Cargo Surveyors Flashcards
7 cards from real SAMS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Cargo Surveyors flashcards as text
When conducting a draft survey to determine cargo quantity, at which points on the vessel are drafts typically read?
Answer: Forward, midship, and aft on both port and starboard sides
Six draft readings — forward, midship, and aft on both port and starboard sides — are taken to accurately calculate mean draft and displacement.
A cargo surveyor discovers moisture damage to bagged grain in a vessel's lower hold. What is the FIRST step in documenting this finding?
Answer: Photograph the damage in situ before any cargo is moved
Photographing damage in situ preserves evidence of its condition and location before any disturbance that could alter the scene.
Which document serves as the primary contract of carriage between a shipper and a carrier for bulk cargo?
Answer: Charter party
The charter party is the primary contract defining terms and conditions between the shipowner/operator and the charterer for bulk cargo movements.
During outturn survey of steel coils, a surveyor notes rust that was not noted on the bill of lading. What should the surveyor determine first?
Answer: Whether the rust is superficial mill scale or active corrosion damage
Distinguishing mill scale (normal manufacturing residue) from active corrosion is critical because only genuine damage constitutes a valid cargo claim.
What is the purpose of a 'letters of protest' issued by a cargo surveyor or ship's officer?
Answer: To formally record objection to conditions or discrepancies that may affect cargo or vessel liability
Letters of protest create a contemporaneous written record of disputed conditions, preserving evidence for potential cargo claims.
A surveyor is inspecting a reefer container loaded with frozen fish. The set-point is -18°C but the pulp temperature reads -12°C. What does this indicate?
Answer: The cargo was likely loaded at an insufficient temperature before stuffing
A pulp temperature significantly above the set-point typically indicates the cargo was not pre-cooled to the required temperature prior to loading into the container.
Under the Hague-Visby Rules, the carrier's standard of care for cargo can best be described as:
Answer: Due diligence to make the ship seaworthy and properly care for cargo before and during the voyage
The Hague-Visby Rules require the carrier to exercise due diligence to provide a seaworthy ship and properly handle cargo, but do not impose absolute liability.