BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates generally to methods and systems for securing shipping containers on a cargo ship. This disclosure relates more particularly to methods and systems for lashing shipping containers that can either supplement or replace the lashing systems usually used on cargo ships.

Cargo ships can accidentally lose large numbers of shipping containers at sea while sailing through heavy seas. As ships become bigger and shipping containers are stacked higher, the customary lashing system design which has been used for many years cannot provide an acceptable level of restraint. The movement of the upper containers that is caused by the ship's pitch and roll under the influence of waves increases. This movement can destabilize the shipping containers because of the higher acceleration levels of the upper containers.

SUMMARY

The disclosure describes a method of stabilizing shipping containers stored on a cargo ship.

The method may comprise the step of providing a lashing apparatus that includes a support capable of interfacing with an interlocking system of one or more shipping containers, and a lashing. The lashing apparatus may further include a foundation, a first releasable connector mounted on the foundation, and a second releasable connector included at the end of the lashing and adapted to be releasably coupled to the first releasable connector. For example, the second releasable connector includes an eye and shackle assembly or a turnbuckle. The lashing apparatus may further comprise an accelerometer coupled to the support or a load pin coupled to the foundation and capable of measuring tension in the lashing. The accelerometer or the load pin may be wirelessly connected to a computer. The computer may be programmed to drive a winch. In some embodiments, the lashing apparatus may include a ratcheting track and a pawl configured to slide on the ratcheting track. Also, the end of the lashing may include a turnbuckle. In some embodiments, the lashing apparatus may include means for wrapping the lashing that are mounted on the support. For example, the means for wrapping the lashing comprise a winch, a bollard attached to a pin, a fairlead attached to a pin, or a combination thereof. The means for wrapping the lashing may alternatively or additionally comprise an equivalent of a winch, a bollard attached to a pin, a fairlead attached to a pin, or a combination thereof. The support may include a plurality of sockets, each sized to receive a pin attached to a bollard or a pin attached to a fairlead. In some embodiments, the lashing apparatus may include a ratcheting track and a pawl configured to slide on the ratcheting track, as well as means for wrapping the lashing that are mounted on the support.

The method may comprise the step of securing the support to one or more shipping containers.

The method may comprise the step of securing the foundation to at least one of a lashing bridge, a lashing tie-rod, or a deck of the cargo ship. In some embodiments, securing the foundation to at least one of the lashing bridge, the lashing tie-rod, or the deck of the cargo ship may comprise securing the ratcheting track to at least one of the lashing bridge or the deck of the cargo ship. Optionally, securing the foundation to the at least one of a lashing bridge, a lashing tie-rod, or a deck of the cargo ship may comprise releasably attaching the ratcheting track to container connectors provided on a hatch cover of the cargo ship.

In some embodiments, the method may comprise the step of providing one or more lashing apparatus, each including at least a support capable of interfacing with an interlocking system of one or more shipping containers, and a lashing.

The method may comprise the step of lifting a lashing cage to transport an operator to the support of at least one apparatus, and connecting the lashing cage to the support. The lashing cage may comprise a lower level having a handrail. The lower level may be at least partially floorless. The lashing cage may also comprise an upper level having a handrail. The upper level may have a floor. The lower level may be accessible by the operator from the upper level.

The method may comprise the step of coupling the lashing to the support.

The method may comprise the step of connecting an end of the lashing to another shipping container or to a structure of the cargo ship. Connecting the end of the lashing to the other shipping container or to the structure of the cargo ship may comprise coupling the first releasable connector to the second releasable connector.

The method may comprise the step of placing one or more shipping containers on top of the support.

The method may comprise the step of applying tension to the lashing such as to reduce movement of the support. In some embodiments, applying tension to the lashing may comprise adjusting a position of the pawl along the ratcheting track. For example, adjusting the position of the pawl may be performed with a winch coupled to the foundation. Applying tension to the lashing may further comprise adjusting a length of the turnbuckle. In some embodiments, applying tension to the lashing may involve adjusting a position of at least one of the means for wrapping the lashing. For example, adjusting the position of the at least one of the means for wrapping the lashing may comprise removing the pin attached to a bollard or the pin attached to a fairlead from one of the plurality of sockets and receiving the pin attached a bollard or the pin attached to a fairlead into another one of the sockets. Applying tension to the lashing may also involve wrapping or unwrapping the lashing to the means of wrapping the lashing.

The method may comprise the step of storing the lashing cage on top of the support of one apparatus during a trip of the cargo ship to a harbor.

The method may comprise the step of using the computer to automatically adjust a tension of a lashing attached to the winch based on data received from the accelerometer or the load pin.

The method may comprise the step of using the lashing cage in the harbor to transport an operator.

The disclosure describes a lashing apparatus for use on cargo ships transporting shipping containers.

The lashing apparatus may comprise a support that is capable of interfacing with an interlocking system of one or more shipping containers. In some embodiments, the support may include a plurality of sockets. Each socket may be sized to receive a pin attached to a bollard or a pin attached to a fairlead.

The lashing apparatus may comprise a lashing that is couplable to the support. The lashing may have an end connectable to another shipping container or to a structure of the cargo ship.

The lashing apparatus may comprise a foundation that is adapted to be secured to at least one of a lashing bridge, a lashing tie-rod, or a deck of the cargo ship.

The lashing apparatus may comprise a tensioner capable of applying tension to the lashing such as to reduce movement of the support. In some embodiments, the tensioner may comprise a ratcheting track that is adapted to be secured to at least one of a lashing bridge or a deck of the cargo ship. The tensioner may also comprise a pawl configured to slide on the ratcheting track. The position of the pawl along the ratcheting track may be adjustable. The tensioner may further comprise a turnbuckle that has an adjustable length. The turnbuckle may be included at the end of the lashing. The tensioner may further comprise a winch coupled to the foundation. The winch may be configured to adjust the position of the pawl. In some embodiments, the tensioner may comprise means for wrapping the lashing. The means for wrapping the lashing may be mounted on the support. For example, the means for wrapping the lashing may comprise one or more of a winch, a bollard attached to a pin, and a fairlead attached to a pin. The means for wrapping the lashing may alternatively or additionally comprise an equivalent of one or more of a winch, a bollard attached to a pin, and a fairlead attached to a pin. A position of at least one of the means for wrapping the lashing may be adjustable.

The lashing apparatus may comprise a first releasable connector that is mounted on the foundation.

The lashing apparatus may comprise a second releasable connector that is included at the end of the lashing. The second releasable connector may be adapted to be releasably coupled to the first releasable connector. For example, the second releasable connector may comprise an eye and shackle assembly or a turnbuckle.

The lashing apparatus may comprise an accelerometer coupled to the support or a load pin coupled to the foundation and capable of measuring tension in the lashing. The accelerometer or the load pin may be wirelessly connected to a computer. The computer may be programmed to drive a winch to automatically adjust the tension of the lashing attached to the winch based on data received from the accelerometer or the load pin.

The disclosure describes a lashing cage.

The lashing cage may comprise an upper level. The upper level may have a handrail. The upper level may have a floor.

The lashing cage may comprise a lower level. The lower level may have a handrail. The lower level may be at least partially floorless. The lower level may be accessible by the operator from the upper level; and

The lashing cage may comprise any known means for connecting the lashing cage to a crane.

The lashing cage may comprise a winch capable of deploying a lashing.

