CLAIMS GUIDELINES FOR THE SURVEYORS

GENERAL

The surveyor in charge should conduct his task with confidence without
prejudice and in this respect he should be well prepared before leaving the
office for the initial survey.

Upon boarding the vessel, the surveyor should introduce himself to the ships
Master advising him for the purpose of his visit.
MACHINERY DAMAGE SURVEY

In case of machinery damage, the surveyor should request from the Master to
see the Chief Engineer and/or Owners Superintendent/Consultant, in order
for the survey to be jointly conducted with person(s) in charge.
SURVEY PROCEDURE
A successful survey is based on comprehensive information / evidence which
must be obtained (as much as possible) during the initial survey or shortly after
on subsequent visits, including:

Detailed description of circumstances of casualty.

Detailed inspection of the physical damage (supported by photographs).

Perusal of documents with emphasis of those related to the casualty under
consideration.
Typical Machinery damages that are subject to Owners claim consist of the
following:






Main engine(s)
Auxiliary engines
Boilers
Steering gear
Electrical

The origin of the machinery failure may be attributed to the following:






Material failure (defect to material and/or manufacturing process).

Wear and tear (due to improper/lack of maintenance).
Inadequate lubrication (insufficient/improper lubrication).
Crew negligence in not properly performing a specific task.

133, Filonos Str.

18536 Piraeus, Greece
Tel.: (+30) 210 4282956 - 8
Fax: (+30) 210 4282959
marine@margetis.eu www.margetis.eu

2
N.B: Slow speed (crosshead type) engines sustain damages most commonly in
way of upper part, such as cylinder liners/pistons cylinder covers etc due to
general lack of proper maintenance and/or due to failure of individual
components such as turbochargers, fuel injection equipment.
Medium/high speed engines (trunk piston) encountered damages of larger
variety with emphasis in way of lower part such as bearing, crankshaft and
bed plate due to rapid deterioration of lube oil quality.
In all cases, a detailed description of the damage is necessary, not only for
establishing the full extent of damage, but also for assisting to establish the origin
of the damage, in conjunction with perusal of relevant documentation.

DOCUMENTATION
Documents from ships files are to be perused, keeping notes of entries which
may be of interest and obtaining copies as found necessary.
As a guidance the following documents/information should be obtained:
For all cases:

Masters name.

Chief Engineers name.

Vessels particulars.

Deck and engine logbooks covering the time period from the last port of
call till arrival at next port of call after the date of incident.

Whether vessel is loaded, type/quantity of cargo on board, ships draft.

Voyage itinerary, passage plan.

ISM procedure/damage report.

Masters verbal/written statement in relation with the casualty.

Masters sea protest in relation with the casualty.

Chief engineers verbal/written statement in relation with the casualty.

Interview of engineer in charge at the time of casualty (if applicable) for
clarification of the casualty circumstances (if necessary).
For main and auxiliary engines damage:

Details of machinery particulars.

Operating hours of all components since last overhaul/inspection.

Maintenance records of engines components.

Calibrations/clearances/crankshaft deflections.

Chief Engineers monthly performance reports covering the last six (6)
months prior casualty.

Lub. oil chemical analysis (laboratory) covering the last six (6) months
prior to the casualty.

3

Extract copies from the Manufacturers manual referring to the failed
component(s).

Extract copies from the Manufacturers manual referring to clearances /
inspection intervals / allowable wear down.

Builders trial sheet data.

Lub. oil system schematic arrangement (if damage related with
lubrication), type and description of lub. oil filters, condition of filter
elements upon dismantling/cleaning.

Engineers Maintenance Plan.
For boiler damage:

Boiler manual / principles of operation.

Last inspection / cleaning of boiler.

Boiler logbook showing tests of water quality and burner cleaning /
changing.

Copies of sheets showing water conditioning / chemical types / dosages.

Describe scale / sludge formation, pitting or erosion.

Check if automatic feed water system is operable, including safety
systems.

Check if local water gauges are clean and water level visible.

Check if the remote gauging system for monitoring the water level is
operable.

If the burning system lit / operate automatically, check if system is
operable.
Steering Gear:

The steering gear may be of the single or double hydraulic cylinder or
hydraulic rotary (vane) type.

Damage to steering gear is normally straightforward sustained mainly from
external origin (damage to rudder by contact or entanglement) and/or
when the relief valve of the hydraulic system becomes stuck resulting to
excess increase of hydraulic pressure.

Obtain copy of steering gear arrangement.

Check relief valve functioning.
Electrical:
In case of electrical damage on alternators/main switchboard, the following
should be checked:

Last cleaning / overhaul of the system.

Last megger test.

Present condition (if contaminated with oil, soot or water).
Certification (copies to be obtained)

Statutory Certificates.

Minimum Safe Manning.

Officers / crew competence certificates.

4
Classification

Class Certificate.

Survey Status Listing.

Class Survey report (if available) showing last inspection of the failed
machinery component(s).

Continuous Machinery Survey (CMS) listing showing dates of surveyed
items / parts.

Note outstanding / memoranda items (if any).

DOC Certificate.

SMC / ISSC Certificates.
CAUSE OF DAMAGE
The cause of damage may be put forward (preferably in writing) by Owners
during the initial survey, or may be under investigation. In case the surveyor has
(at his initial survey) reached to a conclusion with respect to the cause of damage
(based on evidence in hand) it is inappropriate to disclose his views prior
Owners put forward their allegation of cause of damage (unless a wear and tear
case is obvious and without doubt).

EXTENT OF DAMAGE

As soon as possible and upon establishing the full extent of damage
(legitimate or not), a discussion shall be made with Owners Representative in
order to establish what is the exercise of their claim against Underwriters.

Subsequently Owners should prepare a repair specification for the
consideration and agreement of the surveyor prior inviting Contractors for
obtaining tenders.

Quotes should be agreed by the surveyor prior Owners put the repairs in
hand.

MONITORING THE REPAIRS

Surveyor to keep detailed log for his visits (on board and at workshop) with notes
on events till completion of the repairs. Any extra works arising and costs thereof
should be carefully monitored, so a surveyor be in full control of all aspects upon
completion of the repairs.