Category: Marine Surveyor

Marine Surveyor Operational Workflow

Marine Surveyor Operational Workflow: Step-by-Step Vessel Survey Guide

Cargo container ship named Oceanus Leader moving on the ocean with stacked containers

A marine survey requires a systematic operational process to ensure safety, accurate measurements, and legal compliance. Whether conducting a draught survey, on/off-hire condition inspection, bunker survey, or cargo suitability assessment, following a standardized checklist protects both the surveyor and the client.

1. Pre-Boarding Preparation & Documentation

Proper preparation before arriving at the port minimizes downtime and ensures all technical requirements are met.

  • Review the Scope of Work (SOW): Clarify the exact purpose of the survey and identify the appointing party (Shipowner, Charterer, P&I Club, Underwriter, or Cargo Owner).

  • Gather Ship & Cargo Documents: Request the vessel’s particulars, stowage plans, stability booklets, previous inspection reports, and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for hazardous cargo.

  • Inspect Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Verify that all safety gear meets international maritime standards:

    • Hard hat with chin strap

    • Safety boots (steel-toe, oil-resistant)

    • High-visibility clothing

    • Portable multi-gas detector (for confined space entry)

    • Intrinsically safe flashlight, safety glasses, and ear protection

  • Calibrate Field Testing Equipment: Inspect and test manual tools, including sounding tapes, water/oil finding paste, calibrated hydrometers, glass measuring cylinders, ultrasonic hatch cover testers, and digital cameras.

2. Boarding Protocols & Opening Formalities

Establishing official communication with the ship’s command sets a professional tone and ensures safety compliance throughout the inspection.

  • Gangway Safety Check: Before boarding, check that the gangway net is properly rigged, the lashing is secure, and a safety watch officer is present.

  • Master & Chief Officer Meeting: Head directly to the Ship’s Office or Bridge to meet the Captain or Chief Officer.

    • Present credentials and formal appointment notice.

    • Hold an Opening Meeting to align on the inspection schedule, shipboard safety rules, emergency alarm signals, and required work permits (such as Confined Space Entry or Hot Work).

    • Request an escort officer from the crew.

  • Document Verification: Inspect physical certificates on board, including the Ship’s Register, Class Certificates, Load Line Certificate, Deck and Engine Logbooks, and Oil Record Book (ORB).

3. On-Site Physical Inspection & Measurement

Conduct the fieldwork according to the scope of work while maintaining continuous communication with the escort officer.

  • Condition & Structural Assessment: Inspect cargo holds, deck fittings, hatch covers, rubber gaskets, coamings, securing cleats, and deck machinery for structural integrity, wear, or leakage.

  • Measurements & Sampling:

    • Draught Survey: Read draft marks (Port and Starboard at Forward, Midships, and Aft). Measure sea water density using a calibrated draft tube and hydrometer.

    • Bunker & Tank Soundings: Take manual ullages/soundings of fuel oil, diesel oil, and ballast tanks. Check for water bottoms and record liquid temperatures.

    • Cargo Hold Cleanliness: Check bulkhead walls, tank tops, bilge wells, and rose boxes to ensure they are dry, clean, scale-free, and free from cargo odor before loading.

  • Photographic Documentation: Capture clear, time-stamped visual evidence of vessel identification numbers, gauge readings, draft marks, cargo condition, and any identified structural defects.

  • Confined Space Entry Safety: Never enter a ballast tank, cargo hold, or pump room without verifying atmospheric safety (20.9% O2 minimum) and obtaining a signed Confined Space Entry Permit.

4. Closing Formalities & Exit Protocol

Finalizing calculations and cross-checking findings on board prevents post-survey disputes between parties.

  • On-Site Data Reconciliation: Complete preliminary calculations (such as draught displacement, fuel quantities, or damage extent) and cross-check figures with the Chief Officer or Chief Engineer.

  • Closing Meeting: Brief the ship’s command on your findings, notable observations, and any identified deficiencies before leaving the vessel.

  • Statement of Facts (SOF):

    • Draft the preliminary field summary, Statement of Facts, or Sounding/Draught Worksheets.

    • Secure the signature and official stamp of the Master or Chief Officer.

    • If the ship’s crew disagrees with a finding, record an official Surveyor’s Remark / Reservation directly on the document before signing.

5. Data Analysis & Final Survey Report

Transforming field measurements into an executive-ready technical report completes the survey contract.

  • Hydrostatic & Density Calculations: Process raw field data using vessel hydrostatic tables, applying necessary trim/heel corrections and density adjustments (such as the standard M/M/M draught interpolation method).

  • Compile the Survey Report: Structure the final deliverable into clear sections:

    1. Executive Summary & Survey Scope

    2. Vessel Particulars & Key Timeline

    3. Technical Observations, Calculations & Photos

    4. Expert Assessment & Recommendations

  • Report Delivery: Issue signed, stamped digital and physical Survey Certificates to the appointing party within the agreed timeframe.

Coal Spontaneous Combustion

How Coal Self-Ignites?

The coal’s temperature begins to climb above ambient. At about 150-300 degrees F, it begins to give off minute, but measurable, quantities of gas–aerosols, hydrogen, and CO (2)–precursors of combustion. As the temperature increases further–at about 600-700 degrees F–relatively, large, visible particulates are emitted. Soon, as the heating rate increases in intensity to about 750-800 degrees F, incipient combustion, and ultimately self-ignition and flame, will occur.

The risk from fire exists anywhere significant amounts of coal are in use or storage. Coal is a combustible material, making it susceptible to a variety of ignition scenarios. Preventing spontaneous combustion coal fires involves attention to many different factors. Among the most critical are the type, age, and composition of coal, how it is stored, and how it is used. Given the right kind of coal, oxygen, and a certain temperature and moisture content, coal will burn by itself.

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International Institute of Marine Surveying

marine cargo ship surveyorsAs marine surveyor, you might need organisation to develop your knowledge and experience. Today I will post you one of them called International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS). This is an independent, non-political organisation promoting the professionalism, recognition and training of marine surveyors worldwide. The IIMS is held marine surveying training, short courses and distance learning. Right now, the representative office was spread at several countries. Here a brief description about IIMS.

The IIMS is a membership organisation and since 2004 has increased its membership worldwide to cover 98 countries.  It is the largest organisation of its kind in the world, and seeks to represent its industry to government and non governmental organisations such as the International Marine Organisation (IMO), Coastguards, insurance companies and ship owners.
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Cargo: Definition and Terminology

seven surveyor

Air draught – means the vertical distance from the surface of the water to the highest point of the ship’s mast or aerial.

Bale space capacity – is that cubic capacity of a cargo space when the breadth is measured from the inside of the cargo battens (spar ceiling) and the measured depth is from the wood tank top ceiling to the underside of the deck beams. The length is measured from the inside of the fore and aft bulkhead stiffeners.

Broken stowage – is defined as that space between packages which remains unfilled. The percentage that has to be allowed varies with the type of cargo and with the shape of the ship’s hold. It is greatest when large cases are stowed in an end hold or at the turn of a bilge.

Cargo information – means appropriate information relevant to the cargo and its stowage and securing which should specify, in particular, the precautions necessary for the safe carriage of that cargo by sea.

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Draft Survey: The Accuracy and Factors Effecting

Sometimes the accuracy of Draft Survey is a big question, especially when the cargo loaded or discharged from the vessel shown extremely different weight with the references Weight Scale or Counter Weight. Unfortunately, the parties concerns would be doubt on to the weight resulted by Draft Survey, as they have been relying upon the mentioned scales for many years.

Draftmark

Draught Survey UN ECE: Code of Uniform Standards and Procedures

UN ECE was published the Factors Affecting Draft Survey as follows :

1- Incorrect hydrostatic information or draft marks: Investigations carried out in specially performed draft surveys have indicated that there can be significant errors in the determination of displacement due to typographical errors or arithmetical errors in the ship’s hydrostatic tables. This could be improved if the tables furnished to the surveyor bore an approval stamp by the flag government or the classification society. A number of years careless re-painting of draftmarks, especially if they have not been permanently marked on the hull, can cause erroneous readings. If there is any doubt, the draft marks should be re-sited at the next dry-docking.

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