SAMS Cargo Surveyors 4

Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

The terminal operator or stevedore responsible for the crane operation

Answer

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

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

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

Question 3

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?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

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.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Draft survey using displacement tables and trim correction

Answer

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.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

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

(SAMS) Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors Certified Practice Test

(SAMS) Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors Certified Practice Test

SAMS Cargo Surveyors 4