should be made. The requirements for New Construction Surveys are given in Pt 1, Ch 2, 3.2 New construction surveys of the Rules for Ships.

1.3.4 The notation IWS (In-water Survey), according to Pt 1, Ch 2, 2.3 Class notations (hull) 2.3.10, of the Rules for Ships, is not applicable.

1.3.5 The notation ESP (Enhanced Survey Programme), according to Pt 1, Ch 2, 2.3 Class notations (hull) 2.3.11 of the Rules for Ships, is not applicable.

1.3.6 The notation ESN (Enhanced Survivability Notation), according to Pt 1, Ch 2, 2.3 Class notations (hull) 2.3.12 of the Rules for Ships, is not applicable.

1.3.7 ShipRight notations SDA, FDA and CM are, in general, not applicable.

1.3.8 The notation LI will be assigned where an approved loading instrument has been installed.

1.4.1  Principal particulars are to be taken in accordance with Pt 3, Ch 1, 6.1 Principal particulars of the Rules for Ships, unless specified otherwise in these Rules:

1.4.2  Screen Bulkhead is a non-watertight transverse bulkhead between the cargo holds, see Figure 4.1.5 Typical screen bulkhead, with no self-unloading equipment fitted and Figure 4.1.6 Typical screen bulkhead, with self-unloading equipment fitted.

Figure 4.1.5 Typical screen bulkhead, with no self-unloading equipment fitted

Figure 4.1.6 Typical screen bulkhead, with self-unloading equipment fitted

1.4.3  Arch Web is a strength deck transverse in cargo hold between the cargo hatches, see Figure 4.1.7 Nomenclature.

Figure 4.1.7 Nomenclature

1.4.4  Strength Deck is the uppermost continuous weather deck, occasionally referred to as the Upper Deck or Spar Deck, see Figure 4.1.7 Nomenclature.

1.4.5  Engine Room Gangway Doors. Side shell port and/or starboard doors in way of the engine room for stores use.

1.4.6  Position 1 and Position 2. For the purpose of freeboard assignment in accordance with the requirements of the relevant National Authority Load Line Regulations, see Ch 4, 1.1 Application 1.1.4, the definition given in Pt 3, Ch 1, 6.6 Position 1 and Position 2 of the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships, July 2022, shall apply.

1.5.1 Alternative arrangements or fittings, which are considered to be equivalent to the requirements of these Rules, will be accepted.

1.6.1 Requirements are to be in accordance with Pt 3, Ch 1, 8 Inspection and workmanship of the Rules for Ships.

1.7.1 Where plating thicknesses as determined by the Rules are required to be rounded, then this should be carried out to the nearest half millimetre, with thicknesses 0,75 mm and 0,25 mm being rounded up.

For example,

• for 10,75 ≤ t < 11,25 mm, the Rule required thickness is 11,0 mm;
• for 11,25 ≤ t < 11,75 mm, the Rule required thickness is 11,5 mm.