In its latest cargo claims review, the Swedish Club informs of a cargo damage incident on a bulk carrier, caused by leaking hatch covers. The incident highlights the need for a regular inspection of the hatch covers by the crew to ensure that the weathertight integrity is maintained.
The incident
The bulk carrier had been fully loaded with grains. The vessel had side rolling cargo hatch covers. For six days, the vessel encountered heavy weather at Beaufort scale 9 which caused it to pitch and roll heavily. During the voyage 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.
Whilst opening the cargo hatch covers, it was found that cargo in a number of holds 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. 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
The survey indicated that seawater had leaked through the middle cross joint drain channel and through the corner of the hatch coamings.
Lessons learned
As a result of the investigation, the Swedish Club recommended:
- Before loading, completion of loading and after discharge, the crew should inspect the hatch covers to ensure they are in a weathertight condition. It is essential that cargo hatch covers are inspected and tested at regular intervals to ensure that the weathertight integrity is maintained and that the vessel is in a cargo-worthy and seaworthy condition.
- Ensure that gaskets and coamings are in good condition.
It is also important that records are kept about what maintenance and service has been completed in the Planned Maintenance System (PMS), the Club further advised.
