PSC deficiency code 03105: Covers (hatchway-, portable-, tarpaulins, etc.)
Area 03 Water and weathertight conditions
Code 03105 is a load line code for the covers that close hatchways on exposed decks. That means steel hatch covers over the holds, portable covers on small hatches and, on older ships, hatch boards made tight with tarpaulins. The inspector's doubt is whether the cover would keep water out of the space below in heavy weather.
What the inspector looks at
The inspector usually walks the hatch tops and may ask for a cover to be opened and closed.
- Rubber packing continuous, elastic and seated in its channel, with no gaps, hardened lengths or paint on it
- Compression bars and coaming tops straight and sound
- Cleats, quick-acting cleats and cross-joint wedges complete and free to move, with their washers
- Top and skirt plates free of corrosion holes and cracks, especially at corners
- Drain channels clear and drain non-return valves working
- On hydraulically operated covers: cylinders, lifting jacks, pipes and hoses on deck free of leaks and heavy corrosion
- Where tarpaulins are used: their condition, plus battens, wedges and locking bars
Common findings
- Hatch cover rubber packing hardened and missing in places
- Several quick-acting cleats seized on No. 2 hatch cover
- Corrosion holes in hatch cover skirt plate
- Hatch cover drain non-return valves missing
- Hatch cover lifting jacks leaking hydraulic oil
- Hydraulic pipes for hatch covers on main deck heavily corroded, leaking, risk of pollution
- Tarpaulin torn, battens and wedges missing
- Hatch cover not weathertight, ultrasonic test failed
The rule behind it
The International Convention on Load Lines, 1966, with the 1988 Protocol where it applies, sets the conditions of assignment of freeboard in Annex I, chapter II. It has separate requirements for hatchways closed by portable covers with tarpaulins and battening devices, and for steel weathertight covers with gaskets and clamping devices. The Load Line Certificate assumes these closures work, and the Record of Conditions of Assignment lists them.
Action codes you are likely to see
A few missing cleat washers or a blocked drain can be put right during the visit and marked 10. Renewing packing or cleats on several covers is often written as 17, or 16 if the inspector accepts a short deadline. Defective hatch closing arrangements appear in the IMO list of load line deficiencies that may justify detention, so covers that can't be made weathertight, holed top plates or long runs of missing packing can lead to 30. See action taken codes.
How to close it
The crew can free and grease cleats, clear drains and renew short lengths of packing from stock. Leaking jacks, cylinders and corroded hydraulic pipes go to the maker's service or a hydraulics workshop; clean up the spilled oil and record it, since oil on an open deck can reach the sea. Full packing renewal, new compression bars and steel repairs usually need a yard or a riding squad, and class should be told before any welding on a load line closing appliance. Afterwards a hose test or ultrasonic tightness test shows the covers are tight; ask class which it accepts. File photos, the test report and any class report with the Form B. Related: ventilators and air pipes, doors and deck corrosion.