Inspection of Hatch Cover Main Components

• Are the compression bars free of damage?
• Are the hatch coaming tops, drainaige channels in good condition and clean?
• Are the drain holes clean?
• Are the non-return valves in good order? Where applicable, are the fire cap firmly connected by a lanyard to the valve?
• Are the inboard coamings, especially at the cross joints or split joints, free of vertical rust staining?
• Are the quick-acting cleats in good order? Are the rubber washers flexible and free of cracks and paint particles?
• Are the other parts being associated with the cleats, such as crutches, snugs in good condition?
• Are the bearing pads / flexipads free of wear and damages?
• Are the side and cross-over rubber joints in good condition and free of grooving? Are the corner pads, joints, and end pieces of rubber sealing in good order? In case of rubber packing replacement, is the minimum length of the replaced part one meter?
• Are rubber seal retaining channels free of corrosion? Are the channel supports and brackets in good condition?
• Are the hatch cover parts, such as wheels, hydraulic jacks and flexible hoses, chains (if applicable), link and safety pins, gas sampling plugs, natural vents in good order?
  
• Are the hatch cover panels free of misalignment?
• Are the cross-joint wedges and their wedge bridge (where fitted) in good order?

Maintenance tips

Hatch Cover Seals

• Check the seals for elasticity, wear and permanent deformation.
• When the hatch covers are open, rubber seals should regain their orignal shape. The design compression should be 25% of thickness.
• Discard the rubber seal as per manufacturer's instructions (minimim length of 1 m).
• Perform a tightness test after rubber seal replacement.
  
• Apply lubricant i.e. silicon grease on the end and corner seals at the hinge / split joints at regular intervals for smooth sliding against the compression bars.

Bearing Pads

• Check the bearing pads for mechanical damage or wear.
• Steel rest pads welded on the hatch coaming should always be repaired to their original design height.
  
• The flexipads should be completely covered in waterproof rubber which prevents corrosion. Deteriorated rubber has an effect on the mechanical strength and elasticity of the outer surface.
• Replace the flexipad in case the shape indicates a damaged inner surface. 
  

Non-return Valves

• Check the drain valve for any damage. Replcae it if necessary.
  
• Ensure that the drain valves and associated piping are to clogged.
• Ensure that the float ball inside the valve is moving freely.
• Remove any blogging item if necessary. In order to prevent clogging from cargo debris, you may put a wooden bung in the drain hole during the cargo operation but remove it after complaetion.
  

Quick-acting Cleats

• Ensure proper functioning.
• Dismantle all the cleat's component parts for complete maintenance.
  
• Lubricate the cleats and hold-down devices. Apply grease on the thread.
  
• Replace the cleat in case of heavily corrosion and / or damage.
• Repalce the rubber washer in case of cracks and / or poor elasticity.
• Replace the steel ring in case of heavily corrosion.
  
• Upgrade the crutches and snugs prior to cleats' assembling.
• Adjust the cleats as per manufacturer's instructions.
  
• Do not overtight the cleats to avoid stresses due to hatch cover movement during the passage.

Wedges / Fx-Stoppers

• Check for any corrosion and wear.
• Ensure smoothness of the contact surfaces.
• Replace the wear pieces and / or add shim plates as per manufacture's instructions.
• Apply grease to the contact surfaces.
• Built-up the touching side if needed. Then, grind and make the surface flat.

Hatch Cover Wheels

• Check the proper functioning.
• MAintain the wheels so that to be free of rust.
  
• Lubricate the wheels' bearings.
  

Hatch Cover Hinges

• Apply grease on the hinge pins.
• Replace the worn-out and / or heavily corroded pins.
  

Hydraulic Jack Cylinders

• Check the cylinders for any oil leakages.
• Lubricate in all respects i.e. bearings, pins, glands

Common Poor Practices

Hose & Ultrasonic Test