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RightShip Guide

THE DEEPDRAFT · RIGHTSHIP PREPARATION

Portable atmosphere-testing instruments

RISQ 4.16Section 4 · ISM SystemSource marking: V & M

Applicability: All vessel types; apply the equipment and operational conditions stated in this entry.

What is being checked

Suitable gas instruments are maintained and officers can use them correctly.

Ready on board

0 / 7 checked

Check the vessel’s actual procedures, equipment and records against these points from RISQ 3.2.

Have pre-entry remote-sampling instruments with pump/hose covering oxygen, flammability (% LFL), CO and H2S; the PDF specifies 10-hour continuous operation and IP67 protection.Match additional gas detection, including CO2, to current/previous cargo, shipper information, SDS and relevant cargo codes. Instruments must work correctly in oxygen-depleted atmospheres.Keep maker instructions, calibration and test evidence; officers can distinguish a bump/function check, quantitative calibration check and full calibration adjustment.Have at least two sets for enclosed-space testing as stated in the source. For cargoes producing hazardous vapours with regular hold entry for cleaning/inspection, the source calls for two additional sets.RightShip recommends at least two portable detectors with built-in sampling pumps. A manual aspiration pump is acceptable only when maker-supplied with model-specific instructions giving the strokes needed to purge the line and obtain a representative sample.Demonstrate representative testing at necessary levels/areas before entry and at regular intervals during work; account for stratification, remote corners, hose purge and inaccessible sampling areas.Do not use a personal alarm-only monitor for pre-entry testing unless it has certified/approved remote-reading capability.

Practice questions

Preparation prompts derived from this entry, not an official inspector interview script.

1Does a bump test prove instrument accuracy?

No. It demonstrates sensor/alarm function; the source distinguishes it from a quantitative calibration check and adjustment.

2Can a manual hand pump be used?

Only with the manufacturer-supplied pump and explicit model-specific purge/sampling stroke instructions described in the PDF.

Where a finding may arise

Missing evidence, ineffective implementation or defects in the arrangements listed above may prevent a satisfactory answer to this question.

Past observations for practice

Anonymised reports, manually reviewed before publication. These are reported experiences, not additional inspection requirements.

No reviewed observations have been added for this entry.

Share an observation for private review

Remove vessel, company and inspector names, report numbers, exact dates and confidential information. Do not paste a complete inspection report.

References and source status

RightShip Inspection Ship Questionnaire, November 2025, version 3.2. Section 4, page 53–54, reference 4.16.

The explanation, checklist and practice answer derive from the supplied questionnaire. Reported observations are separately contributed and manually reviewed; they are not official RISQ guidance.

Independent DeepDraft preparation guide, based on the supplied RISQ 3.2 questionnaire. Not an official RightShip product or inspection report.