The UK P&I Club says that with the support of several Members, it has launched "Book it right and pack it tight" - a set of four guidebooks on the workings of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.
The books are designed to provide busy operational people, who are not experts in the IMDG Code, with a quick reference and practical everyday guidance to the IMDG Code rules. They were published again in September 2013, and include changes from the IMDG Code Amendment 36-2012 (Effective from Jan 2013).
The guidebooks
Each set of the guidebooks is accompanied with a CD containing presentations that explain the contents of the guidebooks. These extensive presentations are designed to also be used by managers in the training of personnel in how the guidebooks should be used.
The publishers explain that every day thousands of cargo transport units carrying dangerous goods are carried on ships. Many of these consignments are potentially a major hazard unless the dangerous goods inside the cargo transport units have been properly identified to the shipping line, packed and secured to make them safe against the predictable stresses the load will endure during carriage by sea, particularly in bad weather. It is accepted that guidance and resources for training personnel in how to safely stow containers for sea is not readily available. This is particularly evident at in-shore loading facilities, far away from ports. That is why these Guidebooks have been produced.
The Guidebooks are also accompanied with a free app, Hazcheck DGL LITE, which is available for iPhone, Blackberry and Android, and provides quick and easy access to information in the IMDG Code.
The series is accompanied by a UK Club DVD 'Any Fool Can Stuff A Container'. The Atlantic simulator featured in the video demonstrates the affect on a cargo container of the roll of a vessel at sea. The video identifies that a vessel also pitches, sways and yaws and that a cargo container may also experience these conditions above or below deck.
'Book it Right & Pack it Tight' can be purchased from http://www.ics-shipping.org/
