Maritime Zones Explained: The Boundaries of Our Seas

The concept of maritime zones is a cornerstone of international maritime law, defined primarily by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). These zones determine the extent of a coastal state’s rights, responsibilities, and jurisdiction over the waters and resources adjacent to its shores. Background • Maritime zones were established to resolve disputes over navigation, resource ownership, and national security. • Boundaries are measured from a country’s baseline (usually the low-water mark along the coast). • The key zones include: • Internal Waters – full sovereignty like land territory. • Territorial Sea – up to 12 nautical miles. • Contiguous Zone – up to 24 nautical miles. • Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) – up to 200 nautical miles. • Continental Shelf – may extend beyond 200 nautical miles depending on natural features. Purpose • Internal Waters – treated like land territory, full state control. • Territorial Sea (12 nm) – authority over navigation, resources, and law enforcement. • Contiguous Zone (24 nm) – enforcement against smuggling, illegal entry, and security threats. • Exclusive Economic Zone (200 nm) – exclusive rights to explore and exploit resources (fish, oil, gas). • Continental Shelf – rights over seabed resources even beyond EEZ. Importance • Safeguards national security and territorial sovereignty. • Ensures sustainable use of marine resources (fisheries, oil, gas). • Provides control over shipping routes and trade lifelines. • Strengthens sovereignty in disputed waters (vital for nations like the Philippines). • Globally, reduces conflict, promotes order and cooperation, and protects the marine environment.

Fouling

Fouling in the Engine Room Fouling inside heat exchangers, piping and machinery is a persistent threat to vessel reliability, fuel efficiency and safety. Left unchecked, deposits and films build up on internal surfaces, reducing heat transfer, increasing pump and compressor loads, and accelerating corrosion. Below we explain the six common types of engine-room fouling, their root causes, operational impacts, and practical prevention measures every chief engineer and technical manager should know. Types of fouling 1. Scaling Mineral salts precipitate from hard water (e.g., calcium or magnesium salts) and form hard, insulating layers on heat-transfer surfaces. Scaling reduces thermal efficiency and flow, increasing fuel consumption and risking overheating of machinery. 2. Particulate fouling Suspended solids sand, rust particles, paint flakes or sediment settle and accumulate in piping and exchangers. These deposits obstruct flow paths and erode components, leading to frequent filter replacements, higher head loss and reduced system performance.

EMERGENCY GENERATOR

Ship Emergency Generator: Essential Safety Power at Sea On board a ship, electricity powers almost every operation from navigation and communication systems to lighting, pumps, and emergency alarms. When the main power supply fails, the safety of the vessel, its crew, and cargo relies on a reliable backup source. This is where the ship’s emergency generator becomes indispensable. Mandated by the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), the emergency generator is a critical piece of equipment designed to supply electrical power to essential systems during emergencies. Background and Purpose The emergency generator serves as the ship’s lifeline during power loss or blackout. It automatically starts and transfers load to an emergency switchboard to ensure that key systems remain operational. Its purpose is not to run the entire ship but to sustain safety and emergency functions until the main power supply can be restored or the ship is brought to safety. The generator powers essential equipment such as emergency lighting in accommodation spaces, machinery areas, lifeboat embarkation points, and escape routes. It also supplies energy to fire detection and alarm systems, communication equipment, navigation instruments like radar and GPS, and in some cases, the steering gear. Pumps for fire-fighting and bilge operations, as well as emergency batteries and chargers, also depend on this backup system. Location and Construction To maximize reliability, the emergency generator is installed in a separate compartment from the main engine room—typically on an upper deck with its own ventilation, fire protection, and access. This arrangement prevents the generator from being compromised by incidents in the engine room. Most are diesel-driven alternators chosen for their rapid start-up capability and rugged design. They have independent fuel tanks, cooling systems, and starting mechanisms to ensure operation even if the main systems fail.

Arrangements oF Combination Ladder for High Freeboard Vessels

A combination ladder arrangement for high freeboard vessels refers to the required setup that combines an accommodation ladder with a pilot ladder to ensure the safe transfer of marine pilots between a pilot boat and the ship. This arrangement is used when the vessel’s freeboard is too high for a pilot ladder alone to reach safely. In this setup, the accommodation ladder provides the main inclined walkway, while the pilot ladder is rigged at the lower end of the platform so the pilot can board and disembark at a safe height above the sea. International regulations prescribe several key requirements: • The pilot ladder must extend at least 2 meters above the lower platform. • The ladder must be secured to the ship’s side at a point 1.5 meters above the accommodation ladder platform. • The pilot ladder must offer a climbing height of 1.5 to 9 meters. • The lower platform must remain horizontal and positioned at least 5 meters above the water. • The accommodation ladder must maintain a maximum slope of 45 degrees.