Whether you are an experienced marine inspector from marine inspection services or a rookie, the following fundamentals will help you gain the knowledge and confidence you need to do an adequate inspection.
Proper lighting
A sound lighting system is crucial to the safe operation of a commercial vessel. The lights onboard must meet the appropriate certification requirements.
There are many rules to follow when installing and operating lighting systems. You must also avoid haphazard installation. Lights are used to indicate the ship’s status and identify other vessels. They are also used to facilitate navigation.
The best way to tell if your navigation lights are working is by performing a physical inspection. You will need to check for dead batteries, burned-out bulbs, and obstructions.
You will also want to look for the essential item in your lighting system. This can be a bulb or a fixture.
Documentation tools
Various levels of marine inspection are performed regularly. Depending on the vessel’s operational status, maintenance routines are as specific as the make and model. Various tools and techniques are employed to accomplish the task.
Among the tools, you may use various cameras, video recorders, and video cameras. For larger areas, you may need to use a hydraulic grinder with a barnacle buster attached. You can also use various other tools, including rotary coring equipment, for taking core samples from concrete structures.
It’s important to remember that while there are several tools and techniques to consider, the most effective one may not be the cheapest. This is especially true if you’re conducting an underwater inspection.
Sacrificial anodes
Typically, sacrificial anodes are manufactured in aluminum, zinc, or magnesium. They are placed in areas of marine environments, such as marinas and docks, to protect submerged metal structures from corrosion. They also protect sea chests, ballast tanks, and heat exchangers.
Sacrificial anodes are commonly cast in a flat plate or bracelet style. They are usually supplied with cast-m straps. Sacrificial anodes should be installed as per a pre-planned geometry. They should be checked every two or three years to ensure they are working correctly.
Sacrificial anodes have been used to protect the hulls of ships and sailboats from galvanic corrosion. They work on the electrolysis principle. The seawater acts as the electrolyte and transfers electrons from the anode to the metal structures below.
Pitting corrosion
Using a high-beam torch to examine the surface of a corroded metal can show deformations that are not evident in a larger area. The metallographic cross-section will reveal the intensity of the attack.
When inspecting a vessel, an experienced officer should visually examine the corroded metal surface. He should also look for deformations in a straight line. In addition, the officer should examine the surrounding areas for re-coating failure.
Pitting corrosion is a localized form of corrosion. It usually occurs on passive alloys, such as aluminum. It is accentuated by oxidation and galvanic reactions. Sulfate-reducing bacteria play a significant role in pitting corrosion.
OCS marine inspector proficiency will improve
During the 1990s, the Coast Guard began to experience a decline in the quality of marine safety inspectors. This was due to a need for more technical expertise and a diverting of resources to other Coast Guard functions. The maritime industries complained to Congress. As a result, the Coast Guard was forced to shift its focus away from marine safety and maritime security.
The Coast Guard recognized the need to improve the quality of marine inspectors. To do so, they introduced a standardized inspection approach. This allowed the Coast Guard to identify recurring problems and develop asset maintenance strategies. The first standardized inspection approach was introduced at OCS.
Time and effort required to carry out the inspection
Fortunately, the Coast Guard is taking steps to address this by developing a new training program shortly and deploying a mobile application for remote database access. The Coast Guard is also working on a new fleet management strategy that will improve its readiness and enhance its ability to respond to maritime threats. In the meantime, a study by the GAO on marine inspection showed that there is no guarantee that the Coast Guard is equipped to handle the growing volume of maritime traffic.
The GAO studied the Coast Guard’s marine inspection program and came away with the following: Despite a robust program, the Coast Guard is currently operating at an unsustainable level, and the resulting workforce needs are unsustainable.