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Tricks of the Bunker Trade: Tank Soundings to Detect Bunker Fuel Concealment
Verify the condition of the sounding tape and be aware of any deliberate altering of sounding tapes and using the wrong size of bobs.
Always use own sounding tape and a ruler to report exact sounding or ullage especially if it is below the 20 cm mark.
Note down the reference heights / gauge heights of each tank in a note book and check the same against reference height noted by physical measurement of the tanks.
The reference heights will differ if some foul play is involved like blocking the bottom of the sounding pipes with bobs later to be fished out.
In cases like these investigate further and take the entire missing length as "full sounding."
Pay particular attention to 'millimetre' soundings especially when the tanks are full and taking ullages as small errors will have a big impact of the total bunker quantity.
About Petro Inspect and The Bunker Detectives
Petro Inspect, previous known only as The Bunker Detectives, are a dedicated team who primarily help ship charterers' & bunker brokers deal with bunker quantity disputes (which do not fall under P&I cover for charterers'), and also offer an exclusive service to ship charterers' dealing with 'Bad' Bunker dispute claims, such as the supply of contaminated or off- specification bunkers.
The core services provided under the banner of 'Bunker Detective' are 221B Surveys (aka Bunker Detective Surveys), Bunker Stem Surveys (aka Bunker Quantity Surveys - BQS) and Charter On/Off Hire and Condition Surveys, as well as a bunker fuel concealment detection services.
About Kaivan H. Chinoy
A qualified Mercantile Marine Officer with an MSc Degree in "Technical Management of Ship Operations," prior to founding AVA Marine Kaivan spent over 15 years involved in extensive marine operations including vessel navigation, cargo handling, accident investigations, project cargo risk management, and marine cargo surveying.
To contact the editor responsible for this story email us at editor@shipandbunker.com
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