INGRESS OF WATER

Taylor Marine were appointed to establish the cause of alleged wetting damage to a bulk cargo of Sodium Bicarbonate observed during discharge of cargo carried on board a bulk carrier vessel. Cargo holds were found to be clean and dry prior to loading cargo, and there were no issues recorded during inspection and testing of the ships hatch covers.  However, inspection of a sounding/overflow pipe revealed significant rusting damage which had subsequently ruputured during ballasting operations prior to unloading of cargo.