Description
Conduct surveys of vessels, cargo, and marine equipment to assess condition, seaworthiness, and regulatory compliance during loading, carriage, and discharge; perform measurements and calculations, verify stowage and lashing, and report findings to owners, insurers, and authorities.
- • Prepare and submit detailed survey reports with findings and recommendations.
- • Inspect cargo stowage and lashing to ensure securement and stability.
- • Record cargo condition, handling practices, environmental factors, and any issues encountered.
- • Advise ship and terminal crews on safe stowage of hazardous, heavy, and oversized cargoes.
- • Observe loading and discharge to verify compliance with procedures and regulations.
- • Recommend corrective actions for deficiencies or violations found during surveys.
- • Inspect loaded cargo, deck cargo, storage areas, and cargo-handling gear for safety and maintenance needs.
- • Notify crews and agents of special handling, segregation, or temperature requirements.
- • Direct or witness re-stowage, additional lashing, or dunnage as required.
- • Check temperatures and humidity in holds, reefers, and storage areas to protect cargo.
- • Review stability booklets, loading manuals, and cargo plans to confirm limits and securing methods.
- • Read draft marks and perform draft surveys to determine displacement and cargo quantities.
- • Verify placards, markings, and documentation for hazardous materials in accordance with regulations.
- • Assess air draft, beam, and under-keel clearance to ensure safe port and route transit.
- • Calculate tonnage, hold capacities, bunker and ballast quantities, cargo weights, and stability factors.
- • Sound holds, ballast, and fuel tanks using tapes and sounding equipment.
- • Visually inspect hull, machinery, and cargo for damage and document cause, extent, and remedies.
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Supply Chain & Transportation
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
