Boatnerd Discussion Forum

Open-hatch voyages are allowed by the Great Lakes Load Line Regulations. Here are the restrictions as quoted from the Load Line Technical Manual
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1. Applicability: Great Lakes bulk carriers carrying coal. or bulk cargo of similar density, may operate with open hatches.
2. Voyage limits: Toledo, Ohio and Detroit, Michigan
3. Markings: Great Lakes markings
4. Stability: No additional requirements
5. Strength: No additional requirements
6. Freeboard: Vessel's depth to the weather deck must be at least 31 feet, and must maintain at least 8 feet of freeboard
Great Lakes Load Line Certificate with the following notation: "At the discretion of the Master, this vessel may operate without hatch covers between the limits of Toledo, Ohio to Detroit, Michigan including Monroe, Michigan from 1 April to 31 October."
7. LL certificate:
8. Operating restrictions:
(i) Fair weather only;
(ii) Between April 1 and October 31, inclusive;
(iii) Cargo and tank vessels above 300 feet in length may be loaded to their intermediate marks between October 1 and April 30 inclusive; and
(iv) Vessels above 400 feet in length may load to their summer marks between September 16 and April 30, inclusive.

Then why would the Conneaut boats going to Nanticoke and the McNamara be able to do so? More modern safety equipment and radar, as well more modern weather forecast? Interesting...

I thought after the John Boland sank that they no longer allowed the hatches to be open for cargo transport?

It was the near-loss of the Saskadoc on Lake Erie in September 1934 on a short trip from Erie to Hamilton that brought the end to open hatches in the coal trade back in the day. I don't know if this was mandated by the Canadian Department of Transport or not, but my guess is the American Bureau of Shipping and the British Corporation weighed in heavily on the matter. The John J. Boland, Jr. sinking was considered a function of the canaller's low freeboard, but when the 436-foot Saskadoc suffered nearly the same fate it appears the classification societies took action.

I thought after the John Boland sank that they no longer allowed the hatches to be open for cargo transport?

It used to amaze me in the 70s watching the coal boats leave Conneaut while we were unloading at the ore dock. Saw the Tarantau, Canadian Century, Canadian Progress, etc., leave with coal piled 2-3 feet above the top of the coamings with almost every hatch off heading for Nanticoke. Also saw the Robert S. McNamara in the lower Detroit River with the coal piled high.
Probably have some photos I took of the boats leaving Conneaut.

I know when Ford Motor Co. bought the Charles L. Hutchison and the W.H. McGean and the end of 61'. Ford renamed the McGean the Robert S. McNamara. She was certified by the coast guard to haul coal from Toldeo with open hatches due to the trade route and close proximity of Dearborn and Toldeo.

Rob W

In the past there were quite a few pictures of ships operating over short routes carrying coal cargoes that extended above their decks with several hatches left open. I realize that this was done as the cubic capacity of the cargo hold filled before the vessel reached its allowable draft, but I have not seen any such examples after the 1970s. Was this practice something that was later frowned upon due to liability issues or simply made redundant by ships with high cubic capacities?