CARGO-SAFE
Ultrasonic Hatch Cover Tester
The choice of marine
surveyors across the globe

ABS TYPE APPROVED - Certificate Number LD750707
ABS Product Design
Assessment Certificate Number 05-LD485608/1-PDA
 ABS
Manufacturing Assessment Certificate Number 06-LD750707-X
ISO
9001:2008 Certificate Number GB13487
IIMS
Corporate Membership Number C508
NCAGE
Number U0B22
The ingress of water through
hatch covers is a main cause of damage to cargo. It is in the interest of ship owners,
managers and insurers to guarantee the cargo hold is watertight, as damaged cargo caused
by water leaking through hatch covers can result in large claims against insurance
companies and P&I clubs. CARGO-SAFE is an ABS Type Approved hatch cover tester.
CARGO-SAFE provides a quick and simple method of establishing weather tightness of hatch
covers, bow, stern and side doors, but unlike hose testing, has no negative side effects
on the port or harbour environment and can be performed in sub zero temperatures.

The CARGO-SAFE hatch leak
detector kit includes:
- Ultrasonic Transmitter unit
- Receiver unit
- Hard hat compatible headphones
- 2 Flexible inspection microphones (1 spare)
- Protective IP66 storm-proof leather cases with neck and waist straps for hands
free operation

- Telescopic microphone extension, up to 1.15m
- Full operating instructions
- Emergency microphone lead
- Emitter, microphone and extension arm tester

- Batteries and global charger (with 12V car adaptor)
- 12-24V auxiliary power input lead

- 450 x 320 x 100mm Carry case
- Total weight of kit in carry case as shown: 2.7kg
- Operational weight 2.4kg
CARGO-SAFE
Features
- Unlike hose testing, ultrasonic testing
- is compliant with port and harbour environment management
plans as it does not pollute the marine environment
- can locate holes and tears in hatch seals with pin point
accuracy
- causes no damage to cargo
- can be conducted in sub-zero temperatures
- can be carried out with the cargo in place
- does not interfere with other crew activities
- Each CARGO-SAFE comes with its own certificate of calibration
and conformity.
- No training needed to operate - full instructions given
- Simple to use, fast and accurate results
- Switchable between dB ( decibels ) and percentage of OHV (
Open Hatch Value )
- Does not need frequent periodic recalibration
- The results are reproducible and accurate
- The size of holes is easily evaluated by the digital read out
- Suitable to be carried as hand luggage on aircraft.
- The most powerful ultrasonic hatch tester available on the
market with a 157 dB Transmitter suitable for any sized hold
- 3 year warranty on Receiver and Transmitter.
- Durable and storm proof, environmental protection to IP66.
- LCD display allows ease of reading in bright sunshine or in
darkness.
- LED and sound warning of low battery life on the Transmitter.
- Direct access to technical support
Hatch Cover
Testing
The weather tightness of a hatch cover sealing system is
dependent on several factors, but the condition of the packing rubber on the compression
bars is an important aspect of maintaining a tight hatch seal.
CARGO-SAFE enables a true and accurate evaluation of their
ability to stay water tight throughout a voyage, by ascertaining potential areas of perish
and wear and providing the opportunity for pro-active maintenance, extending the life and
value of the hatch cover seals.
How the
CARGO-SAFE ultrasonic hatch cover testing equipment works
The principle for ultrasonic testing is very simple. After the
hatch covers are closed, an ultrasonic transmitter, which generates an ultrasonic signal
is placed in the cargo hold (empty or loaded with cargo) and emits ultrasonic waves. The
surveyor or operator then uses the CARGO-SAFE ultrasonic receiver to listen from the
outside of the hold and is able to pick up any ultrasonic sounds that pass through holes
in the hatch cover sealing system with pin point accuracy. The size of the problem can be
established from the strength of the signal detected.

The CARGO-SAFE hatch cover leak detection system has three levels
of emitters upper, lower and vertical. This means that all the ultrasound is directed to
the hatch covers and so optimises its effectiveness. The diagram shows the dispersion
pattern of the ultrasonic sound emanating from the CARGO-SAFE transmitter. The high sound
pressure level is ample to fill the largest of holds enabling reliable and accurate
readings to be taken
Click for a printer friendly .pdf
Step by Step Guide to Hatch Cover Leak Detection

1. The CARGO-SAFE Transmitter is placed in the cargo.
2. On the deck, with the hatches closed, the microphone and headphones
are plugged into the Receiver.
3. The surveyor begins to inspect the hatch, holding the microphone against
the hatch seals. Any gaps through which air or water can pass, will allow the ultrasonic
signal to pass and can be detected.
4. The display on the Receiver will show the decibel level of any
ultrasound leaking through the hatch seals. It can also be heard through the headphones.

5. The flexible microphone and the extension arm allow the position of
any potential leaks to be identified with pin-point accuracy. The size of the problem can
also be established from the strength of the signal detected.
CARGO-SAFE Calibration and
Maintenance
The CARGO-SAFE is sold with a device that can be used to check the emitters, the
inspection microphones, the extension arm and microphone emergency lead (The E.M.EA
Tester). It is recommended that this is done before each survey, to ensure accurate
results.
The CARGO-SAFE is calibrated at the factory and is predicted to stay in calibration
for 5 years. The constant output circuitry guarantees the ultrasonic output of the
Transmitter to be constant over the entire discharge cycle of the batteries, validated by
the green flashing LEDs.
CARGO-SAFE
Certificates and ABS Type Approval Compliance
Each CARGO-SAFE unit is sold with a certificate of calibration and conformity,
giving full details of serial numbers and warranty periods. This certificate is evidence
of each units calibration and ABS Type Approval compliance. CARGO-SAFE complies with
the IACS UR Z.17. directive. The certificate of origin confirms that CARGO-SAFE is
manufactured in the UK.
CARGO-SAFE After Sales Support
Class Instrumentation Limited guarantees the instrument to be free from defects in
materials and workmanship for a period of three years from the date of dispatch for the
Receiver & Transmitter and six months for the accessories. Free technical support is
available throughout the life of the product.
CARGO-SAFE Specifications
CARGO-SAFE is a lightweight ultrasonic system for testing the
water tightness of cargo hatch covers.
The complete system is contained in one carry case for convenient transportation.
Shipping Weight: 4kg Operational Weight:
2.4kg
Transmitter
- Weight: 475g

- Dimensions: 190 x 100 x 60mm (max)
- Output: 157 dB @ 40KHz
- Radio control standby saves battery life when not in use
- Power Supply: 6 x AA rechargeable or alkaline batteries - 4.5 hours of operation
- Storm proof genuine leather case to IP66, designed to protect the unit if dropped
- Neck strap for hands free use
Receiver
- Weight: 350g
- Dimensions: 160 x 100 x 30mm
- Power Supply: 1 x 9vPP3 rechargeable or alkaline battery - 40 hours of operation

- Switchable between dB ( decibels ) and percentage of OHV ( Open Hatch Value )
- Internal loudspeaker - can be used instead of headphones
- Internal microphone can be used in the event of having no microphone
- MAX HOLD capability to record the maximum reading
- Backlight button with ON OFF or auto OFF after 30 seconds
- Storm proof genuine leather case to IP66, designed to protect the unit if dropped
- Neck strap and waist strap for hands free use
- Radio control button to switch the transmitter from standby to ON
Microphone
- Weight: 110g

- Dimensions: 330 x 10mm diameter - small diameter to get into cross joints
- Bright yellow to improve visibility
Extension
Arm
- Weight: 150g

- Dimensions: 390 x 40 x 30mm
- Extended: 1150 x 40 x 30mm
- Wrist strap for hands free use
Headphones
- Weight: 50g
- 3.5mm stereo jack plug (can use stereo or mono headphones)
- Hard hat compatible
Emitter,
Microphone and Extension Arm Tester
- Weight: 17g

- Dimensions: 46 x 31 x 20mm
- Used to check the performance of the emitters, microphone and
extension arm of the CARGO-SAFE before a survey
Spare Microphone and Emergency Lead
- To be used in the event of either the microphone or extension
arm loss
Battery Charger and Batteries
- 12 rechargeable AA batteries
- 2 PP3 9v batteries
- Global battery charger with car adaptor
Emergency Power Lead 
- Offers emergency power to the Transmitter in the event of flat
batteries
- Can accept an external power supply of 9 to 24 volts DC
CARGO-SAFE is a
registered trademark of Class Instrumentation Ltd. (UK)
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