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,