What is an International Shore Connection on Ships?
Firefighting on merchant ships is a difficult and critical task. The ship has a special set of fire pumps to deal with fires. What if it is not enough? What if the basic and emergency fire pumps fail? International shore communication deals with this very specific issue. It is a very important aspect of fire safety on board ships, so every sailor should know it in detail.
What is its purpose?
The International Shore Connection/Coupler is a globally standardized connection flange installed on ships, mainly used for firefighting. It allows ships to get water from shore or another ship in emergencies.
Why is International Communication to the Shore needed?
This link’s global and standardized nature makes it available and usable by other support parties. This is the basic idea behind this link.
International shore connections can be used in the following situations:
- Failure of the ship’s fire pumps and emergency pumps.
- The fire became more serious, and the crew needed additional support.
- To deal with port fire emergencies, use the port hydrant system.
When a ship encounters a fire emergency at sea, another ship can use the international shore communication system to support firefighting.
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International connection to the beach and location
The international connection to the beach is usually easily accessible and convenient. The ship’s fire control plan notes the exact location of the international shore connection on board. Generally, it is protected in a red box with a national and international dialing symbol and placed near the pedestrian crossing or on both sides of the accommodation area.
International communication section with the coast
International shore power connection falls within the ship’s fire safety regulations. The FSS rules stipulate the requirements for international beach connections regarding size, materials used, and accessories. Specifically, Chapter II of the FSS Act deals with international shore connections.
Material and accessories
- Parts of an international shore connection
- International shore connections shall be of steel or other equivalent material.
- Its design pressure shall be 1 N/mm.2
- The flange shall have flat surfaces on one side and the other and shall be permanently connected to fittings suitable for fire nozzles and hoses in the vessel.
- The connection must be secured to the ship using washers made of a material suitable for 1N/mm2 service, four bolts, four nuts with a diameter of 16 mm, and 8 washers.
SOLAS requirements for international coastal communications
The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea sets specific requirements for the carriage of ships. The SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) Convention requires international coastal communications, specifically all ships of more than 500 gross tonnage, to be equipped with at least one international coastal communication according to Chapter II-2 Regulation 10.2.1.7.1.
Regulation 10.2.1.7.2 states that “facilities shall be provided on both sides of the ship to enable the use of such connections”.
Requirements for international communications with the coast
According to the IMO Notice – MSC 1432: Revised Guidelines for the Maintenance and Inspection of Fire Fighting Systems and Appliances, the international shore connection should be inspected quarterly. The main goal is to verify that the international shore connection is always usable.
The inspection may include the following:
- Verify the presence of international shore connections at the locations specified in the ship’s fire plan.
- Check the presence and condition of spanners.
- The condition of rubber washers should be checked and replaced if damaged.
- All eight nuts, bolts, and washers must be present and in good condition
- Check the status of tags.
Frequently Asked Questions about International Shore Connections to the Beach
How many international shore connections are there on board?
Under SOLAS requirements, all ships of 500 tonnes and above must carry at least 1 IBC. Larger ships may have multiple connections installed to improve emergency response.
Where is the international landline connection located?
International shore connections are stored in boxes near the gangway or on either side of the accommodation area to facilitate access to water supplies onshore or between ships.
What materials are international grounding connections constructed of?
International grounding connections are made of corrosion-resistant materials such as copper, bronze, or BMC fiberglass polyester.
Can ISC communications be made between two ships?
Yes, it can connect two ships, and a water source can be used for firefighting.
What are the standard dimensions of an international ground connection?
An ISC flange is typically 178mm in diameter, 64mm in bore diameter, and 132mm in bolt circle diameter. It uses four screws, each 16mm in diameter and 50mm long.
