Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) and Ultrasonic Thickness Gauging (UTG) Policy

Prohull Asia LTD

Effective Date: 30.10.2023

Purpose and Scope
This policy outlines the procedures and ethos that our operators must follow when conducting Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) and Ultrasonic Thickness Gauging (UTG). NDT and UTG are essential to ensure the safety, integrity, and reliability of our infrastructure, particularly Bulk carriers, container vessels, and tankers, which our services primarily focus on, along with aircraft, pipelines, and oil rigs.
Compliance with this policy is mandatory for all operators and personnel involved in NDT and UTG activities.
Ethos and Principles
Our commitment to NDT and UTG is based on the following principles:
a. Safety First: The safety of our employees, contractors, and the environment is our top priority. All NDT and UTG activities must be carried out in strict compliance with safety regulations and industry best practices.
b. Integrity: We are dedicated to maintaining the integrity of the assets and products. Accurate and reliable NDT and UTG results are critical to achieving this goal.
c. Continuous Improvement: We continuously strive to improve our NDT and UTG techniques, equipment, and processes to ensure the highest quality results.
d. Compliance: We are committed to adhering to all relevant laws, regulations, codes, and standards in the field of NDT and UTG.
e. Professionalism: Our operators must conduct themselves professionally at all times, demonstrating competence, reliability, and ethical behavior.
Operator Qualifications
All NDT and UTG operators must meet the following qualifications:
a. Certification: Operators must hold valid certifications in the specific NDT and UTG methods they will be performing, issued by recognized certification bodies.
b. Training: Operators must undergo regular training and competency assessments to maintain their skills and knowledge.
c. Experience: Operators should have a sufficient level of experience in the specific NDT and UTG methods and equipment they will be using.
Procedures
Operators must follow established procedures for NDT and UTG, which include but are not limited to:
a. Pre-inspection preparations, including equipment calibration and safety checks.
b. Conducting the NDT and UTG tests according to the approved methods and procedures.
c. Recording and documenting test results accurately, including any discrepancies or anomalies.
d. Reporting and addressing any safety concerns, equipment malfunctions, or deviations from established procedures immediately.
e. Properly maintaining NDT and UTG equipment to ensure accuracy and reliability.
f. Reviewing and interpreting NDT and UTG results in consultation with qualified experts.
Reporting
In addition to the need to ensure safety, non-destructive testing can be used to improve output profitability and be used as data for getting valuable results. As of these, our operators will conduct the NDT and the reporting consistently and with ethos.
Results of NDT and UTG tests should be reported promptly, accurately, and in accordance with our reporting procedures. Any issues or anomalies discovered during the tests must be documented and communicated to the appropriate personnel for further action.
Under no circumstances will spaces and structural members that have not been inspected be reported, even if external forces or authorities demand it.
In certain instances, if repairs were made based on our NDT results, but our engineers did not inspect the procedures or the replacement materials due to the fact that the Owner or relevant Organizations/Classification societies did not request or maintain for a more extended period our engineers to inspect it, we cannot report it. This is because it goes against the basic principle of NDT, which is to demonstrate the truth. Please note that we only accept repair drawings or confirmations by 3rd parties about the quality procedures and/or the physical and mechanical properties of the replacement materials if they are inspected and approved by our engineers. This is because reporting and NDT are exclusively the product of our engineers.
Compliance
Our NDT and UTG activities must comply with all relevant industry standards, regulations, and codes, as well as our company's internal policies and procedures. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary actions.
Review and Improvement
This policy will be regularly reviewed to ensure its effectiveness and relevance. We are committed to continuous improvement in our NDT and UTG practices and will make necessary revisions to this policy as required.

This NDT and UTG Policy is an essential component of our commitment to safety, quality, and integrity. All employees and operators are expected to uphold and promote the principles outlined in this policy during their inspections, NDT, and UTG activities.

Christos Bakas

Prohull Asia LTD

30.10.2023