Lloyd’s Register and The Standard P&I Club have jointly produced a booklet on hatch cover safety. This publication, ‘A Master’s Guide to Hatch Cover Maintenance’, is primarily designed to assist members of the crew with the safe operation and maintenance of large hatch covers. It is currently being distributed to owners and operators of all Lloyd’s Register classed ships that have large hatch covers, for placing on board.
The guide further demonstrates Lloyd’s Register’s commitment to shipboard safety and hull integrity, and follows hot on the heels of the recently announced IACS bulk
carrier safety measures.
The guide provides extensive information concerning many aspects of hatch cover operation and maintenance and contains sections covering:
· hatch covers and their function
· basic advice
· common false beliefs about hatch covers
· leakage problems
·
leak detection tests
· monitoring and inspection
· maintenance and repair
· heavy weather precautions
· safety when working with hatch covers.
In addition, two appendices show procedures to open and close hatch covers, and include a check sheet to assist crew members when carrying out hatch cover condition assessments.
“This booklet provides shipowners and crew members alike with fundamental technical advice and guidance when working with large hatch covers”, said Alan Gavin, Marine Director, Lloyd’s Register. “I am pleased that Lloyd’s Register and The Standard P&I have been able to combine their extensive knowledge and experience on this important topic to produce the guide.”
Much of the technical input was provided by the Standard Club’s London Agents, Charles Taylor. Director of Loss Prevention, Eric Murdoch explains: “I believe that this publication will make a significant contribution to ship safety. Our analysis shows that leaking hatch covers are a major recurring cause of cargo damage claims. By educating mariners on how to treat and maintain hatch covers we can reduce losses at sea.”