Always verify the condition of the sounding tape. Sounding tapes could be tampered with in many ways:
- Deliberate altering of sounding tapes and using wrong size of bobs
- Sounding bobs from tapes that have been switched over
- Cutting the tape and re-joining resulting in non-lineartape
Key Notes:
- Check for calibration certificate for the gauging equipment in use
- Use a ruler to ascertain the precise sounding/ullage when below the 20 cm mark
- Use own sounding / ullage tapes
- Pay particular attention to 'millimeter' soundings especially when the tanks are full and taking ullages as small errors will have a big impact on the total bunker quantity.
- Remember whenever in doubt or have concerns always issue a letter of protest
