inspecting ammunition stored on vessels

SUBCOURSE EDITIONMM3686 7

US ARMY AMMUNITION INSPECTORMOS 55X SKILL LEVEL 3 COURSE

INSPECTING AMMUNITIONSTORED ON VESSELS

US ARMY ORDNANCEMISSILE AND MUNITIONS CENTER AND SCHOOL

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COM

AUTHOR Ammunition InspectorSSG James B. Gosha Munitions Training Department

AUTOVON: 746-3512Commercial: (205) 876-3512

US Army Ammunition InspectorMOS 55X Skill Level 3 Course

INSPECTING AMMUNITIONSTORED ON VESSELS

Subcourse MM3686

US Army Ordnance Missile and Munitions Center and SchoolFort Lee, Virginia

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This publication is provided for nonresident instruction only. It reflects the current thought of this school and conforms to published Department of the Army doctrine as closely as possible.

Users of this publication are encouraged to recommend changes and submit comments for its improvement. Comments should be keyed to the specific page and line of the text to which the change is recommended. Reasons will be provided for each comment to ensure understanding and complete evaluation. Comments should be prepared using DA Form 2028 (Recommended Changes to Publications and Blank Forms) and forwardeddirectly to: Missile and Munitions, United States Army Combined Arms Support Command, Fort Lee, Virginia 23801-1809.

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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION, 4

Supplementary Requirements, 4Credit Hours, 4

LESSON 1: PRELOADING AND LOADING INSPECTIONS (Task: 093-404-3126), 6

Preloading Procedures, 6Port Facility Handlers, 6Documentation, 6

Cargo Inspection, 10Railcars, 10MILVANs, 10

Safety Inspections, 10Preload Safety Inspection, 15Loading Safety Inspection, 16

Review Exercises, 17

LESSON 2: STOWAGE INSPECTIONS (Task: 093-404-3126), 19

Inspection Charts, 19Compatibility Charts, 19Classification, Handling, and Stowage Chart, 19

Inspecting Stowage on Vessels, 27Cargo Hold Stowage, 27On-Deck Stowage, 28Damaged and Defective Ammunition, 28

Review Exercises, 29

EXERCISE SOLUTIONS, 33

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INTRODUCTION

As an ammunition inspector, MOS 55X, you may be assigned to a surveillance section at a port facility where you may be called upon to inspect the cargo and oversee the safety of loading operations of a ship. This subcourse covers the criteria for preloading, loading, stowage, and safety inspections.

Supplementary Requirements

There are no supplementary requirements in material or personnel for this subcourse. You will need only this book and will work without supervision.

Credit Hours

Two credit hours will be awarded for the successful completion of this subcourse-a score of at least 70 on the end-of-subcourse examination.

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MM3686, Lesson 1

Lesson 1PRELOADING AND LOADING INSPECTIONS

TASK This lesson is based on the following task from STP 9-55X34-SM-TG: 093-404-3126, Inspect Munitions Stowed on Vessels.

OBJECTIVES When you have completed this lesson, you should be able to describe the procedures an ammunition inspector follows for inspecting munitions to be loaded on a vessel. You should also be able to describe how to monitor the safe handling and stowing of the ammunition and explosives. Finally, you should be able to complete correctly DA Form 361 and DA Form 364.

CONDITIONS You will have this subcourse book and will work without supervision.

STANDARD You must score at least 75 on the end-of-subcourse examination that covers this lesson and Lesson 2 (answer 12 of the 15 questions correctly).

An ammunition inspector in a surveillance section at a port facility may have to inspect the munitions cargo and the preloading and loading safety procedures of a vessel. This lesson covers cargo and safety inspections and the sources of information needed to conduct these inspections. The lesson also covers the forms that the inspector must fill out to identify defective ammunition and incorrect ammunition shipments.

PRELOADING PROCEDURES

Port Facility Planners

Before the cargo or vessel arrives at a port facility, port personnel have planned everything for the loading of the vessel, including the exact location of the ammunition cargo. This is an important operational step, because the vessel is loaded from the bottom to the top through cargo-hold hatches (doors). Munitions to be loaded on the vessel will be called forward, as they are to be loaded, from the ammunition holding area. Munitions cannot be delayed on the pier, where they would pose an explosive safety hazard. Quantity-distance standards must be maintained if munitions are on a pier awaiting loading. A cutaway view of the holds of a cargo ship is shown in Figure 1-1.

Documentation

Before the actual loading operation begins, the ammunition inspector must study the traffic flow chart of the port, the ship's manifest, and the vessel's stowage plan to ensure that all of the information required is on hand.

Traffic Flow Chart. The traffic flow chart of a port facility gives an overall view of the operation being conducted. See the traffic flow chart in Figure 1-2.

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Figure 1-1. Storage Holds in a Cargo Ship.

Figure 1-2. A Traffic Flow Chart.

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Ship's Manifest. A ship's manifest is a printout that includes at least the following:

The name of the vessel and its official number. (If the vessel has no official number, the international radio call sign is used as a substitute.)

The nationality of the vessel.

The cargo capacity, which is the tonnage in bulk cargo shipments or the number and description of the outside containers-military-owned demountable containers (MILVANs)-and their gross weight.

The name of the master or another officer of the vessel authorized to sign for the master.

An example of a ship's manifest is given in Figure 1-3.

Figure 1-3. A Ship's Manifest.

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Vessel's Stowage Plan. More of the information the ammunition inspector needs is contained in the vessel's stowage plan:

The classification of the munitions being loaded (BOE 6000).

The shipping name and quantity of all ammunition and explosives as listed in the commodity list of the chart, §146.29-100, Bureau of Explosives Tariff No. BOE-6000 (BOE 6000).

The Department of Transportation (DOT) labels applied to the munitions packages, if required.

The stowage space identifying code and its location for the munitions being loaded. For example, 5-3-1-H indicates on what deck, in what compartment, and where in the compartment that particular ammunition is to be stowed.

Any vessel transporting or storing military explosives or hazardous munitions must, when in navigable waters of the United States, have on board a dangerous cargo manifest, list, or stowage plan (BOE 6000). Check the stowage plan against the compatibility chart of BOE 6000 to ensure that the items to be stowed are compatible. See the example of a vessel's stowage plan in Figure 1-4.

Figure 1-4. A Vessel's Stowage Plan.

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CARGO INSPECTION

Once all the necessary documents have been reviewed and found satisfactory, the ammunition inspector inspects the cargo that is to be loaded on the vessel. The cargo to be inspected will almost always consist of railcars or MILVANs loaded with munitions.

Railcars

Most ammunition and explosives arrive at the port facility by railcar. Each railcar must be inspected for evidence of tampering (such as broken seals) or of being otherwise unsatisfactory. BOE 6000 is used for the inspection standards. If any discrepancies are found, the railcar must be moved to a "suspect area" for further inspection and special handling. The suspect area should be a safe distance away from other ammunition andexplosives and should be barricaded. The proper DOT placards should be on railcars that are loaded with ammunition and explosives.

All ammunition and explosives not being shipped in sealed, reuseable containers (CONNEX, etc.) should be inspected. They must be packed, marked, labeled, certified, and otherwise in accordance with BOE 6000.

Any explosive or chemical warfare agent showing evidence of leaking, excessive dampness, oil stain, or damage to such an extent that the packaging material can not protect the ammunition or explosives must not be accepted for stowage aboard a vessel. Any rejected items must be removed to a designated isolated area as quickly as possible. The owners of the ammunition should be notified for instructions on proper disposition.

MILVANs

Less frequently, ammunition and explosives are preloaded in MILVANs for shipment to overseas locations. MILVANs must be inspected, using Military Handbook 138, Container Inspection Handbook for Commercial and Military Intermodal Containers (Dry Cargo Type), for evidence of tampering or rough handling. The security seals must not be broken, and the MILVANs must be properly marked with DOT placards.

If a MILVAN has been involved in an accident, a thorough inspection of the cargo must be made to determine the extent of damage and the degree of hazard. All damaged shipments should be reported on Standard Form (SF) 361 (Discrepancy Shipment Report), commonly called DISREP. See Figure 1-5 on pages 11 and 12 for an example of a completed DISREP.

Trailers with MILVANs on them should arrive properly blocked and braced. If, however, one arrives at the port facility with improper blocking and bracing or a displaced center gate, fill out and submit a DISREP. If there has been damage enough to inspect the cargo and it is discovered that the ammunition has improper packaging, is in incorrect quantities, etc., fill out and submit an SF 364 (Report of Discrepancy), commonly called ROD. See Figure 1-6 on pages 13 and 14 for a completed SF 364.

SAFETY INSPECTIONS

The ammunition inspector observes all ammunition operations for a vessel to ensure they are free of safety violations. Safety inspections include both preloading and loading phases of an operation.

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Figure 1-5. Completed SF 361 (Discrepancy in Shipment Report), Front.

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Figure 1-5. Completed SF 361 (Discrepancy in Shipment Report) -Continued, Back.

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Figure 1-6. Completed SF 364 (Report of Discrepancy), Front.

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Figure 1-6. Completed SF 364 (Report of Discrepancy)-Continued, Back.

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Preload Safety Inspection

There must be a preload safety inspection of the vessel and of the equipment that will be used for loading operations to ensure the following:

Holds. They are cleared of all rubbish and discarded dunnage. They are swept and hosed down. Metal surfaces are covered with wood if military explosives are to be stowed in them. See Figure 1-7. All electric wiring in them has been inspected. All electrical explosive circuits that terminate in holds where ammunition and

Figure 1-7. Wood-Lined Hold Loaded with 155-Millimeter Propelling Charges.

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explosives will be loaded must be de-energized. The circuit fuzes must be removed or the circuit breakers inactivated. The main panel must be tagged to warn personnel against re-energizing the circuits. The circuits must remain de-energized while ammunition and explosives are stowed within the hold.

Electronic Equipment. All radios, radars, etc., that can radiate electromagnetic energy must be de-energized by opening the vessel's main switches before loading. Switches must be tagged to warn personnel against operating them.

Mechanical Equipment. All working equipment, such as winches, booms, firefighting equipment, and contractor's and stevedore's equipment, must be safe and in working condition. All lights, tools, and portable equipment must meet the safety standards as prescribed in BOE 6000.

Fire Hoses. Fire hoses must be laid out (run out) and must be ready for use. At least two lines (hoses) must be laid out on the weather deck (the main deck of the ship), one fore and the other aft. The lines must be long enough so that a stream of water from at least one can reach all areas of the weather deck. The valves of the lines must remain cracked open (except in freezing weather) so it is obvious that water is available. Additional lines must be laid out when ammunition and explosives are being loaded in the hold whenever the hatch of the hold is open. Fire axes must be available to cut mooring lines if there is an emergency.

Other Areas. All decks, gangways (hallways), and hatches where military ammunition and explosives pass or will be handled are free of loose material and are broom clean. "No smoking" warning signs are posted in conspicuous places on the vessel as well as on the loading pier. Boiler room and engine room bilges are clean and free of oil and residue. Vessel smokestacks and pipes have spark screens installed. All tubes and uptakes on the vessel have been thoroughly swept and are free of soot.

Loading Safety Inspection

Proper safety precautions and requirements must be met and adhered to during loading operations. Any safety violation seen must be corrected. Sometimes operations must be stopped immediately to prevent personnel injury.

Fire Prevention. Smoking must be allowed only in authorized areas. No one may carry matches or flame-producing devices on board during loading or unloading operations. Fire prevention must be stressed while the vessel is being loaded or unloaded. No fires may be permitted on the loading dock or vessel while ammunition and explosives are being handled or loaded.

Welding Operations. No welding or cutting operations may take place while the vessel is being loaded with ammunition-except in emergency situations and then only with approval of the captain of the port (usually the US Coast Guard commander, sometimes Navy).

Boiler Cleaning. Cleaning the fire side of the boilers may not take place while the vessel is being loaded with ammunition or explosives at the port. No work may be done on the main propulsion machinery, auxiliaries, or boilers if it would present a safety hazard to the vessel or port.

Escape Plan. Every self-propelled vessel that is loading or unloading ammunition and explosives must be able to move out of port quickly if necessary. Those vessels not self-propelled must have at least one tug available to move them.

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Warning Devices. During loading operations, the vessel must display a large red flag from its masthead. The flag must measure at least 16 square feet and its bottom must be raised at least 10 feet above the upper deck. During night operations and for those vessels without a masthead, a red light must be displayed. Displaying this flag or light warns all personnel that ammunition is being loaded.

Ammunition Handling. All ammunition and explosives being loaded aboard a vessel must be handled carefully. Containers must not be rolled, dropped, dragged, tumbled, walked, or slid over each other or over the deck or otherwise subjected to shock. There is one exception: heavy containers of military explosives equipped with pulling bar assemblies and skids may be positioned in the holds of vessels by using the pulling bar assemblies to maneuver the containers for a short distance at low speeds.

REVIEW EXERCISES

Circle the letter of the correct answer to each question.

1. What is the meaning of the Code T1 on SF 364?

a. Improperly marked.

b. Missing.

c. Illegible.

d. Misdirected.

2. You are checking the ship's manifest of a vessel that is going to be loaded with ammunition. Whose name is on it?

a. The captain of the port.

b. The load master.

c. The ship's master.

d. The ammunition inspector.

3. A vessel has started loading operations involving explosives, and you notice that a yellow flag is being displayed from the masthead. Is this correct?

a. Yes.

b. No.

4. Where must fire hoses be laid out when ammunition is being loaded?

a. Fore.

b. Aft.

c. Fore and aft.

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5. You are inspecting the stowage plan for compatibility. What publication will you use to determine the compatibility of the ammunition being loaded aboard the vessel?

a. TM 9-1300-206.

b. AMC 385-100.

c. GFR 37.

d. BOE 6000.

Recheck your answers to the Review Exercises. When you are satisfied that you have answered every question to the best of your ability, check your answers against the Exercise Solutions. If you missed one or more questions, you should retake the entire lesson, paying particular attention to the areas in which your answers wereincorrect.

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MM3686, Lesson 2

Lesson 2 STOWAGE INSPECTION

TASK This lesson is based on the following task from STP 9-55X34-SM-TG: 093-404-3126, Inspect Munitions Stowed on Vessels.

OBJECTIVES When you have completed this lesson, you should be able to identify the proper stowage configuration for ammunition loaded aboard a vessel. You should also be able to identify the different classes of ammunition that can and cannot be stored together on a vessel by using compatibility charts and the classification, handling, and stowage chart.

CONDITIONS You will have this subcourse book and will work without supervision.

STANDARD You must score at least 75 on the end-of-subcourse examination that covers this lesson and Lesson 1 (answer 12 of the 15 questions correctly).

An ammunition inspector assigned to a surveillance section at a port facility must ensure that ammunition is properly stowed on a vessel. To do this, the inspector must be able to use the compatibility and classification, handling, and stowage charts for the ammunition and explosives loaded aboard a vessel. This lesson covers using inspection charts to inspect munitions stowage.

INSPECTION CHARTS

Compatibility Charts

The compatibility charts in Figures 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3 should be used when ammunition and explosives are stowed aboard vessels. Chart A (Figures 2-1 and 2-2) is used when various classes of military explosives are being loaded. Chart B (Figure 2-3) is used when fuel and oxidizers found in Classes XI-C and XI-D are being loaded.

In the charts, shaded circles mean that the items cannot be stored together. A shaded circle at the intersection of the horizontal and vertical columns in Chart A indicates what particular class of ammunition can not be stowed in the same hold. In Chart B the two shaded circles indicate what cannot be stowed together.

The letters on Chart A provide further information on the stowage of that particular class of ammunition. This information is used for inspecting mixed ammunition and explosives stowed aboard a vessel.

Classification, Handling, and Stowage Chart

Ammunition and explosives have specific reactions when they are involved in a fire. Crews of vessels loaded with ammunition or explosives must understand that ammunition reacts as outlined in the Classification, Handling, and Stowage Chart. (Extracts of the chart are given in Figure 2-4.)

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Figure 2-1. Chart A-Compatibility Chart for Various Classes of Military Explosives and Hazardous Munitions, Extracted from BOE 6000.

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Figure 2-2. Notes to Chart A from Paragraph § 146.29-99, Extracted from BOE 6000.

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Figure 2-3. Chart B-Compatibility Chart for Various Items Within Class XI-C and Class XI-D, Extracted from BOE 6000.

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Figure 2-4. § 146.29-100 Classification, Handling, and Stowage Chart, Extracted from BOE 6000.

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Figure 2-4. § 146.29-100 Classification, Handling, and Stowage Chart, Extracted from BOE 6000 - Continued.

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Figure 2-4. § 146.29-100 Classification, Handling, and Stowage Chart, Extracted from BOE 6000-Continued.

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Because some explosives are so sensitive, they are listed in the relatively unknown Class XII for storage and compatibility purposes. The explosives in this three-item class are raw materials for many of the more common classes. These items must always be stored in a separate storage compartment aboard vessels. The three types of explosives in Class XII are: ammonium nitrate, wet nitrocellulose (wet with 20 percent water), and wet nitrocellulose (wet with 30 percent alcohol). When these items are shipped by vessel they must be classified as follows:

Ammonium nitrate as an oxidizing material.

Wet nitrocellulose (wet with 20 percent water) as a flammable solid.

Wet nitrocellulose (wet with 30 percent alcohol) as a flammable liquid.

INSPECTING STOWAGE ON VESSELS

All ammunition and explosives loaded aboard a vessel are under the general control of the Coast Guard, which has the final say on what can be loaded aboard a vessel.

Cargo-Hold Stowage

All military explosives stowed must conform with the provisions of BOE 6000. When ammunition and explosives have to be mixed with other hazardous items in the same cargo hold on a vessel, the compatibility charts must be used (Figures 2-1 and 2-3).

Military explosives must not be stowed in a cargo hold or any other hold containing coal. Furthermore, if a cargo hold has household goods, personal effects, or mail, military explosives must not be stowed above or below the hold.

Three types of explosives must be given additional consideration when loaded on board the vessel: toxic chemical ammunition, pyrotechnic material, and Class VIII items.

Toxic Chemical Ammunition. Toxic chemical ammunition must be in a deep tank or a lower hold. When this ammunition is stowed in a deep tank, the tank's suction pumps must be sealed with a blank flange. The blank flange prevents inadvertent leaking of chemical agents. When the pump is sealed, the blank flange must be placed on the suction side of the bilge pump manifold. If chemical ammunition is stowed in the lower hold or other compartments, the hatch cover ventilators and suction pumps must also be sealed to contain any leakage that may take place.

Pyrotechnic Material. All pyrotechnic material must be kept away from heat and protected from moisture. Pyrotechnic items must not be stowed in the same hold or compartment as other military explosives. They must not have other cargo stowed in other compartments in the hold directly over them ("overstowage"). Small quantities of pyrotechnic ammunition can be stowed in a metal locker as long as heat, moisture, and overstowage can be avoided.

Class VIII Items. The following precautions must have been taken when Class VIII items are stored on the same vessel with Classes II, IV, V, or VII: (1) A permanent steel deck or bulkhead (wall) must be between blasting caps and the other classes. (2) A separation distance of at least 10 feet in any direction should be maintained. The separation must be 25 feet or more if the deck or bulkhead is not steel.

When Class VIII ammunition is being stowed on the same vessel with Classes IX, X, or XI and a permanent steel deck or bulkhead is between the different classes, a separation distance of at least 25 feet must bemaintained. If the deck or bulkhead is not steel, the separation must be 40 feet or more.

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MM3686, Lesson 2

On-Deck Stowage

On-deck stowage (stowage out in the open) is authorized for certain classes of military explosives (Figure 2-4). MILVANs on deck must be properly secured to prevent movement (Figure 2-5). When military explosives are stowed this way, they must also be at least 20 feet from any incinerator, ash hoist, or coal - or oil-fired galley or bake shop. If the galley or bake shop is fitted to run electrically, the separation distance must be at least 10 feet. All military explosives stowed on deck must be compatible.

Damaged and Defective Ammunition

Ammunition found to be defective while being unloaded from MILVANs or railcars is not placed on board the vessel. However, some items may become defective after being loaded. They should be removed to an isolated location as quickly as possible.

Sometimes defective packages will be discovered at the bottom of a hold with other items overstowed. They may not be corrected there. Repair must not be considered elsewhere on the ship without the approval of the captain of the port. Replacing shipping bands, loose covers, nose plugs, or strapping is not considered repairing.

Figure 2-5. MILVANs Stored on Deck.

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REVIEW EXERCISES

Circle the letter of the correct answer to each question.

1. You are inspecting a vessel being loaded with nitrocellulose that is wet with 20 percent water. How do you classify this item?

a. Explosive propellant.b. Explosive oxidizer.c. Flammable liquid.d. Flammable solid.

2. You are inspecting a vessel being loaded with pyrotechnics. What is one of the special considerations when stowing this ammunition?

a. Keep the material in the center of the ship.b. Keep the material in plastic-lined containers.c. Keep the material away from moisture.d. Keep the material on deck.

You are inspecting a vessel being loaded with ammunition and explosives. To ensure compatibility is maintained, use Figures 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3 to answer Questions 3 through 5.

3. Can blasting caps be stowed with Class II-F?

a. No.b. Yes.

4. What is the DOT marking for separate loading projectiles filled with Explosive D?

a. High-explosive.b. Explosive projectile.c. Solid explosive.d. Explosive rivets.

5. What two items from Class XI-C and -D can be stowed together aboard a vessel?

a. Liquid oxygen and nitroglycerine liquid.b. Aniline and nitric sulfuric acid.c. Hydrogen peroxide and powdered metals.d. Pentane and monoethylaniline.

Recheck your answers to the Review Exercises. When you are satisfied that you have answered every question to the best of your ability, check your answers against the Exercise Solutions. If you missed one or more questions, you should retake the entire lesson, paying particular attention to the areas in which your answers were incorrect.

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EXERCISE SOLUTIONS

LESSON 1

1. b (see page 13)

2. c (see page 8)

3. b (see page 17)

4. c (see page 16)

5. d (see page 9)

LESSON 2

1. d (see page 27)

2. c (see page 27)

3. a (see page 20)

4. b (see page 26)

5. d (see page 22)

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1987-726-082/4102333


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