A RightShip inspection can expose more than obvious physical defects. Missing procedures, incomplete maintenance records, weak crew knowledge or an unverified hatch repair can all undermine inspection readiness. For operators in the dry bulk sector, the condition of the vessel’s hatch covers is especially important because a small leak can lead to water ingress, cargo damage and disruption during cargo operations.
RISQ 3.2 brings this risk into sharper focus. The RightShip Inspection Ship Questionnaire refers directly to ultrasonic hatch cover testing in its bulk grain and hatch cover sections. This article explains what those references mean, what evidence operators should prepare and how ultrasonic testing can support cargo protection without replacing routine inspection and maintenance.
What Is the RightShip Inspection Ship Questionnaire?
The RightShip Inspection Ship Questionnaire, usually shortened to RISQ, assesses vessel condition, crew familiarity, maintenance, safety protocols and the effectiveness of the Safety Management System.
RISQ covers statutory requirements, industry recommendations and recognised industry best practices. It considers whether onboard procedures are understood, followed and supported by objective evidence. The questionnaire is designed to help ship managers prepare and to support consistent, evidence-based vessel inspections.
For ship owners and managers, a RightShip inspection should not be treated as a one-day exercise. The questionnaire can be used in advance to review vessel operations, crew management, maintenance standards and wider compliance and safety standards before an inspector boards.
The official RightShip Inspection Ship Questionnaire guidance provides access to the latest RISQ information and supporting material.
Does RISQ 3.2 Require Ultrasonic Hatch Cover Testing?
RISQ 3.2 explicitly addresses ultrasonic hatch cover testing, but it does not create a universal statutory requirement for every vessel and cargo. Question 8.13 advocates ultrasonic testing before loading bulk grain. Question 9.3 asks whether adequate hose and/or ultrasonic testing procedures are in place and whether documented evidence is available. Operators should apply the questionnaire alongside applicable regulations, cargo requirements, manufacturer guidance and their own Safety Management System.
Where Does Ultrasonic Hatch Cover Testing Appear in RISQ 3.2?
Two sections are particularly relevant to bulk carrier operators preparing for vessel inspections.
Question 8.13: Bulk Grain Cargo Operations
Question 8.13 asks whether hatch covers have been ultrasonically tested for weathertightness before loading. Its guidance describes ultrasonic testing as an established method for locating the exact position and extent of leakage.
The guidance also notes that the method can indicate the compression status of the rubber seal. A seal that is properly compressed is better able to accommodate movement at sea and maintain tightness.
Testing before loading gives the crew time to identify a leaking hatch, complete corrective actions and repeat the test before cargo enters the hold. The test may be carried out on loaded or empty holds and does not introduce water into the cargo area.
Question 9.3: Procedures, Testing and Maintenance Records
Question 9.3 asks whether adequate procedures exist for hose tests and/or ultrasonic testing and whether documented evidence is available. RightShip recommends checking hatch cover weathertightness at least once every three months and recording the date and type of the latest test.
For steel cargo, the guidance recommends ultrasonic testing before loading and in the presence of the loading surveyor. It also states that ultrasonic equipment should be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
The practical point for ship managers is that owning the equipment is not enough. The testing process, results, defects and follow-up work should be traceable through clear maintenance records.
What Should a RightShip Hatch Cover Inspection Checklist Include?
A focused RightShip inspection checklist for hatch cover readiness should confirm that procedures, people, equipment and evidence all tell the same story.
Before inspection, check that:
- The Safety Management System includes hatch operation, inspection and testing procedures.
- Recent ultrasonic or hose test reports are available, including dates and results.
- Defects have documented corrective actions and follow-up tests.
- The Master or Chief Officer can provide evidence of relevant hatch cover training.
- Seals, cleats, supports, drains, coamings and compression bars are maintained.
RISQ states that objective evidence should support inspection answers. The word of ship staff alone is not always sufficient, although the crew’s ability to demonstrate a task can itself provide evidence.
Question 9.2 also recommends appropriate hatch cover inspection and maintenance training for the Master and Chief Officer. Training should be relevant to the hatch cover type installed, while the vessel’s SMS should define safe procedures, authority and communication during hatch operations.
How Does Ultrasonic Testing Help Find a Leaking Hatch?
Ultrasonic hatch cover testing uses a transmitter inside the cargo hold and a handheld receiver outside. With the hatch closed and secured, ultrasonic sound escapes through small openings in seals, cross-joints or other leakage paths.
The operator moves the detector around the vessel’s hatch covers and records the escaping signal. This makes it possible to identify a localised problem without applying water across the hatch.
For example, a raised reading around a cross-joint may lead the crew to inspect the gasket, compression bar, cleats and panel alignment. After repair, the area can be retested and the original result, work completed and follow-up reading retained as evidence.
Coltraco’s guide to ultrasonic hatch cover testing explains how transmitters and receivers are used to find leakage around cargo hatches.
What Is Open Hatch Value?
Taking an OHV does not replace physical inspection. Open Hatch Value, or OHV, is the reference signal taken while the hatch is open. Once that baseline has been recorded, the hatch is closed and the detector is passed along each seal.
RISQ 3.2 states that a reading above 10% OHV indicates a point where water ingress may be possible. The result helps the operator assess leakage consistently and compare readings before and after repairs.
OHV does not replace physical inspection. Weathertightness still depends on well-maintained seals, cleats, supports, drains and other hatch components. Rust staining, damaged compression bars, blocked drains, worn bearing pads and misaligned panels can all indicate problems requiring closer attention.
How Does Ultrasonic Testing Compare With Traditional Hatch Tests?
Different hatch cover tests answer different questions.
A chalk test can show whether a rubber seal contacts the compression bar, but it does not prove that the hatch is weathertight.
A hose test applies water to the closed hatch and checks whether it enters the cargo hold. It requires suitable conditions, access to water and more than one person, and the process can take several hours.An air test may be used in some procedures, depending on the structure and applicable industry standards.
Ultrasonic testing does not require water. It can identify the area of sound leakage and provide a measurable result in decibels or as a percentage of Open Hatch Value. Coltraco’s article on the progression from chalk testing to ultrasonics provides further background on how these methods differ.
Can Hatch Testing Guarantee a Valid RightShip Inspection?
No single hatch cover test guarantees a valid RightShip inspection or a particular vessel safety score. Inspection validity considers the number and severity of findings alongside the quality of the close-out submission.
Ultrasonic testing provides objective evidence for one important area of the vessel. It does not replace checks covering comprehensive safety, crew welfare, regulatory compliance, safety equipment or the wider condition and quality of the ship.
Where a finding is raised, ship owners should identify the root cause, complete corrective and preventative actions, and retain evidence showing that the weakness has been addressed. This supports long-term operational excellence more effectively than carrying out an isolated test shortly before inspection.
How Does Portascanner® WATERTIGHT PLUS Support Routine Inspections?
Portascanner® WATERTIGHT PLUS is a portable ultrasonic integrity tester for hatch covers, watertight doors and multi-cable transit seals. A single operator can position the transmitter within the space and scan the external seals using the handheld receiver.
The instrument displays readings in decibels and percentage Open Hatch Value, helping crews locate leakage and document the severity of a potential defect. It can support routine inspections, planned maintenance, pre-loading checks and retesting after repairs.
Portascanner® WATERTIGHT PLUS has ABS Type Approval and RINA Classification Society Acceptance. Its three operating modes allow results to be viewed in decibels, linear values or percentage OHV. Ultrasonic equipment should always be used in line with manufacturer instructions and the vessel’s approved testing procedures.
Prepare the Hatch Cover, Crew and Evidence
RISQ 3.2 reinforces a practical point: inspection readiness is not demonstrated by the appearance of a closed hatch alone. Operators need clear procedures, trained crew, maintained components and current evidence showing that tests and repairs have been properly carried out.
Ultrasonic hatch cover testing helps crews locate leakage before it develops into water ingress, cargo damage or a wider maintenance issue. Used as part of a structured inspection and maintenance process, it can strengthen cargo protection and give inspectors clearer evidence of how the vessel manages hatch cover integrity.
