Waterways - Inspection of Cargo

Immediately before entering a port in the U.S., an inspection of any cargo carrying hazardous material within a vessel must be performed. This must be done by the carrier, its agents, and any person with similar job descriptions. Ensure that when you are inspecting a cargo of HAZMAT capable of evolving flammable vapors, any artificial means of illumination must be explosion-proof. There are different requirements for manned vessels, and unmanned and magazine vessels that may be found in §176.39.

Manned Vessels

An inspection of each hold or compartment within manned vessels must be made after stowage is complete and at least once every 24 hours thereafter if the weather permits. However, freight containers or individual barges do not need to be opened. A vessel's hold equipped with smoke or fire detecting systems that have an automatic monitoring capability do not need to be inspected after storage is complete and after periods of heavy weather. An entry must be made in the vessel's deck log book after each inspection of the hazardous materials is performed.

Unmanned Vessels

An inspection of the cargo after stowage has been completed must be made to ensure that stowage has been accomplished properly, and that there are no visible signs of damage to any packages or evidence of heating, leaking, or sifting.

Acceptance of Damaged or Leaking Packages

A carrier must not transport any package that appears to have leaked, shows evidence of functional failure, or is so damaged that its content may escape. Damaged packages may be repaired to the satisfaction of the master of the vessel; however, a package containing radioactive materials (other than low specific activity materials) cannot be repaired or restored.

Repairs Involving Welding, Burning, and Power-Actuated Tools and Appliances

Repairs or work involving welding, burning, or the use of power-actuated tools, which may produce intense heat, must not be performed on any vessel that is carrying explosives or other hazardous materials as cargo on board. Exceptions may be found in §176.54.

Rejections of Shipments in Violation

A carrier must not knowingly transport any hazardous material offered under a false or deceptive name, marking, invoice, shipping paper, or other declaration. See §176.52 for appropriate steps to take if a wrongly marked hazmat is found while in port or during transit.

To learn more about Waterways HAZMAT visit our DOT Waterways HAZMAT Online Training web page.