The transport ships of today are highly advanced with many state of the art safety and security systems available in them. They provide a high sense of security to the crew onboard and also to the customers who are sending their goods through them. The thickly built hatch covers are able to keep the insides completely dry and free from all types of leakages. But this simply does not mean that a new transport ship will always remain new. It is a matter of time that the wear and tear makes its joints and hatch covers weak. The scratching and rubbing of the heavy goods and wooden boxes peels off the protective paint.

The scratching and bumping occurs the most around the hatch covers because that’s the area where the mouth or the opening of the cargo holds is. When loading and unloading the bulky and heavy goods, the chains holding them often scratch the area around them. The scratch of the heavy chain easily tears away the paint and sometimes some part of the metal too. But tearing away of the metal can be counted as once in a blue moon. Once the paint has worn off the humid air instantly starts reacting with the metal beneath. Hence in the start small and minute holes appear in the body which is the first reason of leakages. This is the moment when checking the tightness of hatch with ultrasound becomes mandatory.

Checking the tightness of the hatch covers with the ultrasonic leak detector makes repair works easy. It is important to keep the metal intact so that water does not enter the cargo holds. Even the smallest amount of water can easily damage the most precious goods. The sea water is highly salty due to the presence of many minerals in it. There is no guarantee about which element present in the water can damage the metal or paint of the goods inside. And if the goods are electronic or electric items, the mere presence of water can easily create a short circuit causing the goods to become faulty before they are even used.

Some companies that are keen to keep their quality on the top always run a hatch cover ultrasonic tightness testing every time a ship returns from a voyage. This practice helps them keep their ships leak free and as good as new always. Having leak free ships is not only good for keeping your ships on a steady resale price; it is also good for business because the bookers will always contact you when they have something to send. Failing to get a booking with your ship will cause them to go somewhere else and the companies with a bad reputation are always remembered as the last option.