Cargo control room
Encyclopedia
The cargo control room, CCR, or cargo office of a tankship is where the person in charge (PIC) can monitor and control the loading and unloading of the ship's liquid cargo. Prevalent on automated vessels, the CCR may be in its own room, or located on the ship's bridge. Among other things, the equipment in the CCR may allow the person in charge to control cargo and stripping pumps, control and monitor valve positions, and monitor cargo tank liquid levels.
tankers in the mid-1960s. Prior to this time, valves were operated manually on deck by reach rods and liquid levels were monitored by a roving watch consisting of the mate and seamen
on watch. The use of computers in the cargo control room began in the 1980s. As technology developed, computerized systems began to centralize tasks such as cargo control per se, tank level monitoring, and real-time computation of hull stress information in the cargo control room.
Main cargo pumps and stripping pumps are used to discharge cargo from the ship. From the cargo control room, the person in charge of the discharge can typically turn pumps on and off, set pump speeds, and monitor pipeline pressures on the suction- and discharge-sides of pumps.
By actuating cargo valves, the person in charge can control where cargo is pumped from, where it is pumped to, and in systems that use throttle valves, can control the relative flow rates of cargo through the valves. Modern cargo control rooms allow the person in charge to remotely control some or all of the valves in the cargo system and monitor the state of all valves. Valve indicators are typically laid out on a "mimic panel" which displays the cargo system piping, valves and pumps in a schematic diagram.
Tank level monitoring is another key functionality often provided in modern cargo control rooms. One aspect of tank level monitoring is overfill alarms, which sound throughout the ship when cargo levels exceed the ship's design specifications. Many systems allow the person in charge to monitor tank levels at all tank levels. Tank level monitoring allows the person in charge to take early action to avoid oil spill
s, especially when loading the ship. Tank level information is often sent to computers that calculate hull stresses such as shear forces and bending moment
s.
Various other functions are available in some cargo control rooms. Many offer the person in charge additional monitoring and control systems, the ability to monitor inert gas systems, and tank pressures. Modern cargo control rooms typically allow the person in charge to control ballast pumps and valves, and monitor oil content of ballast water
by the use of oily water separator
s. In cases where ships carry specialty products, specialized monitoring systems are available in the cargo control room.
History
Cargo control rooms began to appear on U.S.-flagFlag State
The flag state of a commercial vessel is the state under whose laws the vessel is registered or licensed.The flag state has the authority and responsibility to enforce regulations over vessels registered under its flag, including those relating to inspection, certification, and issuance of safety...
tankers in the mid-1960s. Prior to this time, valves were operated manually on deck by reach rods and liquid levels were monitored by a roving watch consisting of the mate and seamen
Able seaman
An able seaman is an unlicensed member of the deck department of a merchant ship. An AB may work as a watchstander, a day worker, or a combination of these roles.-Watchstander:...
on watch. The use of computers in the cargo control room began in the 1980s. As technology developed, computerized systems began to centralize tasks such as cargo control per se, tank level monitoring, and real-time computation of hull stress information in the cargo control room.
Characteristics
The design and layout of an individual cargo control room is determined by the ship's design, owner's requirements and the capabilities of the shipyard in which the ship is built. Modern cargo control rooms offer some or all of these components: main cargo pump and stripping pump control, valve control, tank level monitoring, and auxiliary functions.Main cargo pumps and stripping pumps are used to discharge cargo from the ship. From the cargo control room, the person in charge of the discharge can typically turn pumps on and off, set pump speeds, and monitor pipeline pressures on the suction- and discharge-sides of pumps.
By actuating cargo valves, the person in charge can control where cargo is pumped from, where it is pumped to, and in systems that use throttle valves, can control the relative flow rates of cargo through the valves. Modern cargo control rooms allow the person in charge to remotely control some or all of the valves in the cargo system and monitor the state of all valves. Valve indicators are typically laid out on a "mimic panel" which displays the cargo system piping, valves and pumps in a schematic diagram.
Tank level monitoring is another key functionality often provided in modern cargo control rooms. One aspect of tank level monitoring is overfill alarms, which sound throughout the ship when cargo levels exceed the ship's design specifications. Many systems allow the person in charge to monitor tank levels at all tank levels. Tank level monitoring allows the person in charge to take early action to avoid oil spill
Oil spill
An oil spill is the release of a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon into the environment, especially marine areas, due to human activity, and is a form of pollution. The term is mostly used to describe marine oil spills, where oil is released into the ocean or coastal waters...
s, especially when loading the ship. Tank level information is often sent to computers that calculate hull stresses such as shear forces and bending moment
Bending Moment
A bending moment exists in a structural element when a moment is applied to the element so that the element bends. Moments and torques are measured as a force multiplied by a distance so they have as unit newton-metres , or pound-foot or foot-pound...
s.
Various other functions are available in some cargo control rooms. Many offer the person in charge additional monitoring and control systems, the ability to monitor inert gas systems, and tank pressures. Modern cargo control rooms typically allow the person in charge to control ballast pumps and valves, and monitor oil content of ballast water
Ballast tank
A ballast tank is a compartment within a boat, ship or other floating structure that holds water.-History:The basic concept behind the ballast tank can be seen in many forms of aquatic life, such as the blowfish or argonaut octopus, and the concept has been invented and reinvented many times by...
by the use of oily water separator
Oily water separator
An oily water separator is a piece of shipboard equipment that allows a vessel's crew to separate oil from bilge water before the bilge water is discharged overboard.Bilge water is an almost unavoidable product in ship operations...
s. In cases where ships carry specialty products, specialized monitoring systems are available in the cargo control room.