Container seal broken, cargo stolen.

This is to inform you that today, on June 17th, 2012 at 10.00 my Second Mate inspecting the cargo in Hold 3 found that container SU/MMF 123245673 under B/L 5 had been broached and part of cargo of woolen shawls was missing. It is evidently a case of pilferage by the stevedores working in the hold, as prior to commencement of discharging a cargo survey had been carried out and all the seals on the containers had been found intact.

A copy of the survey report is enclosed herewith. On my orders, the container has been detained on board for a damage survey and retallying the cargo.

I kindly ask you to invite an independent surveyor for drawing up the report, I give you a formal notice hereby that I hold you fully responsible for all losses arising therefrom and ask you to take necessary action.

 

 

21. Dear Sirs,

In compliance with my Owner’s instructions and in order to achieve the payment of all accounts within the shortest limits of time and also for our files you are kindly requested to hand me over the vouchers covering all expences sustained by my vessel in your port for the acceptance prior to the ship’s sailing.

 

A copy of each such document should be attached for my perusal as well. AShould your goodselves be unable for any reason fully to comply with the above please inform me writing what the additional expenses and amounts are.

Thank you in advance.

Yours faithfully

 

Master of the m/v ….

22. Dear Sirs,

In compliance with the established custom in your port I would kindly request you to employ for our account tallymen of local Company to keep the tally.

Yourth faithfully, ……

 

 

23.

Dear Sirs,

Please make arrangements with the stevedoring Company for overtime works from….. till midnight …. th and … th inst in holds Nos….

Extra cost of stevedores and extra expenses to be for the ship’s account (to be equally shared between the Consignees and Shipowner).

Yours faithfully, ….

 

24. Dear Sirs,

I wish to bring to your attention the fact that the rate at which the cargo is being discharged is very slow and my vessel is already on demurrage.

Please make necessary arrangements for a quiker discharging and inform all concerned.

Yours faithfully, …

 

25. Dear Sirs

Please note that the covers of packed steel sheets loaded in No … lower hold aft part are rusted and most of the bands broken. The Mate’s receipt for this particular lot will be claused accordingly. The cover of steel package no … is very badly damaged and the contents exposed.

Kindly have the cover renewed and inform the authorities concerned.

Yours faithfully, …

 

26. Dear Sirs,

I have to draw your attention to the fact that as a result of negligent and careless handling of the cargo by stevedores some damage was caused to the cargo during discharging.

Contrary to the correct practice of discharging from corners of a hold, bags had been stowed on slings, in corners and then dragged along the floor all the way through until lifted. Most bags turned out to be considerably torn and dirted, their contents partly spilled.

In view of the above I have to attribute all losses incurred hereupon to the stevedoring company of which please take due note.

Yours faithfully, …

 

27. Dear Sirs,

 

I have to draw your attention to the fact that owing to the negligent and careless handling of the cargo by stevedores much damage has been caused to the goods. Due to improper slining several boxes dropped from the slings and were totally broken.

As a result of inadmissible use of hooks a number of bags of cargo were badly torn and considerable leakage and loss ensued.

In the circumstances I have to make an official statement to the effect that my m/v “…” has brought the cargo in good order and condition and that I shall bear no responsibility for any claims in connection with the above mentioned damage which was caused to the goods in the course of such inefficient discharging.

At the same time I hold the Stevedoring Company … responsible for the damage caused and for all the consequences which may arise therefrom, of which I kindly request you to advise the said Stevedoring Company, Consignees and all concerned.

Yours faithfully, …

 

28. Dear Sirs,

The following damage has been caused to my ship by the stevedores for which I hold them fully responsible.

1. Hold No 2. Lower hold after part ladder platform damaged, three ladder rungs bent.

2. Hold No 3. Lower hold pipe guards damaged.

3. Hold No 4. Hand railings bent 2 metres.

4. On the main deck, railing in way of hold No 1 damaged for a length of about 3 metres.

Kindlyhave the damage repaired before the completion of discharging.

Yours faithfully, …

 

29. Deare Sirs,

Please be advised that on completion of discharging the m/v “… “ the shortage of … sets of … under B/L No … has been found.

This is to declare that the cargo … was delivered in full cvompliance with the quantity shown in the B/L and the shortage took place owing to the miscalculation of your tallymen.

Under present circumstances please arrange rechecking of the said cargo inside the warehouse and also during the delivery of it to the consignees.

Please inform me and the shipowner of the result of rechecking and accordingly rectify the outturn-report.

Yours faithfully, …

 

30. Port of …

To Notary/ Consul

“ …” ….. 2012

I … Master of the ship … of … Register, Official No … and … Gross Register Tons, which sailed from … on the … 2012 bound for … and arrived at …(port) … on the … day of … and fearing that notwithstanding all measures of good seamanship taken by me and my crew some loss or damage might be caused to the said ship or her appurtence of cargo or some other property on board by reason of…

I hereby note my protest against any claims by all persons or person whom it shall or may concern, and declare that all and every damage and loss sustained by the said ship and/or cargo, or some other property on board in consequence of the accident aforesaid, are and shall be borne by those who, according to the laws and customs of the sea shall bear the consequences thereof, the same having occurred as above-stated not by or through the want of care of myself or my crew.

I reserve the right to extend the same at time and place convenient.

Master of the “…”

Signed…

Witnesses:

1. … Second mate

2. … First Assistant Engineer

3. … Able seaman

 

 

Topics for discussion

 

Oral presentation 1

Single letter codes.

A Alpha - I have a diver down; keep well clear at low speed.

B Bravo - I am taking in, or discharging or carrying dangerous goods.

C Charlie - Yes (affirmative or "the significance of the previous group should be read in the affirmative").

D Delta - Keep clear of me, I am manoeuvring with difficulty.

E Echo - I am altering my course to starboard.

F Foxtrot - I am disabled; communicate with me.

G Golf - I require a pilot. When made by a fishing vessel operating in close proximity to the fishing grounds: "I am hauling nets."

H Hotel - I have a pilot on board.

I India - I am altering my course to port.

J Juliet - I am on fire and have dangerous cargo on board; keep well clear of me.

K Kilo - I wish to communicate with you.

L Lima- You should stop your vessel instantly.

M Mike- My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water.

N November - No (negative or "the significance of the previous group should be read in the negative"). This signal may be given only visually or by sound. For voice or radio transmission the signal should be "no" in response to a preceding signal).

O Oscar - Man overboard.

P Papa - [in harbour] All persons should report aboard as the vessel is about to proceed to sea.

- [at sea] It may be used by fishing vessels to mean "my nets have come fast upon an obstruction".

Q Quebec - My vessel is "healthy" and I request free pratique.

R Romeo - Single letter code R has no allocated meaning.

S Sierra - My engines are going astern.

T Tango - Keep clear of me; I am engaged in pair trawling.

U Uniform - You are running into danger.

V Victor - I require assistance.

W Whisky - I require medical assistance.

X X-ray - Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals.

Y Yankee - I am dragging my anchor.

Z Zulu - I require a tug.When made by a fishing vessel operating in close proximity to the fishing grounds: "I am shooting nets."