Leaks can be the most dangerous thing in any commercial or non commercial place and if we consider the shipping industry, then it will be the deadliest thing for a ship. It does not matter if a leak is a small one or a big one, the catastrophe caused by it will always leave a bad mark on your memory. The shipping industry is one of the worst affected industries which is in a constant battle with leaks. Due to its nature of work, which obviously requires being in contact with water throughout the time, the ship’s hatch covers start leaking.

It is impossible to let a leak to form especially on a transport ship which goes through a very rough use almost daily. But leaks are curable and they can be refilled though various processes and to cure the ship from leaks it is important to know the exact location of a leak first. Finding a leak can be the most arduous task if you are trying to do it manually. But with the checking tightness of hatch with ultrasound it can become one of the easiest tasks done in the process of applying repairs to a ship. The process is simple and easily doable by any person as long as he can hear.

The process involves an ultrasonic hatch cover tester and the will to find to the leaks in the shortest time possible. The hatch cover tester comes as a kit consisting of a device, a generator, a receiver and a headphone set. You might have to purchase batteries on your own as some of the devices come without them. Now take everything out of the box and (after you place the batteries in the generator and the device), attach the receiver and the headphone to the device. Now turn on the generator which is another device like thing you will have in the kit and place it inside the cargo hold and close the hatch covers firmly.

Now you begin the hatch cover ultrasonic tightness testing by scanning the entire hatch covers with the receiver and the headphones placed on your ears. It should be silent as you place it over your ears. Wherever you hear the slightest beep or a pulse of the ultrasonic sound waves, mark that area because this is where the hole is and the ultrasonic wave is leaking from that point. Scan the entire area and some more around it with the hatch cover tester and mark every area you get to hear the sound. Once you have marked all the leaks it’s time to put back the tester and its accessories in the kit and call in the repairmen.