SUEZ CANAL TRANSIT CHECKS ETO MUST KNOW

We all know that the Suez Canal is the shortest artificial sea route that connects Asia & Europe. If you are transiting Suez Canal there are many checks ETO must do before transit. Its good to know requirements before transiting to avoid unnecessary penalty & delay.

SUEZ CANAL SEARCH LIGHTS REGULATIONS

Suez canal search lights must comply following specification,

1. It must be placed in the bow in axis of ship and must show canal clearly.
2. Lamp specification goes as follows,

• The minimum range of a single beam 1800m ahead
• The power of the lamp must be 2000W for vessels up to 30000GT(gross tonnage) and 3000W for vessels over 30000GT.
• Any kind of lamp can be used but must comply with specifications and must be a Non-Explosive type.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

3. The drum & stand of the lamp should have high corrosion resistance and can be operated horizontally & vertically.

4. The front glass must be hardened type and can stand for rapid cooling.

5. The lamp Reflector must have 2 halves and can be brought together at zero position to produce a single reflector beam & can be parted to give two separate beam of 5 degree each. The Reflector must have atleast 95% reflective capacity.

6. The searchlight drum must be watertight (pressure tested at 0.25Kg/cm). The electric system (socket, plug, cables & switches) must have ingress protection degree of IP55.

7. For vessels carrying petroleum, LNG, LPG & inflammable substances installation & connection leading to searchlight must be gas tight & release of hot air must be done to open space free from flammable gases.

8. Searchlight can be hired locally but inspection of cable/plug/socket is done by Suez Canal Authority(SCA).

9. For a vessel fitted with its own searchlight, two shore electricians must operate it during canal transit. SCA inspector will inspect the searchlight if the vessel is transiting first time.

10. If Electrical connection/searchlights not in conformity, the vessel is allowed to transit only in day-time. An additional due of 5000US dollars will be imposed when searchlight/electrical connections are not in conformity at second transit & each following transit.

SUEZ CANAL CHECKS PRIOR TRANSIT (FOR ETO)

• Check Suez searchlight plug complies with regulation i.e., IP55
• Check the electrical switch/socket located in forward of the ship. Sometimes due to water ingress socket may be wet or corroded, remove dirt & corrosion by applying WD40/CRC & ease up switch (If the switch is hard to operate).
• Once the searchlight is fitted ensure the searchlight is working fine.
• If Suez searchlight is provided onboard also order for the spare lamp.
• Apart from these checks Accommodation Ladder, Whistle/Horn, LSA, etc has to be checked which are done by other personnel on board.

IMPA CODE for Suez Canal Searchlight: 370501 to 370513 (Incandescent & Halogen lamp type, as per IMPA guide 6th edition).

IMPA CODE for Suez Canal lamp: 370521 to 370526 (Incandescent) & 370531 to 370533 (Halagon), as per IMPA guide 6th edition.

NOTE: Once Search Light is turned OFF give some time for cooling before turning it ON again in order to avoid blowing out of the lamp.

REFERENCES

• Suez Canal rules https://www.suezcanal.gov.eg/
• Maritec https://www.maritec.de

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