Hatch Cover

Tightness Testing
Device
Hatch Cover Tightness Testing
Over 40% of all P&I claims are due to damaged cargo caused by water ingress via the hatch covers. This
represents $46.9m of damaged cargo every year. As a result, reports of leaking hatch covers are the most
frequent case for selecting a vessel for an unscheduled condition survey.

Even small amounts of water can do extensive damage to cargoes. Steel products are the costliest when it
comes to wet damage - they make up 28% of claims – but dry bulk (22%) and bagged bulk (14%) are also
susceptible. Regular and efficient testing of hatch covers can, therefore, save companies like you millions
in claims for damaged cargo.

But the losses suffered by the shipping industry due to defective or poorly maintained hatch covers shows
no signs of diminishing. The 50 million GT, A- rated North of England P&I club says that it continues to
experience three to four claims each year valued between US$500,000 and US$ 1,000,000 for water-
damaged cargoes resulting from hatch cover defects.
Hatch Cover Testing Legislation
Hatch covers on bulk carriers are subject to annual inspection by the Classification
Societies surveyors. The inspection covers the structural parts of the coamings and hatch
covers as well as examining the closing, sealing and securing devices.

The “Guidelines on the Enhanced Programme of Inspection during Surveys” (ref. IMO
Res. A744(18)) states that hatch cover sets should be surveyed open, closed, and in
operation at each annual survey, including:

• Stowage and securing open position

• Proper fit and efficiency of sealing in closed condition
• Operational testing of hydraulic and power components, wires, chains and link drives

SOLAS Ch.XII states that all bulk carriers must comply with the maintenance requirements
provided in the ‘Standards for Owners’ Inspections and Maintenance of Bulk Carrier
Hatch Covers’. The hatch cover maintenance plan must also form a part of the ship’s
safety management system as referred to in the ISM code.
Ultrasonic Testing
There are three different kinds of tightness tests that can be used to check hatch covers for leakage
which includes:

• Water-hose leak detection

• Chalk testing
• Ultrasonic testing

Ultrasonic testing is very simple in its operation and is the most accurate way to ensure your hatches Inefficient Transmitter
are functioning correctly. Using just a transmitter and a detector the transmitter emits ultrasonic
waves and is placed in the cargo hold. The hatch cover is closed, fully cleated and battened. The
operator then uses the hand-held detector to listen for the ultrasonic waves from the outside, picking
up all sounds that pass through the sealing arrangements, vents or cracks.

The effectiveness of a hatch cover tester is determined by the amount of energy that reaches the
hatch cover. This is turn is determined by a combination of the primary dispersion pattern from the
emitter and the first reflection pattern.

Hatch cover testers that rely on secondary and subsequent reflection patterns to direct the sound to
the hatch cover are less effective due to the gradual loss of the sound at each reflection.

Unlike hose and chalk tests which only show if there is contact between the rubber packing and
compression bar, ultrasonic testing indicates when you have the required compression and provides a
precise location for any leakages. It only needs one operator and doesn’t rely on the cargo hold being
emptied. Efficient Transmitter
 Hatchtite™
Because of its high power, unique design and pattern of emitters, Hatchtite™ is the most
effective ultrasonic tester on the market. Over its lifetime, Hatchtite™ will cost you less than
70 cents per day per ship. You can also easily move Hatchtite™ from ship to ship. Wouldn’t you
and your company feel assured knowing that your cargo is safe because you made the decision
to buy the best testing device on the market?

Realise the benefits today:

• Pinpoints small leaks are areas that lack compression

• Lightweight and portable
• Simple to use, accurate and reliable
• Can be carried without interfering with ships operations
• Full ABS Type Approval

Features

Dome Configuration Emission Strength Low Maintenance Less Disruption Meets Regulations Robust & Durable

Hatchtite™ uses 13, Hatchtite’s transmitter Hatchtite’s runtime is Hatchtite™ can be easily Hatchtite™ measures in Hatchtite™ is rated IP66.
40 KHz ultrasound is 1,000 times more 40 hours instead of the lowered down into the decibels to comply with It’s fully compliant with
emitters arranged on a powerful than any other usual 10 and, while most hold whether the ship is P&I club stipulations and IACS Unified Requirement
dome. This produces an on the market so it’s able ultrasonic transmitters empty or loaded so there’s DNV requirements. U.R.Z17 and is approved
omnidirectional sound to give complete cover in need calibrating annually, no major interruption to by insurers and P&I clubs.
field that’s uniformly even the largest of holds. Hatchtite™ will operate for operations.
distributed throughout 5 years before calibration
the cargo hold. is required.
Technical Specifications

Transmitter Receiver
Dimensions: 190 (L) x 100 (W) x 60 (D) mm Max Dimensions: 160 (L) x 95 (W) x 38 (D) mm
Weight: 200g Weight: 225g
Case Material: Impact resistant ABS with leather pouch Case: Impact resistant ABS with Lether pouch
IP Rating: IP 66 IP Rating: IP 66
Indicators: 3No. Green LED’s - Correct Operation, 3No. User Controls: OHV calibration control knob, Remote
Red LED’s - Low Battery Indicator Control db/OHV Selector
Output: 157 dB @ 40 KHz Loudspeakers: 1W - internal
Emitters: 13 individual emitters Power: 1 x PP3 9V Alkaline disposable cell
Power: 6No. AA 1.5V Alkaline batteries, Input for 9 Battery Life: 40 Hours
to 24V DC
Headphone: Colour coded BLUE3 accepts 3.5mm jack,
User Controls: ON/OFF Switch stereo or mono inspection microphone
Battery Life: 4-6 hour socket colour coded RED
Socket Display: 3 1/2 digit 12.7mm characters LC display

Microphone Carry Case

Dimensions: 10mm diameter, 1200mm extended, Dimensions: 450 x 320 x 100mm
300mm folded closed
Material: Polycarbonate
Material: Aluminium extention
Weight: 1.9Kg
Weight: 200g
Hatch Cover
Tightness
Testing Device

Martek Marine Ltd Asia Pacific Office

Adwick Park 3 Church Street
Manvers Level 8 Samsung Hub
Rotherham Singapore
S63 5AB 049483
United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 (0) 1709 599 222 Telephone: +65 64 083 334
Fax: +44 (0) 1709 871 873 Email: apacsales@martek-marine.com
Email: info@martek-marine.com

Registered in England and

Wales - number: 3930003