Bulk carrier Cargo hold Hatch Sealing Test (Ultrasonic test)

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Bulk carrier Cargo hold Hatch Sealing Test (Ultrasonic test)

Ultrasonic hatch cover testing is crucial for several reasons, primarily to prevent cargo damage from water ingress and ensure ship safety. It’s a fast, effective, and environmentally friendly method for determining if hatch covers are weathertight, a vital factor for cargo preservation.

Here’s why ultrasonic testing is important:

Prevents cargo damage:
Water leaks through hatch covers are a major cause of cargo damage, leading to costly claims and reputational damage.

Ensures cargo worthiness:
Ultrasonic testing helps determine if a ship is “cargo worthy,” meaning it can safely transport cargo without significant damage.

Cost-effective:
Compared to traditional methods like hose tests, ultrasonic testing is often faster and more efficient, requiring minimal equipment and personnel.

Accurate and reliable:
The results of ultrasonic testing are precise and can be easily interpreted, making it a valuable tool for shipowners and insurers.

Non-destructive and non-invasive:
The test can be conducted without emptying the cargo hold and without causing damage to the hatch covers or surrounding areas.

Dynamic testing:
Ultrasonic testing simulates the conditions of the ship at sea, allowing for a more accurate assessment of the hatch cover’s sealing performance.

Early problem detection:
Regular ultrasonic testing helps identify potential leaks early, allowing for timely repairs and preventing major damage.

In essence, ultrasonic hatch cover testing is a proactive measure to ensure cargo safety and prevent costly repairs and claims, ultimately benefiting shipowners, insurers, and cargo holders.

Comparison of Hose and Ultrasonic Testing

Whilst hose tests give an idea of the physical contact between a packing rubber and its compression bar/mating surface, ultrasonic tests give an idea of areas where the compression of the sealing system is compromised. As mentioned above, contact and compression are two different things and consequently the test results of hose tests and ultrasonic tests cannot be compared in practice.
Ultrasonic testing allows hatch covers to be tested in a static condition in port but allows the operator to form an opinion as to whether or not the hatch-cover sealing system will perform well when the ship is at sea in a dynamic condition. This is a major advantage when compared to the hose test and can be a very important tool when exercising due diligence to determine if a ship is cargo worthy and if hatch covers are weathertight.

Benefits of Using Ultrasonic Testing

The use of ultrasonic testing equipment has other benefits, including the following.

Ultrasonic testing is a reliable and non-destructive testing method, which gives an indication of the compression status of the sealing system.
Ultrasonic testing allows easy detection with pin-point accuracy of damaged areas or areas where lack of compression exists. This significantly reduces the time needed to identify potential leaks.
Once the correct location of the leak is known, the correct repair method can be determined and, as small and local damages can easily be identified, unnecessary extensive repairs can be avoided. Repeated testing can be used to check the effectiveness of the repairs.
Ultrasonic testing is a ‘dry’ testing method without the risk of damaging water sensitive cargo or causing pollution of the dock, river or sea water.
Ultrasonic testing is a quick and easy means of testing, and no assistance from the ship’s crew is required other than for supervision and safety.
There is the possibility to produce a download of test results, which provides ship operators with a detailed test report.
Ultrasonic testing equipment can be used in loaded or empty holds, which in certain cases allows repairs to covers during loading and checking of repairs during or after the loading period, but prior to going to sea.

Ultrasonic equipment can safely be used under all weather conditions (even with sub-zero temperatures).

About Us

Albatross Marine Services (AMS), established in 2020, is a young and dynamic maritime organization founded by a team of highly qualified maritime professionals — including Master Mariners, Chief Engineers, Maritime Lawyers, and Certified Marine Surveyors.

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