[Caution] Leaking Hatch Covers are Hazardous

Incident:

The vessel was loaded up with wire coils. When loading was complete the crew taped across the transverse beams of all the cargo holds with Ram-Nek. During the vessel’s transit it sailed through heavy weather that lasted for about two days. During this time the vessel was pitching and rolling and the cargo hatches were covered in water.

While discharging in port it was found that the steel coils in the top tiers were corroded. The steel coils below the centreline and folding seams were the most affected.

A surveyor in attendance observed that the cargo hatch covers were not in good condition. The greatest amount of rusted coils were in holds 1 and 3.

Reason:

• The water integrity of the cargo hatch covers were tested with an ultrasonic device which detected significant defects to the sealing arrangements.
• The gaskets were in poor condition and the hatch covers tested positive for chloride which indicates that salt water has leaked.
• The non-return valves for the drain channel were also in a poor condition as they were clogged and the ball inside was not moving.
• The transverse packing on the hatch covers was leaking, there were some cracked corners and leaking side joints. The surveyor also found a number of leaking ventilation covers.

What caused the damage?

The cargo hatches were in a poor condition, which caused seawater to enter the cargo holds. The gaskets were also in poor condition and the cleats could not be tightened beyond hand tightening.

Recommendations:

• It’s strongly recommended to do an ultrasonic test instead of a hose test for testing the cargo hatch covers.
• The cargo hatch covers and other essential equipment should be inspected at continuous intervals. It is especially important that non-return valves for the coamings are inspected.
• These jobs should be included in the PMS (Planned maintenance system).
• The PMS should also be inspected during internal audits and it should be logged if specific jobs have not been completed.

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Source: The Swedish P&I Club

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