GB1388898A - Cargo vessel and a method of loading such a vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

1388898 Cargo ships ASCARGO SA 20 March 1972 12841/72 Headings B7A and B7S [Also in Division B8] A cargo vessel comprises spaced apart pairs of parallel rails 10 each pair being secured at a selected vertical level beneath a hatch opening 3, and supporting at least four parallel girders 5, 6, 7, 8 extending transversely thereto which may be displaced along the rails whereby any pair of adjacent girders may be positioned beneath the opening 3. First and second loaded pallets 16, 19 are lowered in sequence through the hatch opening 3 on to an end pair of girders such as 7, 8 so positioned, the first and second pallets being displaced respectively towards opposite ends of the girders leaving room, centrally of the girders, to receive further pallets 17, 18. The loaded girders are then displaced along the rails and the other end pair of girders 5, 6 positioned beneath the hatch 3 to be loaded with a further set of pallets 20, 21, 22, 23 by a similar routine and then displaced in the opposite direction from the first pair of girders. Thereby the innermost of the girders 6, 7 are positioned beneath the opening 3 to receive therebetween a further set of pallets 24, 25, 26, 27. The operation is repeated on girders supported by rails at successively higher levels. The girders may have wheels or rollers engaging the rails and those pallets need to be displaced along the girders may be provided with wheels for this purpose. The vertical spacing between the rails may be adjustable. When the hold or its lower portion is to be converted for bulk cargo, the appropriate girders are moved to the ends of the rails or are supported upon or hung under the upper deck. The pallets are stored on the upper deck. The girders may be shifted by hydraulic or pneumatic mechanism. The pallets are described as omnipallets which can consist of one or several small pallets or one or several containers.