II. Change from direct into indirect speech using the models.

 

Model 1: He said, "Please send a diver to examine the rudder."

 

He asked to send a diver to examine the rudder.

 

1. They said, "Please replace these tubes by new ones." 2. We said, "Please clean the boiler of soot." 3. He said, Please chip off the rust." 4. The engineer said, "Please weld this crack." 5. They said, "Please roll in the ends of these tubes."

 

 

Model 2: They said to us, "Don't worry about that."

 

They asked us not to worry about that.

 

1. They said to us, "Don't paint the bottom with that paint." 2. He said to me, "Don't replace these tubes by new ones." 3. The chief engineer said, "Don't use steel for these rings." 4. He said, "Don't make the rings of that size any more." 5. We said to him, "Don't start chipping off the rust until they come."

 

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III. Listen to the short dialogues, repeat each sentence during the pauses and learn the dialogues by heart:

"What are the scantlings?"

 

"I can't tell exactly. Approximate length, 1500 mm: breadth, about 900 mm; and height, some 750 mm."

 

***

 

"We want to have some repairs done to our engine." "What kind of repairs?"

"Some tubes to be replaced and rolled in, some valves to be replaced and tested, some welding work to be done."

"We could do it, if you like. But we must have more exact data." "That's natural, here is a list of repairs to be done."

 

IV. Listen to each of the long dialogues again and retell briefly their contents from the point of view of: (a) one speaker, (b) the other speak er, (c) an onlooker.

 

Make your partner ask you about some details which you missed.

 

V. Write the dictation:

 

In the course of time the underwater part of a ship gets covered with sea growth. This growth reduces greatly ships' propulsive efficiency. To remove the growth, ships are periodically dry-docked. Dry docks are used when repairs to a ship's hull, propeller or rudder are required. The dockmaster must be informed about all the ship's dimensions and characteristics so that he can fix adequate keel blocks to receive the ship. When being docked, a careful examination of the ship's bottom should be undertaken. The dock and ship engineers should examine the rudder, propeller, stern tube, sea valves and sea connections. If necessary, the ship's bottom should be cleaned and coated with anticorrosive and anti-fouling paints. During dry-docking some precautions should be observed. For example, no

 

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free liquid surface in tanks should be allowed. The vessel should be trimmed to an even keel. No weights or cargo should be shifted aboard. All drains and discharge pipes should be shut off. The fire line should be connected to shore hydrants. After docking sea trials are carried out. During the trials possible leaks are checked and eliminated. The engines, rudder, propeller and propeller shaft are tested for proper operation. Repairs which do not necessitate placing the ship in a dry dock are carried out when the ship is afloat.

 

 

VI. Practise in pairs enacting the following situations. You act as the ship's agent, your partner — as the dockmaster. Then you change your parts:

(a) You have to dry-dock your vessel. You are discussing with the dockmaster the repairs that should be made to the ship. You want to have your ship's hull examined, cleaned, coated, painted and, if necessary, welded in some places. The dockmaster is interested to know the dimensions of your vessel and whether it is necessary to make repairs to the propeller and rudder. You express your apprehension that the rudder might have been damaged when you contacted an ice-floe during your voyage.

 

(b) You have brought a repair list and some drawings to the dockmaster. You are explaining him that you need some urgent repairs to be done to your engine. These repairs involve casting and machining of some broken parts as well as weld ing some cracks in the cylinders. The dockmaster is very carefully looking through your repair list and asks you the cause of some damages.

 

 

VII. Translate into English:

 

Нам придется поставить судно в сухой док. Во-первых, необходимо снять обрастание подводной части судна. Нам нужно будет починить и покрасить днище антикоррозийной и патентной краской. Во-вторых, нужно будет произвести осмотр днища, руля и винта. Возможно, что потребуется некоторый ремонт. Дело в том, что в этом рейсе мы заметили, что вибрация судна несколько увеличилась. Может быть, это связано с тем, что во время

 

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рейса мы слегка коснулись корпусом какого-то подводного препятствия. Во всяком случае надо будет все внимательно осмотреть. Заодно придется проверить и лопасти винта. Может быть, нужно будет их отрихтовать. В носовом отсеке появилась небольшая течь; нужно будет ее устранить. Поскольку мы собираемся стать в сухой док, я думаю, что нам следует произвести заодно и другой второстепенный ремонт. Нам потребуются небольшие сварочные работы и мелкое литье с механической обработкой. Нам нужно заменить и развальцевать несколько двухдюймовых труб, отлить и обработать несколько цилиндровых втулок и поршневых колец. Нам понадобятся два-три поршня к этим втулкам. Нужно будет перезалить баббитом и расточить подшипники. Рабочие чертежи, точные размеры и спецификацию материалов мы, конечно, вам дадим.

 

 

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LESSON 16

 

CARGO CLAIMS

 

Words and Word Combinations

 

claim иск, претензия party сторона (юр.)

to violate; violation грубо нарушать; грубое нарушение law закон

regulations правила

 

to infringe нарушать to set forth излагать

amicable settlements дружеское, полюбовное урегулирование (спора,

 

разногласий)

 

dispute спор, разногласие mutual взаимный, обоюдный

 

to refer направлять; передавать на рассмотрение (юр.), ссылаться (на

 

кого-л., что-л.)

 

award арбитражное решение (юр.) arbitrator арбитр, третейский судья

short delivery недостача, нехватка при сдаче non-payment неуплата

calculation калькуляция, расчет erroneous ошибочный

to establish учреждать, устанавливать

 

to result являться результатом, происходить в результате, проистекать juridical юридический

general (particular) average общая (частная) авария (страх.) force-majeure форс-мажор, непреодолимые силы природы (юр.) value стоимость, цена, ценность

 

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loss потеря, убыток, утрата

 

to jettison выбрасывать груз за борт (для спасения судна) to insure застраховывать, страховать

average adjuster диспашер (страх.) averade statement диспаша (страх.)

average bond аварийная подписка, аварийная гарантия evident очевидный, ясный, явный

sea protest морской протест (юр.)

 

notary public (тж. public notary) нотариус

 

testimony показание, доказательство, свидетельство (юр.) sworn testimony показание под присягой

to substantiate подкреплять доказательствами, приводить достаточные доказательства

to reserve оговаривать, делать оговорку (в документах) to acquaint smb with smth ознакомить кого-л. с чем-л. communication связь, сообщение

 

unless если ... не

 

overtime сверхурочное время to contradict противоречить common sense здравый смысл

 

otherwise иначе, в противном случае

 

demurrage простой (судна), плата за простой (судна) to type печатать на машинке

to deny отрицать, отказываться

 

to encounter сталкиваться, (неожиданно) встретиться list крен судна

draft проект, набросок, черновик opinion мнение

to enclose прилагать, вкладывать (в письмо, посылку)

 

to regard рассматривать, считать, принимать во внимание

 

 

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to extinguish тушить, гасить to put out тушить, гасить steam-jet паротушитель

 

to be willing to do smth быть согласным, согласиться сделать что-л.

 

Expressions

 

to settle a dispute (a claim) урегулировать разногласия (претензии) to go to law подать в суд, начать судебный процесс

to resort to law обратиться (прибегнуть) к закону

 

(party) of the first part с одной стороны (обычная редакция в юридич. документах)

(party) of the second part с другой стороны (обычная редакция в

 

юридич. документах)

 

to decide a dispute разрешить спор, разногласия the claim is made against иск обращен к

 

this clause exempts us from liability этот пункт освобождает нас от

 

ответственности

 

to sustain damage or loss понести ущерб или убыток to bear in mind помнить, иметь в виду

the loss is borne by both parties = both parties bear the loss убыток

 

несут обе стороны

 

to slip the cable обрубить якорь-цепь

 

to run the ship ashore выбросить судно на берег to note a Sea Protest заявить морской протест

to call in a surveyor (experts, witnesses) вызвать инспектора (экспертов,

 

свидетелей)

 

to hold a survey on производить осмотр, обследование чего-л.

 

to hold someone responsible for считать кого-л. ответственным за to repudiate the claim не признавать иска, отвергать претензии

 

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the ship was rolling and pitching судно испытывало бортовую и

 

килевую качку

 

the vessel was shipping water fore (aft) судно принимало воду

 

(зарывалось) носом (кормой)

 

the fire was gaining rapidly пожар быстро распространялся

 

That can't possibly be so! Этого не может быть!

 

It was through no fault of ours. Это произошло не по нашей вине.

 

TEXT

 

Claims usually arise between the contracting parties when one of them considers the other party to have violated some laws or regulations or infringed the conditions of some contract or agreement, which set forth their rights and protect their interests.

Claims are settled in different ways. In some cases, the parties agree on an amicable settlement of their dispute. Through exchange of letters or by personal contact the parties come to a mutual understanding and agreement. Sometimes, when the parties cannot agree on some question, they refer their dispute to the decision or "award" as it is mostly called, of an arbitrator. Arbitration is a method of settling commercial disputes without having to resort to law. In other cases, when the parties do not see any way to agreement, they decide to go to law and it is only the court decision that puts an end to their dispute.

 

In marine practice, claims may arise in connection with short delivery of goods or damage to cargo, in connection with non-payment of money or non-fulfilment of some clauses of contracts, in connection with a wrong calculation or an erroneous charging of some expenses, and in connection with many other matters.

 

To settle disputes between shippers or charterers of the first part and shipowners of the second part, a special Maritime Arbitration Commission has been established at the All-Union Chamber of Commerce & Industry. This

 

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Commission decides disputes with regard to charter parties, contracts of carriage and marine insurance, arbitration agreements for cases of collision and salvage contracts.

 

Whenever claims are made against the ship, the master should be careful to see if there are any clauses in the Charter Party or Bill of Lading exempting the vessel from such liabilities. If any legitimate claims arise, it is always advisable, if possible, to settle them before the ship leaves the port.

To avoid claims about loss or damage to goods, shipmasters should observe the terms and conditions of the contract of carriage. Of course, damage to goods may sometimes result from causes which are beyond the carrier's control: a ship may meet with casualty and both the ship and the cargo sustain damage or loss. Under all the circumstances the master of a ship must bear in mind the juridical side of the question and fulfil the necessary formalities which are required of him. In maritime insurance the term "average" means a loss. There are two kinds of average: "general average" and "particular average."

Under general average the loss is borne by all parties concerned in the adventure and in direct proportion to their several interests. In other words the loss is divided among the shippers, the receivers and the shipowners proportional to the values of goods, ship and freight. It is very important to understand what is meant by the term "loss" in this instance. This loss derives from a voluntary and deliberate sacrifice of one or more of the parties' goods with a view to saving the remainder of the property such as, for example:

 

slipping cables and anchors to avoid any approaching peril;

 

running the ship ashore for the preservation of either the ship or cargo; jettisoning cargo in order to lighten the vessel, or to prevent fire from

spreading and many other cases.

 

The loss sustained under particular average is borne by the actual owners of the property lost or damaged, if uninsured, but by the underwriters if the property is insured.

 

Trie general average is settled in accordance with the York-Antwerp Rules.

 

 

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In case of the general average a shipmaster or the shipowners are under duty to appoint an average adjuster who is to prepare an average statement and to draw up and settle all claims falling under general average. A shipmaster is also obliged, before delivering the cargo, to insist on the consignees signing average bonds.

In every case of an evident or suspected damage to goods during the voyage, the shipmaster is to note a Sea Protest. He is to note a Sea Protest within 24 hours of arrival and before breaking bulk. The protest is made before a notary public or the consul, or before a magistrate or other local authority. The sworn testimony of the master and other witnesses must be substantiated by the entries in the log book. For this purpose extracts from the log book should be taken and produced. As a rule, the harbour master makes an official announcement for the information of all concerned about the protest declared.

After the protest has been noted, the shipmaster must call in a surveyor to hold a survey on hatches. The ship-master must also acquaint the receivers of the cargo with this fact so that they may also appoint a surveyor if they wish. The receivers must be notified by the master in writing. The hatches then should be opened in the presence of the surveyor to prove that they had been properly battened down and covered before the voyage. This is very important as the ship is cleared from responsibility for the damage if the surveyor's report states that the hatches were properly covered and secured and the cargo was properly dunnaged and stowed. A copy of the surveyor's report should be retained on the ship for further reference.

 

 

DIALOGUES

 

1

 

CAPTAIN. Can you tell me, Mr Watson, what is the matter with the Charterers? At 11 a. m. they loaded the last few lorries of cotton and then everybody has gone away. The work has stopped. Are they going to supply any more cargo at all?

 

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AGENT. Well, I've just come to tell you about that business. They rang me up half an hour ago. The fact is that they have no more cotton here, in town, and cannot get supplies from the country because of the flood.

 

CAPTAIN. I am glad you told me that, but I don't know what to do with these people. We are already two days late and I have to proceed on my voyage tomorrow at 5 p. m.

 

AGENT. They told me they were very sorry, but they couldn't help it. The communication with that region will be restored not earlier than in a fortnight.

CAPTAIN. We might have taken another 1200 tons to complete the charter amount. I'll have to make a claim against that firm for dead freight.

AGENT. It cannot be avoided, can it?

 

CAPTAIN. Certainly not, it's stipulated in the charter party. I want you to deliver an official letter to this firm. It's to the effect that unless they supply full cargo tomorrow by 5 p. m. I'll proceed on my voyage underloaded and I shall hold them responsible for the dead freight.

 

 

2

 

AGENT. I've got an official letter from Messrs Thomson & Co. They claim that according to the customs of the port overtime for loading at night must be paid by the shipowners.

 

CAPTAIN. That can't possibly be so. It contradicts the terms of the C/P and common sense, too. The work is done in the interests of the shippers, as otherwise they would have to pay a lot of money for demurrage. Besides, it is clearly stated in the remark under Clause 12 of the charter party.

AGENT. They allege that in their copy of the C/P the remark also reads: "overtime to be paid by shipowners".

CAPTAIN. There must be some misunderstanding then. Just have a look at my copy of the charter party. See, it is really said here that overtime is to be paid by shipowners, but on the next line is typed "for the shipper's account". I don't know, maybe that last line is missing in their copy, but still business is business.

 

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They have to pay.

 

AGENT. I think I see now what they mean. They are not prepared now to pay the money for overtime, but they don't decline the payment of these expenses. The fault is mine. I had to pay the overtime on your behalf and debit this amount to their account.

CAPTAIN. That's it. Now, you'll have to repudiate their claim and explain to them how things stand.

AGENT. Certainly, I'll do that.

 

3

 

CAPTAIN. We encountered very heavy weather in the Bay of Biscay. I am afraid the cargo might have been damaged because of shifting.

AGENT. Are you going to note a protest? CAPTAIN. Well, I think I'll have to.

 

AGENT. What are the formal grounds for this protest?

 

CAPTAIN. Why, there was a very heavy storm in the Bay of Biscay. AGENT. What was the wind force?

CAPTAIN. The wind force was 10-11 on the Beaufort Scale. The ship was rolling and pitching most heavily.

AGENT. What was the ship's list?

 

CAPTAIN. The ship's list was as much as 30" at times. The vessel was shipping water fore and aft.

AGENT. Was the cargo securely lashed?

 

CAPTAIN. Of course, we took all precautions, but still 1 fear some damage might have been caused through the stress of weather.

AGENT. Have you made a draft of the sea protest?

 

CAPTAIN. Yes, certainly. I want you to go through this draft protest and state your opinion.

AGENT. Let me see it, please. Well, from the formal point of view the protest is good. By the way, you write here that the heavy weights in Hold No. 2

 

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were properly lashed. How can you substantiate this fact?

 

CAPTAIN. You see, I enclose an extract from the ship's cargo book in which we usually enter all the details of stowing the goods. In the entry dated 17th last month, the fact of a proper lashing of the goods was clearly stated.

 

AGENT. I am not sure whether the public notary or court will regard this cargo book as an official document, but, to my mind, this extract will work.

CAPTAIN. So far as you approve my draft, could you have this protest typed?

AGENT. Yes, I'll have it typed immediately I return to my office. CAPTAIN. I should like to have it handed over to the Notary Public and

duly lodged today. Would you mind my calling at your office in a couple of hours? We could go then directly to the Notary Office and have it lodged.

AGENT. Oh, you're welcome. I'll send a motor car for you by 7 p. m. CAPTAIN. That's settled then. Now, what about a surveyor? I want him to

hold a survey on hatches. Of course, I want you also to take part in drawing up the statement.

 

AGENT. I think I can manage that. I'll ring up the surveyor to come tomorrow. But you write a notice to the receivers at once, asking them if they want to send their surveyor too.

 

CAPTAIN. Will that notice reach them in time?

 

AGENT. It doesn't matter after all. I'll ring them up too and tell them that the written notice will follow. You just begin your letter with the words: "To confirm our telephone call on you..."

 

CAPTAIN. That's good idea, indeed. Thank you. Will you be so kind as to have this letter worded and typed in your office so that I may sign it when I call on you today?

 

AGENT. All right, I'll see to that.

 

4

 

AGENT. We got your radiogram, sir, that you sustained a heavy loss.

 

 

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CAPTAIN. Yes, we had bad luck this time. We met with a casualty. The ship was on fire.

AGENT. How did it happen?

 

CAPTAIN. We had cotton in Hold No. 2. Some of the bales in the upper tiers ignited of themselves. We did our best to extinguish the fire. When we opened the hatch, the fire was gaining rapidly all over the upper tiers. We were lucky that the weather was absolutely calm, no wind at all. We tried to extinguish the fire with steam jets and succeeded in putting out the open flames. But the bales were still smoking heavily.

AGENT. So, what did you decide to do then?

 

CAPTAIN. Well, I could not risk the ship and the rest of the cargo. So I ordered to jettison a couple of upper tiers of bales. Then we closed the hatch tightly and filled the hold with carbon dioxide.

 

AGENT. I think that was the only way out. So you declared the general average, didn't you?

CAPTAIN. Well, I sent a radiogram to my owners asking them to appoint an average adjuster. Then I prepared the Sea Protest which I would like you to look through.

 

AGENT. Very well, I'll go through your draft right away. What about a survey?

CAPTAIN. A survey must by held in due course. I would ask you kindly to arrange for a surveyor to come tomorrow morning.

AGENT. Suppose he would come by 11.30 a.m. Would that do? CAPTAIN. Yes, it suits me all right. Let him come at that time.

 

AGENT. It suits me too. I must say I am rather busy in the morning and I could not possibly come before that time.

CAPTAIN. So the time suits everybody, let's say no more about that. Now, I want to tell you about the average bonds. Will you be good enough to inform all the receivers that they will be required to sign the average bonds?

 

AGENT. All right. I'll let everybody know about that today. As soon as I get

 

 

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a copy of the cargo manifest from you, I'll have all the blank forms filled up in advance.

 

LABORATORY EXERCISES

 

1. Listen to the text of the lesson again and answer the following questions;

1. When do claims usually arise? 2. Which is the best way of settling disputes? 3. To whom may the parties refer their dispute for settlement? 4. In what connection may claims arise in marine practice? 5. What disputes does the Maritime Arbitration Commission decide? 6. What should captains do to avoid claims against the ship? 7. How is the loss divided under general average? 8. What voluntary and deliberate actions are regarded as general average? 9. Who bears the loss under particular average? 10. In accordance with what rules is general average settled? 11. What are the duties of an average adjuster? 12. In what case and by whom are average bonds signed? 13. In what case is a sea protest noted? 14. By what should a sea protest be substantiated? 15. Who is to hold a survey on hatches?

 

 

II. Change from direct into indirect speech using the models.

 

Model 1: He asked me, "Are you sure ot that?"