Annex E

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Testing, Examination and Certification

All lashings and components used for the securing of the cargo on board a ship shall be tested and certified at least once every four years.

1. Chain when used as a lashing, shall have:

1. a breaking strength of not less than 13,600 kg.
2. an elongation of not more than 5 per cent at 80 per cent of its breaking strength; and
3. a link weld capable of 90 degree cold bend without separation.

2. Flexible steel wire rope when used as a lashing, shall

1. have a breaking strength of not less than 13,600 kg.; and
2. be not less than 16 mm in diameter.

3. Components shall have a breaking strength of not less than 14,100 kg.

4. For purposes of retesting and recertification, all components and all lashings shall:

1. exhibit no permanent deformation after having been subjected to a proof load of not less than forty per cent of original breaking strength; and
2. not be subjected to treatment,
   1. prior to testing, that may hide defects, and
   2. after testing liable to change the mechanical properties or strength, which would invalidate the test certificate.

5. Where used in the securing of cargo, every lashing, component and eye plate permanently attached to the ship shall,

1. undergo a visual examination by the Port Warden before loading or securing cargo, and
2. where a Port Warden doubts the good condition or certification,
   1. be rejected, and not used in securing cargo; or
   2. be tested and certified in accordance with Section 4; or
   3. in the case of eye plates permanently attached to the ship, be tested and certified by a competent person to meet or exceed the required strength for lashings.

6. Where a lashing or component has suffered a loss of strength due to corrosion, wear down or any other weakening cause, it shall be retested

1. up to a ten per cent reduction in cross section by application of a proofload
2. up to a twenty per cent, or more, reduction in cross section by testing random sections of the lashings or random pieces of components to destruction. Any such selection to be to the satisfaction of the Port Warden.

7. Certificates shall be issued for all lashings and components used in securing the cargo and be related by an identification number or code to the lashing or component to which it applies. The certificates shall be kept on board the ship loading the timber deck cargo and be made available for examination by a Port Warden.

8. Where lashings or components are tested or retested pursuant to Section 4 and a certificate is issued pursuant to Section 7, the certificate shall be endorsed with the date and details of the testing or retesting and shall be signed by the competent person who conducted the test.

9. All testing, marking and certification shall be performed by a competent person and conform with national regulations or an appropriate standard of an internationally recognized standards institute.

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