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Common Structural Rules for Bulk Carriers Chapter 2, Section 3Section 3 - ACCESS ARRANGEMENT1. General1.1 Means of access to cargo and other spaces1.1.1Ref. SOLAS Reg.II-1/3-6 .2.1 (Resolution MSC.151(78))Each space is to be provided with means of access to enable, throughout the life of a ship, overall and close-upinspections and thickness measurements of the ship’s structures. Such means of access are to comply with [1.3]and [2].1.1.2Ref. SOLAS Reg.II-1/3-6 .2.2 (Resolution MSC.151(78))Where a permanent means of access may be susceptible to damage during normal cargo loading and unloadingoperations or where it is impracticable to fit permanent means of access, the Administration may allow, in lieuthereof, the provision of movable or portable means of access, as specified in [2], provided that the means ofattaching, rigging, suspending or supporting the portable means of access forms a permanent part of the ship’sstructure. All portable equipment are to be capable of being readily erected or deployed by ship’s personnel.1.1.3Ref. SOLAS Reg.II-1/3-6 .2.3 (Resolution MSC.151(78))The construction and materials of all means of access and their attachment to the ship’s structure are to be to thesatisfaction of the Society.1.2 Safe access to cargo holds, ballast tanks and other spaces1.2.1Ref. SOLAS Reg.II-1/3-6 .3.1 (Resolution MSC.151(78)) and IACS UI SC191Safe access to cargo holds, cofferdams, ballast tanks and other spaces in the cargo area are to be direct from theopen deck and such as to ensure their complete inspection. Safe access to double bottom spaces or to forwardballast tanks may be from a pump-room, deep cofferdam, pipe tunnel, cargo hold, double hull space or similarcompartment not intended for the carriage of oil or hazardous cargoes.Access to a double side skin space may be either from a topside tank or double bottom tank or from both.1.2.2Ref. SOLAS Reg.II-1/3-6 .3.2 (Resolution MSC.151(78))Tanks, and subdivisions of tanks, having a length of 35 m or more, are to be fitted with at least two accesshatchways and ladders, as far apart as practicable.Tanks less than 35 m in length are to be served by at least one access hatchway and ladder.When a tank is subdivided by one or more swash bulkheads or similar obstructions which do not allow readymeans of access to the other parts of the tank, at least two hatchways and ladders are to be fitted.July 2008 Page 15