SAMS Cargo Surveyors 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When assessing damage to a cargo of cocoa beans that arrived wet, which test is most useful to determine the extent of internal moisture penetration?
- Cut test (cross-section examination of individual beans) (Correct answer)
- Spectrometric analysis of bean surface
- Float test in fresh water
- pH surface test
Correct answer: Cut test (cross-section examination of individual beans)
The cut test involves slicing beans to reveal internal color and texture changes, indicating whether moisture damage has penetrated beyond the surface.
Question 2: What is 'inherent vice' in the context of cargo surveying?
- A natural characteristic of cargo that makes it prone to deterioration independent of external causes (Correct answer)
- A hidden defect in the vessel's cargo hold structure
- Deliberate damage inflicted by stevedores
- Contamination from adjacent cargo
Correct answer: A natural characteristic of cargo that makes it prone to deterioration independent of external causes
Inherent vice refers to cargo's own natural tendency to deteriorate, such as fruit ripening or iron oxidizing, which can relieve the carrier of liability.
Question 3: A cargo of soybeans is found to be heating in a ship's hold during transit. What is the most likely cause?
- Excessive moisture content allowing biological activity and fermentation (Correct answer)
- Radiation from the ship's radar system
- Chemical reaction with paint from the hold ceiling
- Proximity to the engine room bulkhead only
Correct answer: Excessive moisture content allowing biological activity and fermentation
Soybeans with moisture content above safe limits undergo biological activity and fermentation, generating heat and causing cargo deterioration.
Question 4: Which international convention specifically addresses the carriage of dangerous goods by sea?
- IMDG Code (International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code) (Correct answer)
- SOLAS Chapter II-2
- MARPOL Annex III
- ISM Code
Correct answer: IMDG Code (International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code)
The IMDG Code provides comprehensive international regulations for packaging, labeling, documentation, and stowage of dangerous goods transported by sea.
Question 5: During a pre-loading survey of a general cargo vessel, a surveyor finds previous cargo residue (animal feed) in a hold scheduled to load coffee. What action is required?
- Require the hold to be thoroughly cleaned and inspected before loading commences (Correct answer)
- Issue a conditional cargo receipt noting the contamination risk
- Accept the condition if the feed residue is dry
- Notify the coffee shipper and proceed with loading if they consent
Correct answer: Require the hold to be thoroughly cleaned and inspected before loading commences
Coffee is highly susceptible to odor and flavor contamination; the hold must be thoroughly cleaned and re-inspected to prevent taint damage to the cargo.
Question 6: A 'short-landed' cargo claim occurs when:
- Fewer packages or less weight is discharged than shown on the bill of lading (Correct answer)
- Cargo is delivered to the wrong consignee
- The vessel arrives later than the scheduled port call
- Cargo is damaged during discharge operations
Correct answer: Fewer packages or less weight is discharged than shown on the bill of lading
A short-landed claim arises when the quantity actually discharged is less than the quantity specified in the bill of lading, indicating possible loss during transit.
Question 7: When measuring ullage in a bulk liquid cargo tank, what does ullage represent?
- The distance from the reference point at the top of the tank to the surface of the liquid (Correct answer)
- The total volume of liquid in the tank
- The temperature-corrected weight of the cargo
- The distance from the keel to the bottom of the liquid
Correct answer: The distance from the reference point at the top of the tank to the surface of the liquid
Ullage is the empty space measured from a fixed reference point (typically the top of the tank) down to the liquid surface, used to calculate cargo volume.
SAMS Cargo Surveyors 3
When assessing damage to a cargo of cocoa beans that arrived wet, which test is most useful to determine the extent of internal moisture penetration?