HOLDS INSPECTION & HOSE TEST [COMPLETE GUIDELINES]
HOLDS INSPECTION [SPECIALLY IN SOUTH AMERICA] IS VERY TRICKY.
SHIPPER’S SURVEYORS PLAY GAMES TO REJECT HOLDS AND ASK FOR MONEY TO APPROVE.
SPECIAL ATTENTION TO SANTOS AND UP RIVER PORTS IN ARGENTINA!
BY ACTING AS PROTECTIVE SURVEYORS, WE HAVE WITNESSED ALL KINDS OF TRICKS.
AT SOME PORTS, SHIPPER’S SURVEYORS ALSO CARRY OUT HOSE TEST [SANTOS WHEN LOAD SUGAR].
THE SHIPPER’S SURVEYORS RUSH THE VESSEL’S CREW TO START AS FAST AS POSSIBLE THE HOSE TEST, IN ORDER TO DO IT WITHOUT ALL CLEATS INSTALLED AND REJECT THE HOLDS IF THEY FIND ANY MINOR LEAK.
BELOW WE HAVE SOME ADVICE ON HOW TO AVOID ACT DURING SHIPPER’S SURVEYORS PRESENCE ON BOARD FOR HOLDS INSPECTION & HOSE TEST:
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INSTRUCTION TO THE MASTER BEFORE HOLDS INSPECTION
PLEASE NOTE THAT, DURING SHIPPER’S HOLDS INSPECTION, HOLDS MUST BE:
-ODOUR FREE [NO PAINT SMELL ALLOWED] -> KINDLY KEEP NATURAL VENTILATION OPEN;
-MAKE SURE PAINTING IS PROPERLY CURED -> KINDLY PERFORM A WHITE GLOVE TEST TO MAKE SURE
THAT NO PAINT DUST IS BEING TRANSFERRED;
-REMOVE INSECTS [DEAD OR ALIVE INSECTS ARE NOT ALLOWED];
-BILGE WELLS CLEAN AND DRY;
-NO DUST BEING TRANSFERRED WHEN RAG TESTED;
-MAKE SURE THE CONCEALED SPACES ARE FREE OF CARGO VESTIGES [BEHIND PIPES, BETWEEN FRAMES, UNDERNEATH HATCH COVER PANELS;
-KEEP IMPROVING TANK TOP PLATINGS BY CONTINUOUS SWEEPING;
->>>VERY IMPORTANT<<< IF THE HOLDS WERE PAINTED, PLEASE MAKE A WHITE GLOVE TEST/RAG TEST ON THE PAINTED AREAS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOT TRANSFERRING PAINT DUST!
HOW TO DO THE HOLDS INSPECTION
-WHEN FINISH HOLDS CLEANING, WE RECOMMEND TO HIDE ALL LADDERS IN ENGINE ROOM AND DON’T PROVIDE TO THE SURVEYORS.
-THE SHIPPER’S SURVEYORS ALWAYS ASK FOR LADDERS, STICKS AND RAGS TO THE CREW, IN ORDER TO TEST THE HOLDS’ UPPER AREAS.
-SEE EXAMPLE PHOTO BELOW, THAT CREW PROVIDED LADDER AND STICK – DON’T DO THAT. DON’T PROVIDE ANYTHING – SURVEYORS MUST BRING THEIR OWN TOOLS!
-IF SHIPPER’S SURVEYORS ASK, SAY THAT VESSEL DON’T HAVE IT – SEE BELOW!!
WHY THE VESSEL MUST PROVIDE TOOLS FOR THE SHIPPER’S SURVEYORS?
DON’T DO THAT…
SURVEYORS MUST BRING THEIR OWN TOOLS!!!
-IF THE SHIPPERS SURVEYORS INSIST ON CLIMBING THE HOLDS’ STRUCTURES TO TEST UPPER AREAS -> REQUEST USAGE OF SAFETY BELT FOR WORKING AT HEIGHTS [2M MORE NEED BELT AS PER OSHA AND BRAZILIAN LAW NR 35]:
-DESIGNATE AT LEAST 3 CREW MEMBERS TO GO INTO HOLDS TOGETHER WITH US AND SHIPPER’S SURVEYORS, READY TO QUICKLY RECTIFY ANY DIRT FOUND, LIKE A PIT STOP OF A FORMULA 1.
PREPARATION FOR HOSE TEST
STEP 1) VESSEL’S CREW MUST PERFORM A PRELIMINARY INSPECTION -> OPEN HATCH COVERS AND PERFORM A DETAILED VISUAL INSPECTION ON THE:
– PACKING RUBBERS: PHYSICAL DAMAGE? ANY GAP? TORN/DAMAGED SECTION? -> WHEN SUBSTITUTING SECTION OF PACKING RUBBER, INSERT MINIMUM OF 1 METER LENGTH OF THE NEW PIECE // SMALL INSERTION IS NOT ALLOWED!
– PACKING RUBBERS: EXCESSIVE IMPRINT? IMPRINT MUST BE LESS THAN 50% OF DESIGN COMPRESSION.
– CLEATS -> RUBBER WASHER IN SATISFACTORY CONDITION? NOT WORN OUT?
– COMPRESSION BAR -> ANY INDENT? WAVY SECTION?
– RESTING PADS IN SATISFACTORY CONDITION/NOT WORN OUT?
* SET THE CLEATS VERY TIGHTEN IN SEA CONDITION.
HOW TO DO THE HOSE TEST
>>>VERY IMPORTANT<<<
– DO NOT START HOSE TEST BEFORE APPLY AND TIGHTEN THE CLEATS IN ALL HATCH COVERS -> VESSEL MUST BE IN SEA CONDITION!
– SOMETIMES THE SHIPPER’S SURVEYORS ASK TO START THE HOSE TEST QUICKLY IN ORDER TO DISEMBARK FAST. DON’T DO THAT. ASK THEM TO WAIT UNTIL THE VESSEL IS IN SEA CONDITION.
– SET THE PRESSURE AT 0.2MPA [OR 2BAR] WHICH IS THE PRESSURE THAT P&I AND IACS RECOMMEND -> IF SURVEYORS ASK TO INCREASE PRESSURE, DON’T DO IT!! SEE BELOW!!
– CHECK THE NOZZLE DIAMETER [NEED TO BE 12MM].
– THE TEST IS DONE AT A DISTANCE OF 1.5 METERS -> IF SURVEYORS ASK TO COME CLOSE, DON’T DO IT!! SEE BELOW!!
SEATECH HAS ATTENDED TO THOUSANDS OF HOLDS INSPECTIONS AND HOSE TESTS ALL OVER BRAZIL, SOUTH AMERICAN PORTS, USA PORTS, EUROPE AND AFRICA.
WE ARE GAFTA APPROVED SUPERINTENDENTS AND THESE SERVICES ARE DULY LISTED IN OUR SCOPE OF ISO9001:2015, CERTIFIED BY BUREAU VERITAS.
COUNT ON US AS YOUR PROTECTIVE SURVEYOR.
PLEASE REQUEST A QUOTATION VIA EMAIL OR WHATSAPP:
ENGR. RAFAEL AZEVEDO – MOBILE: +55 27 99644.0750 [24 HRS]
ENGR. DANIEL AZEVEDO – MOBILE: +55 27 99805.2664 [24 HRS]
WEBSITE: WWW.SEATECH.ENG.BR
E-MAIL: MANAGER@SEATECH.ENG.BR
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SOME NICE PHOTOS OF SURVEYS PERFORMED LAST WEEK
MOTIVATION
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WISH YOU ALL A SUCCESSFUL WEEK AHEAD,
CHEERS,
SEATECH MARINE & CARGO SURVEYS
SEATECH / LLOYD’S SUB-AGENTS
MARINE & CARGO SURVEYS
ENGR. RAFAEL AZEVEDO – MOBILE: +55 27 99644.0750 [24 HRS]
ENGR. DANIEL AZEVEDO – MOBILE: +55 27 99805.2664 [24 HRS]
WEBSITE: WWW.SEATECH.ENG.BR
E-MAIL: MANAGER@SEATECH.ENG.BR
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