200341 Density Check

10 Feb 2003 MARS

Density Check
Report No. 200341

Exactly 20 minutes before the time the pilot was due to board, two representatives from the relevant Port State Control boarded the vessel. They then used incorrect data on the density of sea water in the port to calculate the vessel's required draft. This resulted in a 6cm discrepancy and they told us that the vessel was overloaded and they would have to detain us until we had discharged about 160 tonnes of cargo.

We used the ship's hydrometer to find the density alongside the berth and showed them the results. We then carried out all calculations of draft again together with them.

The calculation proved that the vessel was loaded precisely to her summer permitted draft and we were then able to complete the matter amicably. Everything was finally sorted out satisfactorily. However, since the implementation of the ISM Code, the behaviour of some port state control inspectors has become more and more impudent.