Extended Operational and Trade Vocabulary

Marine Surveying Practice and Cargo Inspection glossary

Vocabulary of marine surveying and cargo inspection: abstracts of log and acceptance surveys, accredited surveyor designations such as SAMS, draft-survey marks and air-draft measurement, air-pipe and tank-tightness leak tests, and the on-hire, condition and cargo-quantity inspection methods surveyors apply for owners, charterers and underwriters.

244 defined terms.

A

Abstract of Log: A surveyor-prepared summary of the deck and engine room log entries relevant to a casualty, voyage, or cargo claim, extracted from the official log book for use in evidence.
Acceptance Survey: Inspection on delivery of a newbuild or chartered vessel confirming compliance with contract specifications.
Accredited Marine Surveyor (AMS): The professional designation granted by the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS) in the United States after peer review and examination.
Aft Draft Mark: The painted or welded draft scale at the stern used in draft surveys, normally read at the rudder post or as close to the aft perpendicular as practical.
Air draft: Vertical distance from waterline to highest fixed point of the ship.
Air Pipe Test: A leak detection method that pressurizes a tank through its air pipe and observes for bubbles or pressure drop, used in conjunction with hatch and tank tightness checks.
Allision Survey: A casualty survey conducted after a moving vessel strikes a stationary object such as a jetty, distinguishing the event from a collision between two moving ships.
American Petroleum Institute (API): The US trade association whose Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards (MPMS) governs the measurement of oil cargoes during loading and discharge surveys.
AMSPEC: An American independent inspection and laboratory company providing petroleum, petrochemical, and bulk cargo quantity and quality surveys at terminals worldwide.
Apparent Good Order and Condition: The bill of lading representation by the master regarding the external condition of cargo at shipment, binding the carrier in the hands of a transferee.
ASTM D1250-19: The current edition of the Standard Guide for the Use of the Petroleum Measurement Tables, jointly maintained by ASTM, API, and IP, defining the calculation of volume correction factors.
ASTM Table 24: The metric companion to Table 6, correcting volume to 15 degrees Celsius against density at 15 degrees C for generalized products.
ASTM Table 26: The volume correction table for lubricating oils, distinguishing them from generalized products and crude oils.
ASTM Table 52: Generalized products volume correction against density at 15 degrees C, the metric counterpart to the older imperial tables.
ASTM Table 54B: Historical volume correction table for generalized petroleum products at 15 degrees C, now superseded by tables embedded in ISO 91:2017.
ASTM Table 6: Generalized petroleum products correction of volume to 60 degrees Fahrenheit against API gravity at 60 degrees F.
ATG Sherlock: A proprietary acoustic emission system supplied by ATG for testing hatch cover and weathertight closure tightness without water.
Authority to Proceed: A document the on-hire surveyor issues confirming the vessel is in agreed condition and the charterer may commence employment.

B

Bale capacity: Cargo volume measured to the inside of frames and below beams.
Ballast Survey: Verification of all ballast water volumes on board at the time of the initial and final draft surveys, essential to isolating cargo weight.
Berth Survey: An inspection conducted alongside a terminal to record cargo, structural, or operational conditions tied to the loading or discharge berth.
Bill of Lading Figure: The cargo quantity entered on the bill of lading by the carrier, against which the shore figure and ship's figure from the surveyor are compared.
Bonded Stores Inventory: A condition-survey appendix recording the master's declaration of duty-free stores, ranged separately from owner's bunkers and lubricants.
Bottom Sediment and Water (BS&W): The non-hydrocarbon component of an oil cargo, measured by laboratory centrifuge or Karl Fischer titration and deducted to derive the net standard volume.
Bottom Survey: External examination of underwater hull, traditionally in drydock; may be IWS where approved.
Bunker Delivery Note (BDN): Required under MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 18.
Bunker survey: Quantity and quality measurement at delivery and redelivery.
Bureau Veritas Commodities: The cargo inspection division of Bureau Veritas formed after acquisition of Inspectorate, providing global petroleum and dry cargo survey services.

C

Calibration Table: Tank-specific table relating sounded or ullaged liquid height to volume, prepared by the shipyard and validated by classification societies.
Camin Cargo Control: A US-headquartered independent inspection company specializing in petroleum, petrochemical, and biofuels cargo surveys and laboratory testing.
Cargo Manifest: Statutory list of cargo carried.
Cargo Sweat: Condensation forming on cargo when warm humid air contacts cold cargo surface.
Casualty Survey: Investigation following grounding, collision, fire, or other marine casualty.
Certificate of Fitness: The IBC or IGC Code certificate naming the cargoes the vessel is permitted to carry, central to chemical and gas tanker vetting.
Chalk Test: A weathertightness check in which chalk is rubbed on hatch coaming bars, the cover is closed, and the rubber gasket is examined for unbroken contact lines.
Chartered Marine Surveyor: A title conferred by the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) on members who satisfy education, experience, and continuing professional development criteria.
Classification Society Surveyor: Inspector employed by an IACS or non-IACS class society.
Clean ballast: ballast water that meets discharge criteria under MARPOL.
Clearance Survey: A condition survey conducted before a vessel sails to confirm seaworthiness for a specific intended voyage.
Closing Ullage: The ullage measurement taken immediately after loading or discharge is completed, used with opening ullage to determine quantity transferred.
Club Correspondent: independent local representative appointed by a P&I club to assist members in handling incidents in a port.
Coating Condition Report: The survey appendix grading the integrity of tank or hold coatings using a standard such as IACS Recommendation 87 (GOOD, FAIR, POOR).
Cofferdam Inspection: A close-up visual survey of the void spaces separating cargo tanks from machinery or accommodation spaces.
Cold Move Survey: A condition survey of a non-propelled vessel inspected prior to a dead tow.
Compatibility Letter: A document signed before loading mixed cargoes confirming that the proposed parcels will not react adversely, often based on surveyor sampling.
Condensation Damage: Wetting of cargo caused by water vapor reaching dew point on cold steelwork or on the cargo surface, investigated by the surveyor through ventilation logs.
Condition and Valuation Survey (C&V): An inspection performed for marine underwriters or banks to assess the physical condition and market value of a vessel.
Condition Survey: Overall assessment of structural and machinery condition for insurance or sale.
Constants: Difference between vessel light displacement and displacement at survey draft minus declared weights.
Contamination Survey: Investigation of cargo contamination by previous cargo, water, or foreign matter.
Core Laboratories: Parent company of the Saybolt petroleum inspection brand operating bunker survey services globally.
Correspondent Surveyor: A surveyor appointed locally by a P&I club to attend an incident on behalf of an absent owner or insurer.

D

Damage Survey: Investigation into hull, machinery, or cargo damage and probable cause.
Dead Weight Scale: A graphical or tabular shipyard document relating mean draft to displacement, used as a cross-check to hydrostatic tables.
Deadweight Survey: Determination of available deadweight at given draft using hydrostatics.
Deck Log Examination: The surveyor's scrutiny of bridge log entries for weather, ventilation, and operational decisions during a claim investigation.
Deflection Correction: A draft survey correction that accounts for the ship's bending (hog or sag) between perpendiculars, derived from the six draft readings.
Density Correction: The adjustment to displacement when the dock water density differs from the standard 1.025 t per cubic meter used to construct hydrostatic tables.
Departure Condition Survey: A condition record taken just before sailing, often combined with an on-hire survey at the load port.
Dew Point Rule: A ventilation rule for hygroscopic cargoes that ventilation is permissible only when outside air dew point is lower than the cargo or hold dew point.
Diesel Oil Survey: A bunker survey of marine diesel oil (MDO) or marine gas oil (MGO) including sampling for ISO 8217 conformity.
Displacement Calculation: The derivation of total vessel weight from observed mean draft via hydrostatic tables, after trim, list, hog/sag, and density corrections.
Dock Water Allowance: The increase in permissible draft when loading in water less dense than salt water, determined from the FWA on the load line certificate.
Draft survey: Cargo weight determination by hydrostatic calculation.
Draught Reading: A simultaneous observation of forward, midship, and aft draft marks on both port and starboard sides, totalling six readings.
Drydock Survey: Out-of-water survey of underwater hull, rudder, propeller, and sea valves.
Dunnage Survey: Verification of dunnage type, condition, and adequacy for cargo support.

E

Empty Ullage: The distance from the reference point at the top of a tank to the bottom of the tank, used in deriving observed ullage volumes.
Equasis Form 16: The Port State Control inspection summary record maintained on the public Equasis database that surveyors consult during pre-purchase reviews.
Exoneration Letter: A document the cargo surveyor may issue when discrepancies are explained by acceptable measurement tolerances.
Expert Witness Report: A formal report prepared by an experienced marine surveyor for litigation or arbitration, complying with the rules of the forum such as CPR Part 35 in England.

F

Fair Log: The clean, official version of a deck or engine log transcribed from the rough log and signed by the master, contrasted with the rough log notes.
Fendering Inspection: A condition check of permanent or portable fenders on tugs, workboats, and offshore support vessels.
Final Survey: HKC survey under Regulation 10.4 prior to dismantling, leading to the IRRC.
Fixed Cargo Gear Survey: An inspection of cranes, derricks, and other lifting appliances, often combined with statutory load testing every five years and annual thorough examination.
Flag Out Survey: A condition survey performed when a vessel changes flag, often required by the receiving administration through a recognized organization.
Flexible Hose Test (IACS UR Z18): The hose test prescribed by IACS Unified Requirement Z18 using a jet of water at minimum 2 bar from a nozzle at least 12 millimeters in diameter at not more than 1.5 meters distance.
Floor Plate Inspection: The close visual examination of internal floor plates in a double bottom during enhanced survey programs.
Foreign Material Sampling: The collection of sweepings or residues from a hold or tank for laboratory analysis after a contamination claim.
Forepeak Tank Survey: An internal examination of the most forward ballast tank, often coupled with a chain locker inspection.
Form Stability Check: A surveyor's verification that the inclining experiment and stability booklet figures are consistent with observed conditions.
Forwarding Surveyor: A surveyor appointed at the load port whose report is forwarded to a receiver appointed at the discharge port.
Free Water (FW): The water layer measurable separately at the bottom of an oil cargo tank using water-finding paste on a UTI tape.
Fresh Water Allowance (FWA): The number of millimeters by which the summer load line draft may be exceeded in fresh water, marked on the load line certificate.
Fuel Oil Survey: A bunkering attendance combining quantity, temperature, density, and sampling for ISO 8217 quality verification.
Full Term Bareboat Survey: The condition record taken at the start and end of a bareboat charter to define redelivery condition.

G

Gas-free certificate: Certificate before hot work in tanks.
General Average Survey: Surveyor's assessment supporting average adjuster's calculations.
Generalized Crude Oils: A category in ASTM D1250 covering crude oils, with their own VCF tables (Tables 5/23/53 and 6A/24A/54A).
Generalized Products: A category in ASTM D1250 covering refined petroleum products such as gasolines, jet fuels, distillates, and fuel oils.
Geometric Calibration: A tank capacity verification method based on physical measurement of geometry, used when strapping tables are challenged.
Grain capacity: Cubic capacity available for grain cargo.
Grain Clean: A high standard of hold cleanliness in which holds are washed, dried, and free of all residues of the previous cargo, suitable for most general cargoes.
Gross Observed Volume (GOV): Cargo volume at observed temperature including water and sediment.
Gross Standard Volume (GSV): Volume at 15 degrees C corrected from observed conditions.

H

Hague-Visby Time Bar: The one year limitation period under Article III Rule 6 of the Hague-Visby Rules within which cargo claims must be brought or be time barred.
Hatch Cover Survey: Inspection of weathertight covers including seals, cleats, and panels.
Hatch Tightness Test: A general term for any test used to verify weathertightness of a closed hatch cover, including hose, chalk, light, ultrasonic, and smoke testing.
Hatchman: The surveyor's tally clerk or check-counter recording cargo movements at a specific hatch.
Heat Damage Survey: An inspection of cargo for damage caused by elevated temperatures, often involving thermographic imaging and core temperature probing.
Holds Cleanliness Survey: A pre-loading inspection grading hold cleanliness against standards required by the next cargo.
Hose Test: Water hose application to hatch covers and weathertight closures to verify watertight integrity.
Hospital Clean: The highest hold cleanliness standard, requiring sound paintwork in good condition with no rust, no loose scale, and no residues, suitable for sensitive cargoes such as high grade kaolin or fluorspar.
Hull and Machinery Surveyor: Surveyor for hull insurers attending damage and repair incidents.
Hydrostatic Tables: Vessel-specific tables relating draft to displacement, used to convert measured drafts into cargo weight in draft surveys.

I

IFCS: The International Federation of Cargo Surveyors, a global representative body for cargo surveying companies and practitioners.
IIMS: The International Institute of Marine Surveying, headquartered in Portsmouth, United Kingdom, offering professional qualifications and a global membership scheme.
IMarEST: Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology, London, founded 1889.
IMO Reference Cargo: A nominal cargo description used in surveys when cross-checking against the IMSBC Code Group A, B, or C classifications.
Independent surveyor: P&I or charterer surveyor attending operations.
Inert Gas Survey: An inspection of the inert gas system on a tanker, including oxygen content checks before tank entry and during cargo operations.
Initial Survey: First survey before issuance of a certificate under SOLAS I/7-10.
Inspectorate: Bureau Veritas group company providing bunker quantity survey and sampling services worldwide.
Intertek Caleb Brett: The cargo inspection division of the Intertek Group providing petroleum, petrochemical, and bulk commodity surveys at ports worldwide.
ISO 9001: Quality management standard often integrated with ISM.

J

Joint Hull Committee Guidelines: The London market committee documents that surveyors reference when assessing hull warranties and survey requirements.
Joint Survey: Inspection attended by both load and discharge interests.

K

Karl Fischer titration: Coulometric or volumetric water determination per ISO 12937 or ASTM D6304.
Kerosene Test: A penetrant leak test used as a workshop alternative to hose testing for certain weld joints.

L

Lashing Survey: Inspection of cargo securing arrangement and equipment.
Letter of Indemnity (LOI): Counter-promise to compensate for action taken at requester's request.
Letter of Protest (LOP): Formal written objection issued during cargo operations.
Light Test: A hatch tightness test in which a powerful light source is placed in a darkened hold and observers look for light penetration through gasket joints.
Lightening Survey: A draft survey performed during a ship to ship transfer to verify quantities lightered or received.
List Correction: Correction applied to drafts and ullages due to vessel list.
Load on Previous Cargo: A hold condition standard allowing the new cargo to be loaded on residues of the previous compatible cargo, used for some homogeneous bulk shipments.
Load on Top: A historical tanker practice of loading new crude oil over slops retained from previous cargoes, surveyed by independent inspectors to define quantities.
Loadline Survey: A statutory inspection by a flag administration or recognized organization confirming compliance with the International Convention on Load Lines 1966 as amended.
LOF Survey: A surveyor attendance under Lloyd's Open Form salvage where the SCOPIC clause or the salved fund requires recording of values and condition.

M

Marine Chemist: Certified specialist issuing gas-free and hot work certificates.
Marine Warranty Surveyor: Independent assurance role on heavy lift, tow, and salvage moves.
Master's protest: Sworn statement noting events potentially giving rise to claims.
MCTC: The Moment to Change Trim one centimeter, a hydrostatic table value used in draft survey trim corrections.
Mean of Means Draft: The corrected mean draft used in draft surveys, calculated from forward, aft, and midship readings to account for hog and sag.
Midship Draft: Reading at midship draft marks port and starboard.
MMC Interface Detector: A portable instrument by MMC International used for ullage, temperature, and oil-water interface measurement in cargo tanks.
Mooring Survey: An inspection of mooring lines, fairleads, bitts, and winches under OCIMF Mooring Equipment Guidelines for tanker terminal acceptance.

N

NAMS: The National Association of Marine Surveyors in the United States, granting the Certified Marine Surveyor (CMS) credential after examination and peer review.
Net Standard Volume (NSV): Petroleum volume at 15 C excluding sediment and water.
Newbuilding Survey: surveys during construction culminating in delivery and assignment of class.
Normal Clean: A hold condition standard requiring holds to be swept, washed with seawater, and free of significant residues, suitable for many bulk cargoes.

O

OBM/ROB Wet/Dry Lines: The classification of residues found on cargo tank bottoms as wet, dry, or measurable using sounding paste, recorded on the survey ullage report.
OBQ (On Board Quantity): Material on board before loading including cargo residue, water, and sediment.
Observed Temperature: The temperature of the oil cargo recorded at the time of measurement, used in conjunction with density to derive volume correction factors.
Off Specification Cargo: Cargo failing GHV, Wobbe, or hydrocarbon limit; subject to claim under sale agreement.
Off-Hire Bunker Survey: A survey conducted at the redelivery of a time chartered vessel to determine the quantity of bunkers handed back to owners.
Off-Hire Condition Survey: The inspection at redelivery of a time chartered vessel, comparing condition against the on-hire baseline.
On-Hire Bunker Survey: A specific quantity and quality determination of bunkers at the moment of delivery into a time charter, separating it from the broader on-hire survey.
On-Hire Condition Survey: An inspection at delivery establishing the baseline condition of the vessel for redelivery comparison.
Opening Ullage: The ullage measurement taken just before cargo transfer begins, used with the closing ullage to derive the transferred quantity.
Out-Turn Survey: The independent measurement of cargo received at the discharge port, compared with bill of lading and ship's figures.

P

P&I Surveyor: A surveyor appointed by or on behalf of a Protection and Indemnity club to investigate a cargo, crew, or third party claim.
Particular Average Survey: Underwriter survey for partial loss of insured property.
Pilot Card Verification: A surveyor's check that the pilot card reflects current trim, displacement, and maneuvering characteristics.
Pre-Discharge Survey: An inspection before discharge, including ullage measurements, sampling, and visual condition assessment of cargo.
Pre-Loading Survey: Inspection of holds, lashings, and cargo condition before loading.
Pre-Purchase Survey: A detailed condition inspection commissioned by a prospective buyer of a vessel, often combining hull, machinery, and documentary review.
Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI): A general term for any inspection conducted prior to shipment to confirm quantity, quality, packing, or marking.

Q

Quality Certificate: Laboratory certificate accompanying bunker delivery summarizing test results against ISO 8217 or contract specification.
Quantity Certificate: A document issued by the surveyor stating the measured quantity loaded or discharged, including the basis of measurement.
Quay Survey: A pre and post-call inspection of berths, fenders, and bollards to allocate responsibility for damage between vessel and terminal.

R

Reefer Container Survey: PTI and condition inspection of refrigerated containers.
Reefer Pre-Trip Inspection (PTI): A standardized functional test of a reefer unit before stuffing, the records of which the surveyor reviews in a damage claim.
Reefer Survey: An inspection of a reefer ship's cargo holds, refrigeration plant, brine systems, and air circulation.
Refloating Survey: A casualty inspection performed after a grounded vessel is refloated, addressing bottom damage and machinery soundness.
Remaining on board (ROB): Fuel quantity present in ship tanks before or after a bunkering, central to bunker quantity surveys.
Reweighing: The repeat measurement requested when initial measurements are challenged by one party.
RINA Membership: Membership of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects, a London-based learned society whose corporate members include surveyors specializing in hull strength and structural matters.
Rough Log: The handwritten contemporaneous notebook from which the fair log is transcribed, often more probative in disputes.
Ruler Method: A simplified technique used by surveyors for shallow tanks where a calibrated rule replaces a sounding tape.

S

Safety Survey: A statutory inspection under SOLAS for cargo ships including the SOLAS Cargo Ship Safety Construction, Safety Equipment, and Safety Radio certificates.
SAMI: Security Association for the Maritime Industry, PMSC trade body founded 2011, dissolved in financial difficulty April 2015.
Sampling Plan: Documented procedure stating points, depths, and quantities for sampling.
SAMS: The Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors in the United States, granting the AMS credential after examination and continuing education.
Saybolt: A petroleum and bulk inspection company, part of the Core Laboratories group, providing custody transfer and quality surveys at oil and chemical terminals worldwide.
Scale of Soundings: A tank capacity table relating sounding measurement to volume, complementary to the ullage table.
Seal Verification: The surveyor's check of bottle seals, tape seals, or electronic seals on hatches, valves, and sample containers.
Securtest: A commercial ultrasonic hatch tightness test brand widely used in the industry.
SGS: A Swiss-headquartered inspection, testing, and certification company providing extensive marine and cargo inspection services globally under the SGS brand.
Sherlog CTS: An ultrasonic hatch cover tightness testing instrument by Coda Octopus formerly Martek Marine.
Sherlog Hatch Test: The recognized brand of ultrasonic hatch tightness testing equipment commonly seen on bulk carriers.
Ship Constant: The unexplained residual weight from a draft survey calculation, comprising unrecorded items such as mud in the bilges, accumulated paint, and minor stores not declared.
Ship to Ship (STS) Transfer Survey: An inspection during a ship to ship oil or LNG transfer under OCIMF and SIGTTO guidance.
Ship's Figure: The cargo quantity determined by the ship's own ullage and sounding measurements, distinct from the shore figure and surveyor figure.
Ship's Sweat: Condensation forming on cold ship structure when warm humid air enters hold.
Shore Figure: The quantity declared by the shore tank measurements or flow meter readings, compared with the ship's figure.
Shortage Survey: An investigation triggered by a discrepancy between bill of lading quantity and outturn quantity, isolating measurement, vessel, and shore losses.
Shovel Clean: A low standard of hold cleanliness requiring only removal of bulk residues by shovel and broom, used between similar cargoes.
Six Draft Readings: The fundamental observation of forward, midship, and aft drafts on both port and starboard sides during a draft survey.
Slop Tank Survey: Quantity and quality measurement of slops on tankers.
Smoke Test: Functional test of smoke detection on cargo holds and machinery spaces.
SOPEP Locker Inspection: Inspection of Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan equipment.
Sounding tape: UTI or steel tape graduated for tank sounding with water finding paste.
Statement of Facts (SOF): Time log of port events signed by master and agent.
Static Survey: A survey conducted with the vessel at rest and the cargo system static, contrasted with dynamic flow measurement.
Statutory survey: Survey performed under IMO conventions for issuance or endorsement of statutory certificates.
Stelzer Tape: A brand of high-precision ullage and interface measurement tape used in petroleum measurement.
Stowage Plan Verification: The surveyor's confirmation that the cargo has been stowed in accordance with the approved stowage plan and IMDG segregation rules where applicable.
Stripping Survey: A measurement at the end of discharge confirming the tanks have been stripped to specification, recorded as ROB.
Sufferance Survey: A condition survey for a vessel allowed to operate temporarily outside class or convention requirements pending repair.
Suspension of Class Survey: An inspection following lifting of a suspension of class by the relevant classification society.

T

Tail Shaft Survey: Class periodic survey of tail shaft and stern tube bearings.
Tank calibration table: Document relating ullage or sounding to volume for each tank.
Tank Cleaning Survey: Inspection of tank cleaning operations and result acceptance.
Tanker Inspection (SIRE): The OCIMF Ship Inspection Report Programme inspection conducted by accredited inspectors for chartering vetting purposes, distinct from cargo surveys but often by the same individuals.
Tier 1 Surveyor: An informal designation for a surveyor approved by major energy companies and trading houses for petroleum quantity and quality inspections.
Time Bar: Limitation period (one year under Hague-Visby Article III Rule 6).
Total Calculated Volume (TCV): GSV plus free water in petroleum quantity calculations.
Total Observed Volume (TOV): Total volume in tank at observed temperature.
Tow Approval Survey: A marine warranty attendance issuing the certificate of approval to tow following inspection and document review.
TPC: Reference Taiwan Power Company.
Trim Correction: Correction applied for vessel trim during draft survey.

U

Ullage: Empty space above liquid cargo in a tank.
Ullage report: Pre- and post-transfer record of ullages in delivering and receiving tanks.
Ultrasonic Hatch Tightness Test: A measurement of acoustic energy leakage from inside a closed hatch to detect gasket discontinuities, accepted by classification societies as equivalent to hose testing.
UN ECE Code 1992: The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Code of Uniform Standards and Procedures for the Performance of Draught Surveys of Coal Cargoes, the global benchmark for draft survey method.
Unattended Loading Letter: A protest issued when terminal procedures prevent the surveyor from witnessing all phases of cargo measurement.
Underdeck Inspection: A close visual examination of structural members under the main deck, including beam knees and bracket toes.
Underwater Inspection in Lieu of Drydocking (UWILD): Class survey method that incorporates a niche area biofouling assessment.
Underwriter's Surveyor: Surveyor instructed by hull or cargo underwriters.
UTI Tape: The Ullage, Temperature, and Interface tape used in petroleum measurement, capable of detecting the oil-water interface using a probe and water-finding paste.

V

Vacuum Box Test: NDT method for weld tightness verification using a vacuum box.
Valuation Survey: A condition-based market valuation of a vessel, increasingly combined with broker desk analysis for financiers and owners.
VCF (Volume Correction Factor): Factor correcting petroleum volume to 15 degrees C.
Ventilation Log Audit: The surveyor's review of bridge ventilation entries against dew point rules and cargo characteristics, central to wet damage claims.
Vessel Inspection Questionnaire (VIQ): The OCIMF SIRE questionnaire that guides tanker vetting inspections.
Visual Wall Wash: A surveyor inspection of cargo tank walls after solvent or detergent washing to verify cleanliness for sensitive parcels.
Voyage Charter Survey: Cargo or condition survey under a voyage charter.

W

Wall Wash Test: Methanol or solvent test for cleanliness in chemical tanker tanks.
Warranty Survey: MWS attendance issuing certificates for tow, lift, or transport phases.
Water Cut: Measurement of free water in petroleum cargo using water finding paste.
Weather Tightness: The capability of a closure to prevent water ingress under specified conditions, less stringent than water tightness, the standard governing hatch covers under the Load Line Convention.
Wedge formula: Calculation correcting bunker quantities for trim and list.
Wet Damage Survey: An attendance recording water ingress damage to cargo, supporting outturn claims and root cause analysis.
Wet Test: The general term for a hose test or comparable water-based weathertightness check, in contrast to a dry test such as ultrasonic or chalk.
Witness Surveyor: Surveyor attending operations to witness and certify events.
Working Cargo Gear Certificate: The Register of Ships' Cargo Handling Machinery (often Form 99) endorsed by the surveyor after testing and thorough examination.

X

X-Ray Examination: Non-destructive testing of welds, sometimes required at delivery.

Y

Yacht Coding Survey: An inspection of a commercial yacht against the relevant MCA Large Yacht Code by an authorized surveyor.
Yard Repair Survey: An attending surveyor's record of repairs completed at a shipyard, supported by photographs, NDT reports, and class endorsement.
York Antwerp Rules Verification: The surveyor's role in establishing facts relevant to a general average adjustment under the York Antwerp Rules.

Z

Z18 Hose Test: The IACS Unified Requirement Z18 hose test procedure for hatch covers and other weathertight closures, used as the default acceptance test.
Zero Reading: The reference point on a tank capacity table corresponding to a sounding of zero, sometimes located at the keel or at the bottom of the sounding pipe.
Zone Cleanliness Survey: A subdivided hold cleanliness inspection in which separate zones are graded independently when only part of the hold will be loaded.