Inspection : UK P&I Club launches Lessons Learnt video on failure to conduct adequate cargo checks

UK P&I Club has launched its latest video in a series of award-winning reflective learning training videos, based on a real-life case of a vessel which incurred significant damage to its maize cargo due to a failure to conduct basic checks upon completion of loading.

The animated video depicts an incident where a bulk carrier is fixed to load a full cargo of yellow maize in bulk; the previous cargo had been bulk fertiliser. On completion of loading, all five holds were fumigated and the holds were then closed, secured and sealed. During the initial stages of the voyage, the vessel encountered heavy weather, with spray and seas shipped on deck and all hatches covered over a period of eight days.

Upon arrival at the discharge port, the hold and manhole seals were inspected and found to be intact. Three holds were approved for discharge, but two were rejected. A bad odour was reported at the forward end of both hatchways and the surfaces of the cargo stows in both of the rejected cargo holds were found to be locally mouldy, discoloured and caked, with temperatures in the affected areas measured at up to 63°C. The quantity of damaged cargo was estimated to be about 10 to 12 metric tonnes in each hold.

Stuart Edmonston, Loss Prevention Director at UK P&I Club, said: “The pre-discharge inspection revealed a substantial amount of wetted maize kernels and residue in the drain channels above and between the cross joint sealing. It was apparent the panel cross joints had not been cleaned in preparation of the hatch covers being closed at the load port.”

“Improving checks and procedures in our industry will prevent wasteful and costly incidents like this occurring and this is our key focus. We hope these interactive training videos can help improve standards and safety at sea, prompting crew and ship operators to question if this could happen on their ship, and how they can mitigate the risk .”

The series of videos provide an interactive training experience with a focus on educating crew members on common marine accidents or oversights and how to mitigate the risk of them occurring. Hosted across Thomas Miller websites, the videos are available to view for training purposes by both marine employers and their employees.

View the latest UK P&I’s Lesson Learnt video