HIGHER PLIMSOLL

Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1932, Page 3

HIGHER PLIMSOLL

| FO]{ OIL-TANKER. j B KiS TO GO j WELLING'I’ON, June, 14. I The Lnion Company’s motor-tanker Otokia, which is berthed at the Clyde Quay Wharf, is at present undergoing ian interesting alteration in that .her | Plimsoll line, is being raised 14 inches, j This is in accordance with the new | load line regulations laid down by tile ! Intercolonial Load Line -Conference j hold in London in 1930, and at which i 30 maritime countries, including New j Zealand, were represented. The Otokia ! is the first New Zealand-owned vessel j to alter her Plimsoll /line in accordance i with tlie new regulations, which allow 1 greater benefit to tankers than to other ! types of vessel. In the case of the Otokia the 14 inches additional draught ; will add 700 tons to her deadweight carrying capacity. Another alteration iat present: being carried out on the Otokia Is the.,removal of her steel ; bulwarks, which-, will be replaced with ordinary steel railings. This has been donef-dto provide a greater “freeing area,” that- is, to. allow .water shipped in heavy weather tin (dear ■ off the decks more quickly than was possible with the bulwarks in place. '■ Tankers are a,s a rule very “wot” ships owing to their having less fro-e----1 Minrd than ordinary cargo ships, and with the raising of the Otokin’s I’limso’l Lne. and consequent lessening of water shipped became more necessary than before. ! Up fill the presold lime load lineis were fixed within tire Km pin* by Hie llritish Hoard of Trade Regiilattions of 1909. but under those of the 1930 eniilYronoc shipowners may either leave j their Pliinsfill hue" vs they iii at-

cordanco with the I DOG regulations, or if it henefibs them, that is raises the. Plimsoll and gives a. greater carrying capacity, under the 1939 regulations t]’«swiw take .vih i l I w^ a s e ° r t!i< - load lines. . i ... ' ! l'p,;,no ease wiefk’: Ujf* no "' I'egukp tjoil's would lower the Plimsoll line, and thus decrease currying capacity is it necessary for the shipowner to make any alteration in Iris Plimsoll lines. The Otokia. which is regularly engaged in carrying bulk--fuel-oil from San Pedro to Wellington for the Union Company, is to dock here- ns soon n.s (lie Mnkiirn has completed her overhaul and survey in the Jubilee floating dock.