A 10-month-old capesize bulk carrier had done only four ballast voyages since delivery. During these voyages, there was evidence of seepage of ballast water from ballast hold number three into cargo hold number four. The location of the 'leak' appeared to be at the connection between the corrugated bulkhead between holds three and four and the lower stool, centred about four metres to port of the centre-line. Dye penetrant tests did not reveal a crack in the weld, nevertheless, the management instructed the ship's staff to gouge the weld for about two to three metres and re-weld the connection.
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