Grain Loading Course

Product Overview

This course is an abbreviated version of a self-study course in ship’s stability, originally designed to ensure that National Cargo Bureau (NCB) surveyors understood and were able to properly apply the stability concepts necessary for safe loading and carriage of bulk grain.

The course consists of four modules and addresses the requirements relating to both statical stability, dealing with initial stability as measured by GM, and dynamical stability, which is concerned with the righting energy of the vessel over a range of angles of heel.

This separate self-study course dives directly to grain loading and is catered to all who may have a particular need or interest in understanding the process and complexities involved in planning for and satisfactorily accomplishing the loading of a cargo of bulk grain, particularly as it relates to compliance with the requirements of the International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk (International Grain Code). This may include vessels’ operators, charterers, stevedores, agents and anyone else that may have an influence on, or concern for the outcome of, the loading of vessels with bulk grain. A background in the basics of ship stability is useful to successfully and effectively complete this course, but is not required.

A copy of NCB’s publication, “General Information for Grain Loading” is provided with the course, along with an excerpt copy of a Grain Stability Booklet for a Panamax bulk carrier.

The course is approved by the U.S. Coast Guard and upon successful completion (70% or better), in addition to the certificate of training, the U.S. mariner participant may be eligible for 4 days sea-service credit towards a license or raise in grade.

• COURSE CONTENT

  • Module 1 – The International Grain Code (Concepts and Assumptions upon which it is based)
  • Module 2 – Stability Criteria and Methods of Compliance
  • Module 3 – International Grain Code Requirements and U.S. Alternatives
  • Module 4 – Grain Stability Calculations

• COURSE FORMAT

  This is a correspondence course, wherein the student is guided by a proctor primarily via email exchanges. Also known as a self-study distance learning format, the student can conveniently go at his own pace through the course. A three month completion window is recommended, but not required. One year is considered by most as an upper limit target.

  In order to pass the course, students must achieve a minimum of 50% for each module and a rounded overall average of at least 70%. Certificates will be awarded to successful students.

  As each lesson build upon the previous, tests are submitted one at a time as modules are completed.  Students can then be assured that any concerns are addressed before they impact future module tests. NCB offers support to students through the course proctor at no additional charge.