Home News and Resources News Loss Prevention 27 Jan, 2022 Remote Survey Guide for Precautionary Dry Cargo Surveys where Boarding is not Permitted Mark Dunbar Surveys Manager Dean Crossley Head of Loss Prevention Asia The Covid-19 pandemic with the evolution of new variants has continued to exacerbate the difficulties experienced with the arrangement and physical attendance onboard ships for surveyors. Whilst countries' restrictions are varied, the general approach cited by authorities has been to limit or stop the interaction that would usually occur between the parties providing services to a ship.   Download PDF As precautionary cargo surveys are one of the most prevalent types of survey works undertaken during a ship's port call, the implementation of these restrictions can cause significant disruption. To help mitigate the impact, the action points listed below should be followed by the ship’s crew and the protectionary surveyor when the latter has been prevented from physically attending onboard. It assumes, however, that the surveyor will be allowed to attend at the berth and observe cargo as it is being loaded. Surveyor: Pre-Arrival Be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Undergo regular COVID-19 testing protocols (lateral flow and PCR tests) to ensure that the attending surveyor can demonstrate their negative status pre-attendance and during their attendance to the port authorities and terminal operators. Always ascertain and adhere to the port’s regulations. Contact the Master to explain the survey protocol and provide their direct contact details. Request copies of the required ship's certificates. Review the pre-arrival tests and inspections conducted by the ship on the cargo bilge system, ballast tanks, hatch covers, and cargo holds. If necessary, request additional close-up photographs/videos of specific areas as required and highlight areas of concern. Provide information about common issues to look out for during the operations based on local