Before/after: hatch coaming renewal completed between arrival and sailing
A 22-metre insert repair sequence closed alongside inside the port stay. Class-approved procedure, full traceability, no diversion.
A vessel arrived Douala with a defect list that included a wasted section on the No. 3 hatch coaming — enough that the port state inspector had flagged it at the previous call. The Master wanted it closed before sailing.
The scope
- 22 linear metres of coaming top plate, wastage below acceptable
- Insert plate renewal, class-approved procedure, WPS on file
- Full NDT: visual + dye penetrant on all closing welds
- Coating restoration to shipyard standard
- Class attendance for final acceptance
The sequence
Day 0, 14:00 — arrival. Attendance on board within 45 minutes of gangway down. Confirmed the wastage map, agreed the cut lines with Chief Officer, opened the class file with the surveyor.
Day 0, 18:00 — mobilisation. Insert plates pre-cut in the workshop to the marked dimensions. Welding machines and consumables on board by 20:00. Fire watch briefed. Hot work permit signed.
Day 1, 06:00 — cropping complete. Wasted sections removed and edges prepared. Class surveyor attended for fit-up before welding.
Day 1, 22:00 — welding complete. Multi-pass insert welds on all four sides. Passes photographed between runs for the record.
Day 2, 08:00 — NDT complete. Dye penetrant on every closing weld, results photographed, no defects. Class attended and accepted.
Day 2, 14:00 — coating restored. Primer plus two topcoats on the repaired area, matched to the vessel's PMS colour.
Day 2, 18:00 — sailing. Class certificate updated. Repair report handed to Chief Officer with all traceability.
What made it close on time
Pre-cut plate in the workshop before mobilisation. Welder certificates and procedure on file before the surveyor asked. Consumables from a batch we could trace on the report. None of it was heroic. All of it was decided before the vessel arrived.
If you have a coaming, deck plate or shell insert on your list for the next Douala call, send us the drawing and thickness spec. We will scope it to close inside the port stay.