Question

You have been appointed as the Chief Engineer of an older vessel which is in dry dock and has recently been purchased by your shipping company.

Describe in a letter to the engineering superintendent, your inspection to ensure that the conditions of assignment are satisfactorily complied with.

S0LUTI0N

YOUR ADDRESS & DATE

ADDRESS OF COMPANY

Preparations for the forthcoming Load Line Survey

Dear Mr Super,

I have studied the particulars relating to the conditions of assignment in the Load Line Record carried aboard the ship and have accordingly carried out the following inspection in preparation for the Load line Survey.

The hull condition has been assessed and is free from any damage/wear/corrosion that would otherwise threaten the hull strength.

All the access openings at the ends of the enclosed superstructure have been checked to ensure good condition. All dogs, clamps and hinges are freely operating and well greased. All gaskets/watertight seals are free from cracks.

All cargo hatches and access hatches have been checked for water tightness and the security cleats and hedges are functioning correctly. (Could possibly also say.....Since this is an older vessel, there are some old hatches with tarpaulin covers. The tarpaulins have been checked and are in good condition, waterproof and free from damage. The tarpaulin material does meet the necessary requirements).

All machinery space openings on the freeboard deck have been checked. Manholes, ventilator openings and airpipe closing arrangements have been checked and found to be effective in closing against the weather/green seas, The internal deadlights and rubber seals of side scuttles below the freeboard deck have been checked and are in satisfactory condition. Freeing ports, scuppers, guard rails and bulwarks are also in satisfactory condition with no significant corrosion or cracks

The deck line, load line marks and draught marks have all been cleaned and painted. The Load Line Certificate is readily available for the surveyors inspection, with all the necessary stability information to show that the vessel can be loaded and ballasted correctly. Members of the crew have been instructed to assist the surveyor in such ways as opening/closing hatches and providing access arrangements, in general.

Due to the preparations made in the maintenance schedule, I am confident that there will be no problems in satisfying all the requirements of the Load Line Survey.

Yours Sincerely,