Hatch Cover Maintanence and steps to be taken to avoid claim by water ingress.

The obligation to exercise due diligence in respect of hatch covers, requires the ship-owner to carry out the necessary checks, maintenance, and any necessary remedial works so that the ship is seaworthy and cargo worthy at the start of the voyage. In addition there is an additional responsibility under the hague-Vvisby rule Article II rule 2 Subject to the provisions of article IV, the carrier shall properly and carefully load, handle, stow, carry, keep, care for and discharge the goods carried. The discharge of duties in keeping with the above two responsibilities of the vessel, greatly lie on hatch cover maintenance. The steps taken to ensure that there are no cargo claims on vessel through water ingress: Hatch covers to inspected and tested. be properly maintained,

Reports of regular structural inspection of the holds, hatch covers & coamings. Reports of defects and repairs carried out.

Hatch covers and their fittings should be inspected at the end of every cargo voyage and all findings recorded. Records of regular tests and checks. due must be carried out

Any repairs immediately.

The weather tightness of the sealing arrangements on each hatch cover shall be tested

at least once every twelve months by hose test / chalk test. Hatch Covers must be visually checked for proper alignment and that no lashing materials are stuck between the compression bar and the sealing lip. Check if hatch panel sides form good steel to steel contact, with coaming tops without gaps All hatch cleats must be secured and locked in place. All booby hatches to be closed and dogged down.

Ventilators to be shut if applicable.

Proper and accurate record must be kept in order to support and verify that the necessary steps and precautions are being followed. Records to be included but not limited to are Deck log OP 001, Port Log, Engine Log, Standing Orders, SF 501, Tank Soundings OP 20, Weather reports etc. Weather must be observed closely and route to be amended / speed adjusted as necessary to avoid inclement weather and expose the vessel to the risk of water ingress. In the event of water ingress all necessary measures are to be taken to halt it and preserve the remaining cargo as best possible. Ensuring integrity of all pipelines and valves passing through cargo holds. Regular inspection and cleaning of cargo hold bilge wells & suction filters. Regular maintenance of cargo holds, coamings and hatch covers. Ensuring that bilges pumping out arrangements are working satisfactorily. A Master must be aware of the condition of the hatch covers, cargo holds and coatings and any defects,

shortcomings and repairs required in this regard. Keeping this in view, he must encourage defect reporting amongst his subordinates, undertake regular inspections and frequently inspect relevant records. He must also ensure that his officers are familiar with procedures to pump out cargo hold bilges and instructions regarding this must be posted in the ballast control room. Following must be regularly inspected during the voyage. Cargo hold hatch covers and their securing arrangements Hold ventilators Access hatches Air pipes and sounding pipes Deck cargo lashings, if applicable. Cargo temperatures, if applicable.

In the event of a cargo claim due to water ingress into the cargo hold, the following evidence may be required to prove that due diligence was exercised by the vessel: Reports of regular structural inspection of the holds, hatch covers & coamings. Reports of defects and repairs carried out. Records of regular tests and checks.

Photographs illustrating the condition of cargo hold prior loading or during inspections. Reports of relevant stevedore damages corresponding repairs by ship or shore staff, if any. Class survey / HPMS audit reports. and

Records of steel thickness measurements. to weather

Log book entries with respect conditions with photographic evidence.

Print-outs of weather forecasts and weather faxes. Daily bilge sounding records. Record of daily checks of cargo holds.

Log book entries with respect to daily verification of hull watertight integrity.

Records of opening and closing of manholes. Bilge pumping out records.

Records of on board training carried out for pumping out bilges and other relevant operational matters.