How Do You Test the Tightness of a Hatch Cover?
Hatch Cover Tightness Testing Hatch covers are essential for ships that prevent water from entering the cargo holds. They protect the vessel from flooding and
August 28, 2024
Portascanner® WATERTIGHT PLUS is a handheld watertight integrity tester for inspecting the watertightness and weathertightness of hatch covers, watertight doors and multi cable transit seals in marine environments. It is a portable, handheld solution which can be used by a single operator to test a large number of different hatches and seals in one quick and easy inspection.
P/N: 509004-WTPLUS
NSN: 6625-99-257-8336
IMPA MSG P/N: 652778
KD983 CAGE code – COLTRACO LIMITED
Ultrasonic hatch cover testing is the only recognised method by P&I Clubs around the world in determining weathertightness in hatch covers. Using the Portascanner® WATERTIGHT PLUS, the crew is able to locate leaks and report them in decibel (dB) and percentage Open Hatch Value (%OHV) which is a Classification Society requirement.
The hatch cover is considered weathertight when the %OHV is less than 10%, and the Portascanner® WATERTIGHT PLUS calculates this figure automatically to enable quick and seamless testing by the crew. This calculation requirement complies with DNVGL-CP-0484 and IACS URZ17. Suitable for use on all classes of bulk carriers, offshore structures and various marine vessel types.
Portascanner® WATERTIGHT PLUS’ ABS Type Approval and RINA Classification Society Acceptance establish it as an industry-approved solution to watertight integrity testing and regulatory compliance.
IMO SOLAS Reg II-1/21.3 states that “The watertight doors and all mechanisms and indicators connected therewith shall be periodically inspected at sea at least once a week.”
Conventional tests to meet this regulation like the Chalk test and Hose test are inferior to the quick and clean testing process which Portascanner® WATERTIGHT PLUS. These processes require multiple operators, take longer, and in the case of the hose test, can be messy.
Portascanner® WATERTIGHT PLUS is used by a single operator to detect leaks in the hatch or structure and it can give an exact value of the severity of the leak. This allows these weekly inspections to be conducted faster.
Portascanner® WATERTIGHT PLUS has three operational settings and adjustable gain to make it a versatile solution to a wide range of structures:
Decibel (dB): Using the logarithmic Decibel scale, this expresses the received signal in the raw form which marine safety regulations dictate is necessary.
Linear/Numerical: This mode expresses the received ultrasonic signal on a linear rather than logarithmic scale, allowing for easier interpretation of results.
Open Hatch Value (OHV)%: Specific for hatch covers, this mode displays the leak size as a percentage of the saved value for a hatch cover as if it were fully open.
There is a misconception that ultrasound travels in only one direction, it actually reflects off surfaces, giving you full coverage of the cargo hold. Having 5 transducers is as powerful as heavy and bulky older style generators, which are still used on most basic models in the market.
The Portascanner® WATERTIGHT PLUS generator fills the entire cargo hold with ultrasound. The specific power output of the generator is chosen to fill the space and works in tandem with the receiver without being overpowered to saturate the receiver. This ensures that Open Hatch Values remain a meaningfully quantitative measurement through which to assess watertightness /weathertightness effectively. “Overpowered” receivers cut off the reading at an arbitrary maximum which would make the Open Hatch Values meaningless.
It is important to avoid a maximum reading for the OHV because a maximum reading could, actually, be anything above the maximum and is therefore useless in comparing to the closed hatch value, when the measurement is taken.
Technical Specification | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | Main Unit: 229x85x35 mm (L x W x D) Generator: 147x89x54 mm (L x W x D) Sensor Wand: 230mm (L) x 35mm (Diameter) |
| Unit Weight | Main Unit: 400g (with batteries) Generator: 400g (with batteries) |
| Power Supply | Main Unit: 1x PP3 9V Generator: 3x PP3 9V |
| Battery Life | 10 Hours Continuous Use |
| Sensor Type | 35mm Flexible Sensor Wand |
| Sensor Connectivity | 1.8m BNC Coaxial Cable |
| Generator Frequency | 40KHz |
| Operating Temperature | -20°C to +70°C (-4°F to +158°F) |
| Display | 55 x 28 mm Backlit LCD Display |
| Minimum Leak Detection | 0.06 mm ±0.02mm Leak Diameter |
| Classifications & Approvals | RINA Classification Society Accepted, ABS Type Approved, NSN: 6625-99-257-8336 |
| Registrations | UKCA, CE, Coltraco is ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 Compliant |
| Warranty |
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The Portagauge® 6 is a multiple echo ultrasonic thickness gauge for measuring thicknesses of various metals and hard plastics, which ignores any coating up to 20mm in thickness. It comes with built-in datalogger to store up to 200,000 thickness measurements and minimum thickness alarm functionality.
P/N: 2099382-6
Portascanner® WATERTIGHT PRO is a handheld, tablet-based integrity testing system that is able to detect the exact location and size of multiple leaks simultaneously on a single structure. Portascanner® WATERTIGHT PRO records leak flow rate and location to its database and can export these to a USB to record and report the test results electronically.
P/N: 509004-PRO
NSN: 6625-99-257-8336
IMPA MSG P/N: 652778
KD983 CAGE code – COLTRACO LIMITED
Portalevel® MAX MARINE PLUS is a highly capable, handheld liquid level indicator with ABS Type Approval for marine applications in level monitoring. Portalevel® MAX MARINE PLUS is fast, accurate, and reliable; with a survivable construction and cutting-edge ultrasonic capabilities, it allows an operator to non-invasively monitor the liquid level of almost any CO2, Halon, or Clean Agent fire suppression system at sea.
P/N: 2290334-COMXPSM
NSN: 6680-99-192-2735
IMPA MSG P/N: 652776
KD983 CAGE code – COLTRACO LIMITED
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