CHARACTERISTICS. Size Angle of repose Stowage factor m3/t see above N/A 0.28 – 0.30 IMO Classification Appendix C. Neither liable to liquefy nor to possess chemical hazard. Hold cleanliness Sweep clean. Clean out bilge wells and cover with burlap. Weather precautions May be loaded in rain. Loading Make sure stow is level and brows are in a straight line athwartships. Precautions Check vessel stability and stresses. Refer to notes below. Carriage No special precautions. Check lashings, if any, regularly. Discharge Usually by magnet. Clean up Sweep clean. Pig iron is usually loaded from tubs. These are lowered by a crane into the hold and the contents spilled out. The first few tubs should be lowered onto the tank top to avoid damage. Bulldoze under overhangs and into the wings. Separation of grades is an important consideration and adequate, suitable material should be on hand for this. METHODS OF GRADE SEPARATION (WITHIN ONE HOLD) ARE: Stow different grades at opposite ends of hold. Separate grades using steel products or bolsters or pig tubs (preferably full). Use chicken wire (double run) and plastic over the overstowed grade if overstow is unavoidable. Never stow an “F” grade and an “SP” grade in the same hatch in bulk. Grade separation should be, preferably, by a vertical face athwartships, rather than a horizontal separation. Mark each grade carefully and ensure that trucks servicing each hold are accurately marked. The grades are marked with white cloth labels, the grade numbers printed in black. If more than one grade is loaded in a hold cover each grade as it is completed to avoid mixing from spillage. When the cargo is loaded, bulldozers are used to level the stow from wing to wing and also substantially fore and aft. To avoid undue stiffness, pig iron, if possible, should be stowed in the ‘tween decks’ in tubs or bolsters. The amount depending on the ships stability requirements, bolsters or tubs available and ‘tween deck loading limitations. Any bolsters or tubs stowed on steel decks require dunnage under them and suitable lashings. CARRIAGE No special precautions are necessary during carriage apart from checking any lashings regularly. Discharge Discharge of pig iron is by magnet, or by hand in some overseas ports. Adjacent grades should be covered when working a magnet to avoid stray pigs mixing. Care is required when approaching separations as the magnets will tear through chicken wire easily. When discharging into trucks, check for residues of other pig that might remain in the trucks. Ensure trucks are clearly marked with the grade they are carrying and the hold they are working.