In its Monthly Safety Scenario for February, the Swedish P&I Club describes a case of cargo damage on a bulk carrier due to water ingress, as a result from improper condition of hatch covers.
The incident
The bulk carrier had 7 cargo holds which had been fully loaded with soybeans. The vessel had side rolling cargo hatch covers. For six days, the vessel encountered heavy weather at Beaufort scale 9 which caused the vessel to pitch and roll heavily. The cargo hatch covers were washed over by seawater.
All hatch covers were opened when the vessel was at anchor and waiting for an available berth. This was to ensure the vessel was gas free since fumigation had been carried out in all cargo holds at the loading port. When the cargo hatch covers were removed, it was found that cargo in holds 1,2,3,4 and 7 had been damaged by water. Most of the water-damaged cargo was below the middle cross joint of the hatch covers and below the aft hatch coaming’s corners. According to the master, there had not been any ventilation to the cargo holds during the voyage.
Findings
A surveyor carried out an inspection and found the following hatch cover parts to be in poor condition:
- Hatch cover panels
- Hatch coamings
- Water drain channels
- Non-return valves
- Quick cleats
- Rubber gaskets
Recommendations As a result from this incident, the Club provides the following preparations for crews to have in mind before sailing:
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