Poor practice: hatch tape used to build up cross joints. This is discouraged


Radio contact is essential between all three teams to prevent lengthy delays.


Any personnel entering the holds should have clean safety shoes or clean safety sea boots. It is essential that any debris on the main deck is not walked into the clean holds. Some ships issue overshoes to personnel entering the hold.


If the inspector finds a fault with a hold, if at all possible, the fault should be identified and recorded, and remedial action agreed with the inspector. If possible the fault should be rectified immediately and preferably before the inspector leaves the ship. If this is not possible a time should be agreed for his re-inspection.


Ballast hold


‘building up’ of hatch rubbers using sealing tape is discouraged.


Grain inspection


Prior to the grain inspection all hatches and access lids must be open and safely secured with all locking pins/ bars.


All hatches should be checked for loose scale or flaking paint. Invariably there will be a little scale on the tank top, which can quickly be removed. If weather conditions permit during the day, the holds should be opened to allow fresh air to assist the hold drying process. All small pools of water should be mopped dry. All hatch rubbers and centre line seals should be wiped over with a clean dry rag to confirm their cleanliness.


Prior to the inspection, ships staff should lower into the first hold an aluminium ladder together with a small number of clean brooms, scrapers, dustpan and brush, a clean bucket and a few clean white rags. If possible the second hold to be inspected should also be equipped with similar items.


The first team to enter the open hold should comprise the grain inspector, a deck officer and a seaman. Under no circumstances should grain inspectors be allowed to inspect the hatches unescorted by a deck officer. A second team consisting of a deck officer and some crewmembers should be standing by at the top of the hatch being inspected. The second team should have available additional clean brooms, clean mops, scrapers, buckets, clean heaving lines and clean white rags.


The engineers should be on standby to test the bilges (dry sucking only).


10


The ballast hold is usually de-ballasted and prepared alongside during the loading period. If the hold and bilges were cleaned at the discharging berth, the ballast hold preparation will be quickly completed.


Loading grain


Hatches not being loaded should be kept closed. All hatches after passing the grain inspection and prior to loading, must be inspected on a daily basis to ensure that they are still completely dry. Hatches containing grain cargo must not be entered due to a possible lack of oxygen. During the load, it is important to keep the grain cargo dry. If the grain is allowed to become wet, high cargo claims will result.


Regular visual checks by ships staff throughout the load should ensure that the grain being loaded is not in a wet condition. These inspections should be recorded in the deck log book.


During the loading of grain, dust clouds often develop. These are a health hazard and additional safety requirements, such as the wearing of eye protection


Hold ready to load wheat


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