Cargo Handling and Stowage
Hold cleaning and inspection
1.1 GENERAL INSPECTION OF CARGO HOLD
Prior to loading and after discharging, hold spaces must be inspected and the cargo/ballast systems should be tested. The inspection is primarily directed towards checking the ship’s integrity.
The possible causes for the lack of integrity which can cause damage are the following:
Damage to shell and deck plating;
Damage to hatch coaming and hatch covers;
Improperly closed or blanks ventilators;
Leaking pipes and manhole covers; and
Improperly closed return valves in the bilge line, etc.
During the inspection, particular attention must be given and dents and other forms of damage to the ship’s structure, which should be carefully examined for leakage and signs of deterioration such as cracking and deformity. Bent, twisted, or out of shape stiffeners that do not function should be cut and replaced as soon as possible. Tanks and air pipes must be pressure tested and leaking manhole covers must be checked on a regular basis. If ‘tween decks are fitted, the ‘tween deck scupper pipes must be tested. Drip trays and trucking of ventilators must be place in any accumulation of dirt must be removed. Piping and electric cables running through hold spaces must be examined and any damage must be examined from a safety point of view and repaired as early as possible.
To the casual observer, glancing down into a ship’s cargo hold may not appear that there are many things that could go wrong with the space below. Yet, before an officer can make an entry in the ships logbook relating to the condition of the cargo spaces, he must checked a long list of items.
The following items must be inspected and tested prior to arrival at loading port and after discharging. Some of these tests may be performed on a regular routine basis, and may not be repeated before each port.
1. Hold bilges or wells
The bilge space, including the bilge strainer, must be clean. It is good practice to leave
1.1 GENERAL INSPECTION OF CARGO HOLD
Prior to loading and after discharging, hold spaces must be inspected and the cargo/ballast systems should be tested. The inspection is primarily directed towards checking the ship’s integrity.
The possible causes for the lack of integrity which can cause damage are the following:
Damage to shell and deck plating;
Damage to hatch coaming and hatch covers;
Improperly closed or blanks ventilators;
Leaking pipes and manhole covers; and
Improperly closed return valves in the bilge line, etc.
During the inspection, particular attention must be given and dents and other forms of damage to the ship’s structure, which should be carefully examined for leakage and signs of deterioration such as cracking and deformity. Bent, twisted, or out of shape stiffeners that do not function should be cut and replaced as soon as possible. Tanks and air pipes must be pressure tested and leaking manhole covers must be checked on a regular basis. If ‘tween decks are fitted, the ‘tween deck scupper pipes must be tested. Drip trays and trucking of ventilators must be place in any accumulation of dirt must be removed. Piping and electric cables running through hold spaces must be examined and any damage must be examined from a safety point of view and repaired as early as possible.
To the casual observer, glancing down into a ship’s cargo hold may not appear that there are many things that could go wrong with the space below. Yet, before an officer can make an entry in the ships logbook relating to the condition of the cargo spaces, he must checked a long list of items.
The following items must be inspected and tested prior to arrival at loading port and after discharging. Some of these tests may be performed on a regular routine basis, and may not be repeated before each port.
1. Hold bilges or wells
The bilge space, including the bilge strainer, must be clean. It is good practice to leave