On visiting a ship loading grain, one of the Club's inspectors found that the crew onboard used this system to combat the problem of cargo dust entering the accommodation. The dust clouds produced from such cargoes may present a health hazard and it is wise to prevent it from entering the accommodation block.

Most accommodation hatches/doors can be dogged-down and will provide an air-tight seal, but other doors (particularly bridge doors) may not have dogs and allow the dust particles to get through. When loading this type of cargo, the crew on this particular ship would tape the necessary doors as illustrated in the images (left).

As well as taping the doors, the crew would also ensure a good filter on accommodation block vents.

Click on an image to enlarge.