Mg-Hatch Cover Maintenance

A Master’s Guide
to Hatch Cover Maintenance

The Standard

The Standard
The Standard P&I Club’s loss prevention programme focuses on best practice to avert those claims that are generally described as avoidable, and which often result from crew error or equipment failure. In its continuing commitment to safety at sea and the prevention of accidents, casualties and pollution, the Clubissues a variety of publications on safety-related subjects, of which this is one. For more information about these publications please contact either the Managers’ London Agents or any Charles Taylor office listed at the end of this guide.

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© Lloyd’s Register – The Standard 2002 British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A Master’s Guide to Hatch Cover Maintenance ISBN 185609 2321

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A Master’s Guide to Hatch Cover Maintenance

Contents
Introduction 1. Hatch Covers and their Function 2. Basic Advice 3. Common FalseBeliefs about Hatch Covers 4. Leakage Problems 5. Leak Detection Tests 6. Monitoring and Inspection 7. Maintenance and Repair 8. Heavy Weather Precautions 9. Safety when Working with Hatch Covers Appendix 1 Procedures to Open and Close Hatch Covers Appendix 2 Hatch Cover Condition Assessment Forms 02 03 04 06 09 13 14 16 21 22 23

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A Master’s Guide to Hatch Cover Maintenance

Introduction
It is generallyaccepted that leaking hatch covers are a principal cause of cargo wetting. Hatches leak for a variety of reasons, but mainly because of poor maintenance or failure to close them properly. Leaking or badly maintained hatch covers can lead to more serious consequences than wet cargo – flooding, accelerated corrosion or even loss of the ship. These problems are addressed in the guide. During investigationand discussion we have found a degree of confusion throughout the industry as to whether hatches are constructed to be watertight or weathertight. A watertight hatch cover is a cover designed to prevent the passage of water in either direction under a head of water for which the surrounding structure is designed. A weathertight cover, is a cover designed to prevent the passage of water into the...