Bahtatboy

At least one of you out there is a shipping expert, but I can't remember who it is...

I need to know the shipping / marine insurance definition of a barge.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Brains1983

A flat bottomed inland cargo vessel with or without propulsion usually used on rivers and canals (occasionally used for short sea journeys where rough water is not an issue).

Bahtatboy

Thanks Brains. The vessel in question is powered, has a flat bottom (as well as a flat deck), is square at the corners (not sure that's relevant), but will sail from Far East Asia to Africa (very definitely ocean going). AFAIK, barges can be ocean-going, and those can be both towed and powered: is that right?

Do you know where I can get any industry-supported definition, and will each vessel be somehow described (in its registration documents) as to whether its a barge or not? Or is it essentially the flat-bottomedness which is the defining feature?

Brains1983

To be honest, the only time we get asked these questions is when the clients corporate insurance get involved, we would direct them to our own insurers anyway.

Bahtatboy

Thanks, I appreciate the prompt and informative reply.

DXBtoDOH

I was going to post a joke about your mama, but realised there's too much nastiness these days and it's not making me a better person.

scrubbedexpat141

Use of the shoulder to get old men out the way at the bar?

Irishbeekeeper

Your mamas so fat that she would make a barge not be a barge anymore?
i.e. make it loose its flatness?
sorry
I'll let myself out now!

Inselaffen

ask for a copy of the Classification (Lloyds/BV/ABS etc) certificate. The notation there will show whether or not it is a barge.
Basically if it is flat bottomed it will be a barge

Bahtatboy

Thanks. Have got some info from the vessel's owner, which they describe as a Heavy Cargo Carrier (RO-RO) Self Propelled Barge. Not sure that's quite definitive, but I'll try to get the Classification Certificate. I have the IMO Number, but the vessel isn't registered with Lloyd's; on other databases (eg vesselfinder.com) it's described merely as a General Cargo Ship, but I don't think they differentiate between those and self-propelled barges. We're also trying to get a statement from our insurers.

Inselaffen

Class Certificate is definitely the way to go. That will have all the info you need. Also you would really want that it is a decent Class which means one of the IACS group of classification societies.

the owner will have no problem providing you with that certificate. You should also be getting a copy of their P&I certificate. need to make sure they are properly covered in case you need to claim if they damage whatever you load on the barge.

Bahtatboy

Thanks. There are various factors, which I can't disclose, such that I don't want it to be a barge, but, absent the Class Certificate, I'm pretty much in "if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks, then it's almost certainly a duck" territory.

Millhouse

why is the definition so important? if the asset is identified, registered, insured and has the permissions to go where it is going what's not to love?

scrubbedexpat141

If it isn't a barge then it might not come with a free Rosie and Jim?

Bahtatboy

Not all of those conditions are fulfilled...or may be conditional on what the bloody thing actually is.