Gard Guidance to Masters

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Gard Guidance Masters

2.12.2.9 CARGO SAMPLING DRY BULK CARGOES

For further details please refer to Gard News 153, Cargo sampling.

A. General
Cargo samples taken at load or discharge ports are important for

the safety of the vessel, i.e. to establish the properties of cargoes likely to shift

identifying vessel or cargo problems before and/or during loading and discharge, i.e. comparing shore with vessel figures and identifying any possible deterioration of the cargo or any malfunction of the vessel’s installations

the purpose of evidencing
– the cargo’s condition at load or discharge port
– bad or suspect outturn at the discharge port.

B. Sampling procedures
Sample taking should follow the Company’s written procedures. When taking samples, the following points should be noted

applicable industry guidelines and/or procedures should be followed<

safety precautions should be taken, which include – evaluation of the atmosphere in the tank or hold; please see section 2.8.5.8 Entry into enclosed spaces
– Personal Protective Equipment should be used – please see section 2.8.4.1 Safe working clothes – Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
– safe sampling equipment.

C. Sampling equipment
Sampling equipment

should be appropriate and be compatible with the cargo to be sampled, and

only thoroughly cleaned equipment should be used.

D. Sufficient number and amounts
Representative samples and sufficient sample amounts need to be taken

a number of samples taken at regular intervals and at different places within the cargo spaces or continually during loading/discharging liquid cargoes

more than one set of tests may be required.

E. Labelling and sealing
Samples

must be properly labelled and sealed in the presence of the other interested parties

to be tested or retained, must be taken by ship’s personnel or their representatives in the presence of the other interested parties.

F. Retention of samples
Retention and storage of samples

careful consideration should be given to which samples should be retained and for how long

samples retained must be stored in a safe place where they cannot be tampered with

samples taken must be stored in a dark, well ventilated place away from heat and other sources likely to interfere with the sample.

G. Sample logs – protests – no tampering
A sample log should be kept recording which samples are stored where for the purposes of identifying samples at a later stage for testing or for safe disposal.

Written protests should be lodged when the other interested parties refuse to attend joint sampling, labelling and sealing.

A surveyor or analyst should be engaged when in doubt.

Samples should never be tampered with to prevent jeopardising the reliability of the sample and allegations of fraud.

Safety and environmental aspects should be fully considered when disposing of samples.

If the Master is in doubt or difficulties arise during joint sampling operations between the vessel and the other party, the Master should request assistance from the local P&I correspondent.

For sampling bulk liquid cargoes, please see section 2.12.2.2.E Cargo samples.

2.12.2.9 Cargo sampling dry bulk cargoes