Hi marine cargo surveyor. :). It was about three months with no posting, as I have faced busy days.
Previously, we have discussed topics about Draft survey : Terms of Conduct, Draft Survey : Procedures and Calculation, Draft Survey : Specimen of Calculation, How To Conduct Bunker Survey, and Bunker Survey Calculation. Appreciated every feedbacks and comments around the posts.
In this posts, I will generally introduce about cargo hold cleanliness survey. The hold cleanliness survey is conducted to ensure the cargo hold condition before loading by inspected whether the hold is ready to load the nominated cargo or not.
During surveying, the surveyor should be ensure the following conditions:
- Inspections must be carried out during daylight hours only,
- The Cargo Hatchcover is fully opened,
- Use of manlifts (where available) to enable proper access to all areas of holds.
- Appropriate high powered hand held lighting and extendable mirrors should be used to assist in inspections.
- Free from ANY previous cargo residues
- Free from loose rust, scale or paint. Painted surfaces must be properly applied and cured
- Dry and clean
- Free from odours
- In all ways in a suitable condition, fit and safe to receive and preserve the intended cargo
- Particular emphasis on previous cargo residue on overhead beams, hatch-end beams, hatch joints and hinges, frame brackets, pipe brackets, ladder ways, manhole covers etc
- It is recommended that where practical, chalk should be used to mark the sides and ends of holds after a section has been inspected to ensure that no part of the superstructure is missed with the movement of the man-lift up and down or sideways for cleaning purposes.
- Hatch covers should be opened and closed at least 3 times each prior to cleaning, to shake down any remnants of past cargoes. This action is extremely important if any of the past 3 cargoes have been Agricultural products, specifically grain.
Although not part of a vessel cleanliness inspection it is requested that the following is also checked and reported on:
- All bilge covers, access covers, tank-top covers should be inspected and properly secured
- Bilge wells should be clean and dry with pumps in good working order
- Tank-tops should be free from protrusions, container fittings, pad eyes and the like
- Hatch covers must be demonstrably watertight with all seals and sealing faces in position and properly maintained
This document is designed as a GUIDE ONLY and covers minimum requirements which should be used by load-port surveyors in conjunction with the surveyor’s own experience, expertise and common sense in order to avoid cargo contamination and loss.
If necessary, this authority includes:
(a) Ability to delay loading of the vessel so inspection is performed in daylight hours
(b) Calling for extra ship’s lighting to assist with inspection
(c) Insisting on provision of mechanical man-lifter to facilitate inspection where available
(d) Interrupt loading after sufficient cargo loaded to enable “walk over” inspection when cargo will subsequently fill hold
As ……………….. surveyor, it is very important that no indication verbally or in writing is given to the suppliers, owners, agents, masters or their appointed surveyors that you are taking over their responsibility for presenting the vessel ready for loading.
As ……………….. surveyor, any certificate or statement should indicate that you are only certifying that the holds were inspected and found to have been presented clean, dry and apparently grain free in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Charter Party, as stated by the Master
Surveyors
Sources : www.ukpandi.com – UK P&I – New Standards of Hold Cleanliness
PS: For additional references you could download the following material :
The Standard Club: Bulk Cargoes – Hold Preparation and Cleaning
Regards,
Surveyors