Properly performed anticorrosive maintenance on deck is an important factor.
Therefore the great work of the crew of M/V Sjard shall be highlighted herewith.
In the beginning the crew started the replacement of the hatch covers seals.
Of course, anticorrosive maintenance planned to be done before gluing of new seals; but after chipping of the seal holders (channels) it turned out, that there is almost no steel remaining in some places.
Consequently, the crew grinded these “channels” off and welded new ones. All works have been done during sea passage and, of course, all safety measures were taken to prevent fire in cargo holds. After that new channels were properly painted and new seals glued; the hose test showed no leakages to cargo holds.
Now the hatch covers are indeed watertight and cargo holds 100% ready for any “watersensitive” cargo.