General Instructions regarding Damage to Cargo

In order to avoid cargo claims and liability therefore, we need to introduce a procedure for all captains to follow up with immediate effect.

Preparation of holds/Safety Measures

Stating the obvious, prior to commence loading the cargo holds need to be thoroughly cleaned and prepared. If the cargo consists of steel or any other cargo sensitive to water/salt/humidity, ensure that: the holds are cleaned with fresh water only; are completely dry before loading; Grease hatch-cover sealing in regular intervals. State each individual step of all preparations, including date and hour in the deck-log, for example, but not limited to Sweeping; Bilge cleaning and cleaning ventilator casing; Washing with fresh/salt water; Any other action taken; Final inspection by Captain/Chief officer. Please, ensure that all water ballast tanks will undergo pressure tests at regular time intervals, particularly prior to loading water-sensitive bulk and steel cargoes!!!

Acceptance of cargo
Generally familiarize yourself thoroughly with the terms of each C/P. It goes without saying that all cargo has to be thoroughly controlled and checked upon its delivery to me vessel with regard to quality and quantity. This goes in particular for all steel cargo and any other cargo sensitive to water/salt/humidity. Please, pay particular attention to: For unpacked coils or sheets in bundles or bars in bundles, whether any of these are subject to:
RUST AND/OR OIL STAINED OR SPOTTED ON INNER/OUTER LAPS; LAP EDGES ARE EITHER DISTORTED, DISPLACED OR TELESCOPED; TOP SHEETS RUSTY; RUSTY EDGES OR RUSTY ENDS;

 EDGES BENT AND RUSTY; WET BEFORE SHIPMENT; RECEIVED FROM OPEN STORE; SECURING BANDS ARE BROKEN OR MISSING, ANY (LIFTING) GEAR MARKS PRESENT.

Where applicable, please use any of the above descriptions when making remarks for each unit found to be deficient in the Mate's Receipt; WRITING GENERAL DESCRIPTIONS IS NOT SUFFICIENT!!! For packed coils or sheets in bundles or bars in bundles, whether any of these are subject to:o o o o o o o Securing bands broken or missing, Outer packing is visibly cither slightly or heavily damaged (disturbed), Outer packing is rusty and wet, Rusty edges or rusty ends, Edges bent and rusty, Wet before shipment, Received from open store.

Where applicable, please use any of the above descriptions when making remarks for each unit found to be deficient in the Mate's Receipt; WRITING GENERAL DESCRIPTIONS IS NOT SUFFICIENT!!! it is important to specify the reference number or any other cargo marking of such a unit, for instance order number according to loading list, etc. and list your remarks next to such reference number.

For cargoes packed in big bages Please carefully check that there is no water present between inner and outer bag. If and when any water or even condensation is found, please state in the MATE'S RECEIPT, clearly stating how many bags are involved!!! Also whether the water found is fresh or salt water!

In general Refuse to allow water-sensitive cargo being loaded in weather conditions carrying the risk of the cargo getting wet, If you are presented with a LETTER OF GUARANTEE check with Intersee BEFORE accepting. In case such letter being presented by the stevedores, such letter should also and in addition contain evidence that the stevedores were actually handling cargo by relevant instruction received from shippers. If you find any deficiency in quality or quantity of the vessels cargo, please ensure that you make all individual remarks accordingly in the MATE'S RECEIPT, also clearly evidencing whether a few, most or all coils or bundles are involved!

Be sure to make as detailed a description of short-comings as possible. Do specify damaged pieces, where and whenever possible showing the individual parcel-numbers. if necessary, do take photos !!! When you find stevedores are mishandling the cargo, for instance due to using improper lifting equipment or careless handling, please do state date, time and nature of your findings in the deck-log and present Stevedores with a Letter of Protest accordingly. Letter must also be forwarded to Charterer's and Intersee!
IN ANY CASE :

If you find any substantial damage to cargo condition please inform INTERSEE immediately. We can then contact our P & l - Club to arrange a pre-loading survey when and wherever necessary!!!

Bill's Of Lading
NEVER sign Charterers'/Shippers' Bill of Lading! In such case only authorize the (Charterers') Agent in writing to sign as follows:

/ HEREBY AUTHORISE CHARTERERS OR CHARTERER'S AGENTS TO SIGN THE BILLS OF LADING IN FULL CONFORMITY WITH MATE'S RECEIPTS"
(When there is no Mates Receipt, refer to MANIFEST or TALLY) Any Bill of Lading, within the frame headed ,,SHIPPERS DESCRIPTION OF GOODS" must be stamped with : ,,ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS PER CHARTER PARTY DATED ................... AT.................. INCLUDING ARBITRATION CLAUSE" Wherever possible, refuse to personally sign any B/L. Please authorize (Charterer's) Agent to sign as above. In any case NEVER stamp B/L with ship's seal. If the cargo is of unknown quality or quantity, ensure that the B/L contains remarks such as "contents unknown/said to contain" "said to weigh/said to contain" in case of packed cargo in apparent good order and condition, however contents and quality unknown to Carrier".

to expressly clarify that you will not take responsibility for such contents as this is unknown to you. B/Ls for deck cargo must always be marked as follows: the number of packages and its gross weight carried on deck, the remark:
"SHIPPED ON DECK SOLELY AT SHIPPERS/RECEIVER'S RISK. IN ANY CASE VESSEL ANO/OR OWNERS NOT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR LOSS OF OR DAMAGE TO CARGO HOWSOEVER CAUSED "

NEVER sign a clean Bill of Lading unless the cargo really has no deficiencies in quality or quantity!!!

Please note that the vessel will lose its insurance cover, if you (or Agent) on your behalf) sign clean B/L's contrary to facts known to you and possibly, as were even documented in the mate's receipt!!!

As a rule, if in doubt, immediately contact us and let us get P & l involved from the beginning. This is very important if the shipper/agent would insist on a clean B/L contrary to facts.

Again - do not sign and only authorize agent as stated above and least of all, do not accept/sign a so called LETTER OF WARRANTY/INDEMNITY. * Whenever B/Ls are marked "freight prepaid" please sign and insert written remark to agent to release only upon their receipt of lNTERSEE's express instruction in writing. Have the agent acknowledge receipt of this remark in writing, showing exact date and hour of his receipt!

Sea Passage
Weather and cargo permitting, inspect the condition cargo of the cargo hold at least once a day, in particular paying attention to condition of lashings, bilge, presence of condensation. Please, ensure date and times of your inspection as well as your findings will be stated in the logbook.

Never forget that any inspection of the cargo hold must be carried out with the Captain's knowledge and permission, therefore please make sure at all times that the usual safety procedures are effected! If weather and cargo will allow, cargo hold to be ventilated. This is particularly important when carrying fumigated cargo. In the latter case, please make very sure you follow precisely the instructions of the fumigation company. Again please keep exact records and do state date and times of all inspections carried out in the log book!! Whenever facing rough sea or stormy weather during sea passage, it is very important to state this in the log book, using remarks like for example: "Main engine slowed down to... % and course altered to ...... degrees due weather conditions" This is necessary because in case of contamination of the cargo by sea water, the Surveyor will always ask for the logbook in order to check whether or not the vessel faced bad weather conditions during sea passage, also whether the Captain took any suitable action to protect vessel and cargo from the seas! This is a very important instrument to Owners when in case of damage they are to repudiate claims from the side of Charterers.

Discharge Of Cargo
Prior to opening the hatches, please ensure water present in holes, etc. is removed by the crew.

In Case of Damage or Shortages

Inform us immediately in order to get P & l involved. If you cannot reach anyone from INTERSEE, refer to P & l representatives directly. Never admit liability, neither verbally nor writing. Instruct crew never to make any statements at all to anybody but yourself only. Never sign a letter of protest/liability presented to you. If you cannot avoid signing, enter the remark:
"SIGNED AS A RECEIVED LETTER ONLY. CONTENTS NOT ACCEPTED"

or, for instance in case of cargo shortfall:

"ALL CARGO HAS BEEN DISCHARGED ACCORDING TO B/L/CHARTER PARTY"

prepare as detailed a Master's report and reports by all other crew-members involved as possible. ensure detailed and complete entries in the deck- and bridge-log where applicable (e.g. weather conditions, actions of stevedores etc.) Enter (sea) protest, where and whenever applicable. Ensure that all Letters of Protest are marked with date and time of delivery to the other side and their name and address. Document damage as best you can (make photo!)