CHIEF MATE EXAM ORAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - LATEST QUESTIONS | Page 147

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The preparation for a load line survey will involve ensuring that the hull is watertight below the freeboard deck and weather tight above it (cargo tank lids on tankers must be watertight).
The following checks should be conducted prior to survey:
1)Vessel's structural strength is sufficient.
2)The decks or hulls are not badly corroded.
3)There is no crack on deck or hull.
4)All dogs, clamps and hinges should be free and greased. Gaskets and other sealing arrangements should not show signs of perishing
5)Ensure that doors can be opened from both sides. Ensure that door labels such as ‘To be kept closed at sea’ are in place.
6)Hatch ways and hatch openings are weather tight. Securing devices such as clamps, cleats and wedges are to be all in place, well greased and adjusted to provide optimum sealing between the hatch cover and compression bar on the coaming.
7)Check the efficiency and securing of portable beams.
8)Inspect all machinery space openings on exposed decks.
9)All ventilators on deck and their coamings are in good condition.
10)Check that manhole covers on the freeboard deck are capable of being made watertight.
11)Cargo ports and other similar openings below freeboard deck are watertight.
12)Non-return valves, overboard discharging valves are operational.
13)Pumping arrangements in steering flat and forepeak tanks are in good condition.
14)Portholes, funnel flaps, sky lights in good condition and operational.
15)Check Bulwarks, railings are in good condition.
16)Deck line, loadline and draft markings are well painted.

On the day of the survey ensure that the Load Line certificate and the ship’s record of particulars are available for inspection.
The master / chief officer should have sufficient stability information to show that the vessel can load and ballasted correctly.
Sufficient manpower should be made available for the operations of hatch covers and the rigging of staging and ladders to allow the surveyor to view the load line and draught marks.
The ship’s stability data book should also be on hand for inspection.