Disputes, Receipts and Bills of Lading
Goods or packages which are received in unsound condition cannot be delivered in a sound condition and inasmuch as consignees look to their consignments being delivered in the latter condition, it is essential that a careful watch be maintained at all times when loading for any packages which may have been tampered with or are broken, improperly or inadequately protected: leaky, damaged, repaired or spiled casks; torn or stained bags, etc.
Packages that are torn, badly broken, leaking or tampered with should be rejected. If, after satisfactory reconditioning and where necessary, opened to ascertain contents, it is decided to accept them for shipment, the mate’s receipt should always be suitably endorsed – a clean receipt should not be given unless the condition of the package is in all respects identical with its fellow to which exception has not been taken.
Care should be observed to see that any packages for which receipts have been issued and which, for some sound reason, have been sent on shore for reconditioning, are delivered back to the ship.
Mate’s Receipts
These should be carefully drawn up, marked and numbers copies from tally books, not from boat or Charter’s notes, all quantities shown in words and not in figures and particulars of rejected packages shown thereon.If receiving from lighters or boats, receipt should not be issued until after said lighters and boats have been searched.
Disputes should be investigated immediately while a recount may still be possible. Chief officer oil tanker vacancy, where this is not done and other means of arriving at a satisfactory solution are not available the number in dispute should clearly be stated in words on the receipt – the number on which there is agreement being separately shown thus:
“Received onboard seventeen packages; three more in dispute”and not, as sometimes is done thus:
“Received twenty packages, three in dispute”
Simple clear expressions should always be preferred to complex and elaborate phrases.
It should be borne in mind when rejecting (“shutting out”) a cargo or part thereof, that the purpose of the ship is the carriage of cargo and any rash decision may result in serious financial loss to the Shipowner. Careful monitoring of the owners interests is essential, the company should always be consulted and local surveyor’s advice heeded.
