3 Annual survey

 The annual survey should consist of an examination for the purpose of ensuring, as far as practicable, that the hull hatch covers, coamings and piping are maintained in a satisfactory condition and should take into account the service history, condition and extent of the corrosion prevention system of ballast tanks and areas identified in the survey report file.

  3.2.1 Examination of the hull plating and its closing appliances should be carried out as far as can be seen.

  3.2.2 Examination of watertight penetrations should be carried out as far as practicable.

  3.3.1 It should be confirmed that no unapproved changes have been made to the hatch covers, hatch coamings and their securing and sealing devices since the last survey.

  3.3.2 A thorough survey of cargo hatch covers and coamings is only possible by examination in the open as well as closed positions and should include verification of proper opening and closing operation. As a result, at least the hatch covers sets within the forward 25% of the ship’s length and at least one additional set, such that all the sets on the ship are assessed at least once in every 5-year period, should be surveyed open, closed and in operation to the full extent in each direction at each annual survey, including:

• .1 stowage and securing in open condition;

• .2 proper fit and efficiency of sealing in closed condition; and

• .3 operational testing of hydraulic and power components, wires, chains and link drives.

 The closing of the covers should include the fastening of all peripheral, and cross joint cleats or other securing devices. Particular attention should be paid to the condition of hatch covers in the forward 25% of the ship’s length, where sea loads are normally greatest.

  3.3.3 If there are indications of difficulty in operating and securing hatch covers, additional sets above those required by 3.3.2, at the discretion of the surveyor, should be tested in operation.

  3.3.4 Where the cargo hatch securing system does not function properly, repairs should be carried out under the supervision of the Administration. Where hatch covers or coamings undergo substantial repairs, the strength of securing devices should be upgraded to comply with annex 13.

  3.3.5 For each cargo hatch cover set, at each annual survey, the following items should be surveyed:

• .1 cover panels, including side plates, and stiffener attachments that may be accessible in the open position by close-up survey (for corrosion, cracks, deformation);

• .2 sealing arrangements of perimeter and cross joints (gaskets for condition and permanent deformation, flexible seals on combination carriers, gasket lips, compression bars, drainage channels and non-return valves);

• .3 clamping devices, retaining bars, cleating (for wastage, adjustment, and condition of rubber components);

• .4 closed cover locating devices (for distortion and attachment);

• .5 chain or rope pulleys;

• .6 guides;

• .7 guide rails and track wheels;

• .8 stoppers;

• .9 wires, chains, tensioners and gypsies;

• .10 hydraulic system, electrical safety devices and interlocks; and

• .11 end and interpanel hinges, pins and stools where fitted.

  3.3.6 At each hatchway, at each annual survey, the coamings, with plating, stiffeners and brackets should be checked for corrosion, cracks and deformation, especially of the coaming tops.

  3.3.7 Where considered necessary, the effectiveness of sealing arrangements may be proved by hose or chalk testing supplemented by dimensional measurements of seal compressing components.

  3.3.8 Where portable covers, wooden or steel pontoons are fitted, the satisfactory condition of the following should be confirmed:

• .1 wooden covers and portable beams, carriers or sockets for the portable beam, and their securing devices;

• .2 steel pontoons, including close-up survey of hatch cover plating;

• .3 tarpaulins;

• .4 cleats, battens and wedges;

• .5 hatch securing bars and their securing devices;

• .6 loading pads/bars and the side plate edge;

• .7 guide plates and chocks;

• .8 compression bars, drainage channels and drain pipes (if any).

  3.4.1 For bulk carriers over 10 years of age, the following should be carried out:

• .1 overall survey of two selected cargo holds. Where a protective coating is provided in cargo holds and is found in GOOD condition, the extent of close-up surveys and thickness measurements may be specially considered; and

• .2 when considered necessary by the surveyor, thickness measurement should be carried out. If the results of these thickness measurements indicate that substantial corrosion is found, the extent of thickness measurements should be increased in accordance with annex 10.

  3.4.2 For bulk carriers over 15 years of age, the following should be carried out:

• .1 overall survey of all cargo holds. Where a protective coating is provided in cargo holds and is found in GOOD condition, the extent of close-up surveys and thickness measurements may be specially considered; and

• .2 when considered necessary by the surveyor, thickness measurement should be carried out. If the results of these thickness measurements indicate that substantial corrosion is found, the extent of thickness measurements should be increased in accordance with annex 10.

  3.4.3 All piping and penetrations in cargo holds, including overboard piping, should be examined for bulk carriers over 10 years of age.

 Examination of ballast tanks should be carried out when required as a consequence of the results of the renewal survey and intermediate survey. When considered necessary by the surveyor, thickness measurement should be carried out. If the results of these thickness measurements indicate that substantial corrosion is found, the extent of thickness measurements should be increased in accordance with annex 10.