Code of Safe Practice for Ships Carrying Timber Deck Cargoes
{{Admiralty law}}
The Code of Safe Practice for Ships Carrying Timber Deck Cargoes (TDC Code) is the International Maritime Organization (IMO) standard for the safe carriage of timber deck cargoes.{{cite web|url=https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Safety/Pages/Timber-Code.aspx#:~:text=The%202011%20TDC%20Code%20also,for%20safe%20stowage%20and%20securing |title=Code of Safe Practice for Ships Carrying Timber Deck Cargoes, 2011 (2011 TDC Code) |publisher=International Maritime Organization |access-date=28 February 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://puc.overheid.nl/nsi/doc/PUC_2425_14/1/ |title=CODE OF SAFE PRACTICE FOR SHIPS CARRYING TIMBER DECK CARGOES, 2011|publisher=Human and Environment Transport Inspectorate, Netherlands |access-date=28 February 2024}}{{cite book |date=2022 |title=Carefully to Carry |publisher=Witherby Publishing Group |pages=131–158 |isbn=9781914993121}}{{cite book |date=2015 |title=21st Century Seamanship |location=Edinburgh |publisher=Witherby Publishing Group |page=646 |isbn=9781856096324}}{{cite book |date=2021 |title=Regulatory Primer for Mates & Masters: Questions and Answers Covering Current and New Regulations |publisher=Witherby Publishing Group |page=24 |isbn=9781914992193}}
History
Content
The Code applies to all vessels internationally of 24 m or more in length.
The Code provides information for shipowners, ship operators and ship's officers regarding the safe transportation and stowage of timber deck cargoes. This includes logs and sawn timber, either loose or packaged. The Code details procedures for safe and secure stowage and timber securing systems. It also includes guidance for ship securing manuals and checklists for safe operations. Because of the increased weight of timber cargoes on a deck, the Code requires the ship's stability to be calculated according to a set list of criteria and guidance.
The 2011 update to the Code include the addition of loop lashing as an optional shipboard practice compared with top-over lashing for securing timber deck cargoes.{{cite web|url=https://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/commercial/safety/safety-updates/safe-practice-for-ships-carrying-timber-deck-cargoes-loop-lashing/ |title=June 2014: Safe practice for ships carrying timber deck cargoes - loop lashing |publisher=Maritime New Zealand |access-date=28 February 2024}}