Cargo Surveyors Flashcards

In a cargo damage survey involving a container that was dropped during crane operations, which party is most likely to bear primary liability?

Answer: The terminal operator or stevedore responsible for the crane operation

The terminal operator or stevedore is typically responsible for stevedoring operations and would bear primary liability for crane drops that damage cargo.

What is the significance of the 'Himalaya clause' in a bill of lading?

Answer: It extends the carrier's liability limitations and defenses to servants, agents, and subcontractors

The Himalaya clause extends the carrier's Hague-Visby protections to stevedores, agents, and subcontractors, preventing cargo claimants from bypassing package limitations.

A surveyor is asked to perform a condition survey of timber deck cargo after a voyage with heavy weather. What specific damage type should be prioritized in the inspection?

Answer: Securing failure, breakage of lashings, and wetting/saltwater spray damage to the timber surface

Deck timber cargo in heavy weather is most at risk from lashing failure causing cargo shift and saltwater wetting, which are the primary surveyable damage modes.

Which method is most accurate for determining the weight of bulk grain loaded onto a vessel when shore scales are unavailable?

Answer: Draft survey using displacement tables and trim correction

A draft survey measures the vessel's displacement before and after loading; the difference, corrected for trim and density, gives the cargo weight with acceptable accuracy.

What does 'average' mean in the context of marine cargo insurance?

Answer: A partial loss of or damage to the insured cargo or vessel

In marine insurance terminology, 'average' refers to a partial loss, distinguishing between 'particular average' (affecting one party) and 'general average' (shared loss).

A cargo surveyor is assessing damage to a shipment of bagged cement that arrived with torn bags. The surveyor should determine whether the damage occurred:

Answer: Prior to loading, during transit, or during discharge by examining bag tears, moisture ingress patterns, and stowage position

Determining the stage at which damage occurred requires analyzing physical evidence including tear patterns, moisture distribution, and cargo position within the stow.

Under General Average, which of the following would typically qualify as a general average sacrifice?

Answer: Jettisoning cargo to refloat a vessel that has grounded, saving the ship and remaining cargo

General average applies to voluntary sacrifices made in an emergency to save the common maritime venture; jettisoning cargo to refloat a grounded vessel is a classic example.