Recomendaciones

1-616 It is possible to write a long list of tools for the marine surveyor, however one has to bear in mind the restrictions that may apply, particularly if the surveyor has to travel by air to visit a vessel. Having said that, there are some tools and equipment that are necessary to meet the rules and regulations that affect all surveyors in the course of earning their daily bread.

1-617 We should start with basic requirements, before discussing the specific equipment that may be required for any particular survey.

(a) Notebooks, ballpoint pens, and pencils – this may seem obvious but never leave yourself short of these essential items.

(b) Cameras. The most convenient camera today is a digital camera as you may take hundreds of photographs at a fraction of the cost of film. There has been much debate on the possibility of tampering with digital photographs, but if you taking the pictures for your own reference, and to support your findings in your report to the principal, this question need never arise. Should there be a possibility of photographic evidence being called in a court of law, then the surveyor should check the acceptance of digital photographs and, if neces-sary, take some essential pictures with a SLR camera. In both cases make sure you have back-up film or chips and, of course, spare batteries.

(c) Marker pens are essential for supporting your photographic records. Chalk is a common form of marker that is useful on most surfaces and easily removed.

(d) Means of illumination. An intrinsically safe torch complete with spare batteries and bulbs. Helmet fitted lamps that can be fitted to a safety helmet can be

Figure 21

An ABS Surveyor at Work, May 2000

Module 1 Going About a Survey

excellent for many situations and give you the added advantage of having your hands free.

(e) Tape measures. Be prepared to have a number of different types and sizes to meet your needs. From a 15cm rule, a short steel tape, to a 20–50m fibre tape. Also you may need sounding tapes with different bobs.

(f) Digital Dictaphone. These lightweight, easily handled devices are most useful as you can rapidly describe any situation using them at a faster rate than writing what you see. The digital Dictaphone can be used with soft-ware such as ViaVoice and your spoken word can produce a draft of what you have recorded on the survey. However be aware of the limitations of a Dictaphone. They need batteries, tapes and, most important of all, they need the surveyor’s ability to dictate useful, and only useful, information.

There is an art to the diligent use of the Dictaphone: remember, if you become totally dependent on this tool, and it if goes wrong, there is no second chance.

(g) Tools to poke and prod. The commonly used tools are chipping hammer or similar tools, spike, scraper, and a good knife. It is surprising how frequently these tools are needed during surveys.

(h) A calculator, and preferably one with a conversion facility.

(i) Sample containers such as bags, bottles or whatever you prefer to use.

Careful labelling is necessary. There is a frequent requirement to obtain samples of something during surveys. (They must always be clean and uncontaminated.)

(j) A reference notebook. It may be a good idea to compile your own quick ref-erence notes for formulae and general useful information. Nobody can retain in their head all the information that may be required.

(k) In the 21^stcentury there seems to be a need for the mobile phone. Whilst it is useful for keeping in contact with your customers, switch it off when you are surveying. It can prove to be very distracting and may cause you to miss important aspects of the survey.

1-618 At this point, without going into equipment operational details, it is important that surveyors are fully aware of the myriad of equipment available which is now essential and expected to be used to conduct a complete and competent survey.

1-619 Surveyors must be very aware of the capability of any of the equipment they use.

Not only to use it to the manufacturer’s instructions but to be fully confident and competent in its use both in practice and theory. The ability to interpret the results and to report these results in a coherent manner is also paramount to the effective use of any equipment. If wrongly used or interpreted, this equipment can have the completely opposite effect from that originally desired.

1-620 Let us briefly overview some of the tests and equipment that are in regular use by surveyors: On occasions they may have need of additional specialised equipment, such as digital counters, vibration meters, electrical millimeters, and many other specialised instruments but listed below are the more common ones.

Going About a Survey Module 1

(a) The silver nitrate test kit. This is used for testing for chloride, but it does not necessarily determine the presence of sea water only (two parts silver nitrate, two parts nitric acid (chlorine free) and 96 parts distilled water).

(b) A calibrated glass hydrometer. A simple device, but unless used correctly will result in large discrepancies.

(c) Multi level liquid samplers.

(d) Lap-top computers are becoming more widely used particularly among draught surveyors, and for ship vetting and safety auditing.

(e) Liquid level indicators are used in fixed bottle bank extinguisher systems.

(f) Ultra sonic thickness gauging. These instruments come in all shapes and sizes, eg high capability, variable velocity, intrinsically safe, and underwater types. Also they have the possibility of attaching data logging facilities which are essential for successfully recording the large amount of infor-mation required to complete a structural survey. It is important that you make sure you have the right one for the task.

(g) Paint thickness gauges for both conductive and non-conductive coatings.

(h) Ultrasonic hatchcover testing. The use of the correct generator and the interpretation or presentation of the results is imperative.

(i) Fuel and lube oil samplers. Variable method bunker sampling.

(j) Marine oil test kit.

(k) Water moisture content test kit.

(l) Contact thermometers. These are hand-held with ranges from
200C to

1700C. They are available with many probes to suit the job in hand.

(m) Non-contact thermometers. These are available in infra red or laser with ranges from
18C to 400C.

(n) Fixed temperature and humidity gauges.

(o) Hardness testers to measure the ultimate tensile strength.

(p) Roughness testers.

(q) Vibration testers to measure acceleration and velocity of parameters of moving machinery.

(r) Crankshaft deflection indicators.

(s) Moisture meters (GRP) detect moisture levels trapped within the layers of glass-reinforced plastic.

(t) Moisture meters (wood) measure the moisture content within wood from 8% to 80% saturation.

Module 1 Going About a Survey

(u) Moisture meters (condensation) indicate the potential for and the extent of condensation on a surface.

(v) Moisture meters (grain) measure the percentage of moisture in grain crops.

(w) Portable gas monitors to deal with single and multi-gases. Normally monitor oxygen, flammable gas, toxic gas, H2S, CO.

(x) Electronic rigging testers.

1-621 The above list can only be considered a general view of what is available on the open market. Some specialist companies have developed their own exclusive items of equipment that may not be available for the independent surveyor.

SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS

You have been instructed to carry out a condition survey of a handysize bulk carrier at a port that is close enough for you to drive to. List the tools and equipment you would take with you to safely carry out this survey.