DAMAGE SURVEY
We perform damages surveys caused to ships that consist of the determination of the origin, investigation of the causes and extent of the damage caused to the ship’s hull and machinery, collisions with infrastructures and beached, calculation of the costs originated by them and the follow up on your subsequent repairs. We also intervene in the damages caused to your cargoes, whether liquid, bulk, containers, ro-ro cargo or general cargo. In this kind of surveys we intervene both by hull and machinery insurers such as P & I Clubs. If cargo damage has occurred or is suspected, the ship master should immediately inform the charterer and the P&I Club.
- Hull and Machinery Underwriters damage Survey
- Protection and Indemnity Clubs (P&I) damage Survey
- Collisions with infrastructures and groundings of vessels.
- Repairs monitoring, advising and settling.
- Vessel damage evaluations.
- Damage to Port facilities.
The main concern is when the receiver refuses to accept delivery of the damaged cargo, resulting in a loss to the vessel. The first aim is to persuade the receiver to accept the cargo. However, this can only be done by agreement between the carrier and the receiver. It is possible that the receiver and the carrier may appoint a joint surveyor to reach an agreement on the extent of damage. However, for ship’s officers, it is vital that the facts are recorded in the appropriate logbook as soon as damage has been discovered.
Before any documentation is handed over, the authority of the ship’s operator is required. The surveyor may also ask for additional documentation, depending upon the nature of the cargo and the trade area.
It must be kept in mind that the carrier must show that the ship has been maintained in a seaworthy condition, that due diligence has been exercised for the safe carriage of the cargo and that any damage to the cargo has been due to circumstances beyond the control of shipboard officers. If these can be proven by documentary evidence a claim can be avoided.