Cargo holds readinesss, maintenance requirement, dealing

stevedore damages & safety aspects

It is of the utmost importance that all the vessel's cargo holds are
maintained to the highest possible standard, in order that the vessel
is always to be in a condition which enables her to carry any
commodity in bulk.

Although it is the Chief Officer's duty to ensure that work is carried

out in the cargo holds whenever possible to maintain and improve
their condition, it is the Master's overall responsibility to inspect the
cargo holds on a regular basis.
The report must be unbiased, and no attempt is to be made to
falsely declare holds to be in good condition as this information will
frequently be used to fix the vessel on future charters, and may be
checked from time to time during visits to the vessel by Company
representatives.

In the event that there is access to empty holds for maintenance

purposes, and you consider that upgrading work can be carried out,
please always inform the Company of your intended actions. Under
no circumstances is any upgrading work to be carried out in a hold
which contains cargo of any type. Many claims have been made
against Owners for cargo damage due to contamination by rust,
paint and grease, even though there appeared to be no damage at
the time.

In addition, any paint applied prior to loading a cargo must be

applied in ample time to allow sufficient drying and hardening
periods before the commencement of loading.

Stevedore damage

Stevedore damage must be documented and in accordance with the

relevant clauses in the charter party. This is to be carried out within
the stated time limits, but preferably as soon as damage is caused /
discovered. All parties concerned must be notified immediately, i.e.
charterers, stevedores, agents, Managers etc. As much information
as is available is to be included in this type of report to assist in any
claims which may have to be made against a third party.

In this connection, it is the Master's responsibility to impress upon

the Officer on cargo watch, the importance of being diligent with
respect to damages caused by stevedores and/or cargo, and to
report such damages immediately to the Chief Officer, who is to
initiate the appropriate damage reports. It is the Master's
responsibility to notify the parties concerned, and to obtain an
acknowledgement of receipt of damage report from these parties.

Safety aspects

During routine inspections of cargo holds by the Master and Chief

Officer, special attention is to be given to safety aspects such as,
conditions of hold ladders, hand rails and platforms. Many injuries
have been caused through defects in items such as these, and
inevitably delays to the vessel will result from the refusal of dock
workers and port officials to enter these spaces due to such defects.
Attention must also be given to observation positions around the
hatch coamings and hold accesses which are always to be kept in
good condition, and free from obstructions.

Due regard must be given at all times to personal safety when

carrying out cleaning, maintenance and inspection work within the
holds.

The possibility of toxic gases, or lack of oxygen, can occur onboard

dry cargo vessels within the cargo holds, especially where the space
has been closed for an extended period without ventilation. The
following are some of the reasons for a lack of oxygen / dangerous
atmosphere:-

1. The generation of rust scale in ballast tanks will remove oxygen

from the atmosphere.

2. The space can be filled with poisonous cargo fumes from the likes
of:-
 Coal cargo, which gives off methane and carbon monoxide
which, will rapidly consume oxygen;

Other bulk cargoes such as iron ore, grain and tapioca will also
consume oxygen;

Organic cargoes such as fishmeal, which is damp or wet, may

ferment and give off hydrogen sulphide.

3. The hold may contain fumigants

For this reason, any entry into cargo holds must be subjected to a
risk assessment and enclosed space entry procedures to be
followed.

Access points to cargo holds must be marked as Enclosed Spaces

and the Enclosed Space Entry Kit used to indicate which spaces
have been tested and identified as safe for access.

Enclosed spaces to which access may be required by stevedores

during cargo operations must be agreed during the ship / shore
safety meeting .

During routine inspections of cargo holds by the Master and Chief

Officer, special attention is to be given to safety aspects such as
conditions of hold ladders, hand rails and platforms. Many injuries
have been caused through defects in items such as these and
inevitably delays to the vessel will result from the refusal of dock
workers and port officials to enter these spaces due to such defects.

Attention must also be given to observation positions around the

hatch coamings and hold accesses which are always to be kept in
good condition and free from obstruction.

Personnel protection

All vessels designated for the carriage of dangerous chemicals in

bulk must have on board suitable protective equipment and clothing
for the protection of crew involved in cargo handling and tank
cleaning operations. The Types and quantities of protective
equipment as well as additional safety equipment must be in strict
compliance with the requirements of IBC/BCH Code.

All ships carrying dangerous cargoes must have on board medical

first-aid equipment, including oxygen resuscitation equipment and
antidotes for cargo carried in compliance with the recommendations
listed in IMO MFAG (Medical First Aid Guide) and WHO IMGS
(International Medical Guide for Ships).

Inspection for fractures / cracks / corrosion

Particular attention is drawn to the sea staff serving on bulk

carriers, and especially on older vessels, for the need to check
carefully for signs of any fractures, cracks or corrosion in the plating
or frames of the cargo holds. Reference is to be made to the
publication Index for a guide issued by Lloyds Register of where to
look, and what to check for. Masters must be aware of the contents
of these guidelines, and bring them to the notice of the ships staff.

Masters duties

The master will be given voyage orders as part of the charterparty

agreement. He will be advised to present his ship at a port within a
laycan that may require the ships holds to be cleaned to a certain
standard. That standard in the voyage instructions or charterparty
should be clear and unambiguous. Those instructions should also be
within the capabilities of the ship and resources onboard. If the
instructions cannot be carried out because of, for example, voyage
limitations in time or weather, then the master should inform the
owners and charterers so that alternative arrangements can be
made. The master has an obligation to deliver the cargo in the same
apparent condition as loaded.

The master should not succumb to taking risks to comply with the
charterparty instructions if the safety of the ship or personnel is put
at risk.

Where there is a requirement to load to a stringent or high standard

of cleanliness, masters of ships with generally poor to moderate
condition of holds should be particularly alert to report the nature of
the hold condition to owners. To upgrade a hold from poor condition
to one clean enough to receive a grain cargo requires considerable
time and resources. The task should not be underestimated.
Otherwise, holds can be failed, cargo contamination claims can arise
and charterparty terms can be violated.

The master should:

clarify instructions if necessary

make sure that he is aware of the extent of the required hold

cleaning

ensure that correct equipment and materials are available

onboard

advise charterers of the hold cleaning schedule and progress

keep records of hold cleaning progress (weather and work

logs)

consider sending photographs of the cleaned holds to the

charterers and owners on completion or where difficulties
arise, as this can be helpful