Stowage, Segregation, and Securing on Board
Placing goods on the ship
Stowage codes in the Dangerous Goods List tell you where goods may be carried: on deck, under deck, away from living quarters, away from heat sources, and so on. Segregation codes govern separation from other dangerous goods and from incompatible materials, using the segregation table and the "away from," "separated from," "separated by a complete compartment or hold from," and "separated longitudinally by an intervening complete compartment or hold from" distances. Securing requires that packages and units be lashed and blocked so they cannot move in a seaway. The master must be satisfied that the stowage plan reflects the Code.
Traps candidates fall into
- Applying the segregation table without checking the entry-specific segregation code.
- Confusing "away from" with "separated from"; the distances and barriers differ.
- Forgetting that subsidiary risks also drive segregation.
- Overlooking securing requirements for containers on deck.
Rule of thumb
Read the stowage and segregation codes from the List first, then apply the segregation table. When in doubt, segregate more strictly, not less.