MM3686, Lesson 1
CARGO INSPECTION
Once all the necessary documents have been reviewed and found satisfactory, the ammunition inspector
inspects the cargo that is to be loaded on the vessel. The cargo to be inspected will almost always consist of
railcars or MILVANs loaded with munitions.
Railcars
Most ammunition and explosives arrive at the port facility by railcar. Each railcar must be inspected for
evidence of tampering (such as broken seals) or of being otherwise unsatisfactory. BOE 6000 is used for the
inspection standards. If any discrepancies are found, the railcar must be moved to a "suspect area" for further
inspection and special handling. The suspect area should be a safe distance away from other ammunition and
explosives and should be barricaded. The proper DOT placards should be on railcars that are loaded with
ammunition and explosives.
All ammunition and explosives not being shipped in sealed, reuseable containers (CONNEX, etc.) should be
inspected. They must be packed, marked, labeled, certified, and otherwise in accordance with BOE 6000.
Any explosive or chemical warfare agent showing evidence of leaking, excessive dampness, oil stain, or
damage to such an extent that the packaging material can not protect the ammunition or explosives must not be
accepted for stowage aboard a vessel. Any rejected items must be removed to a designated isolated area as
quickly as possible. The owners of the ammunition should be notified for instructions on proper disposition.
MILVANs
Less frequently, ammunition and explosives are preloaded in MILVANs for shipment to overseas locations.
MILVANs must be inspected, using Military Handbook 138, Container Inspection Handbook for Commercial
and Military Intermodal Containers (Dry Cargo Type), for evidence of tampering or rough handling. The
security seals must not be broken, and the MILVANs must be properly marked with DOT placards.
If a MILVAN has been involved in an accident, a thorough inspection of the cargo must be made to determine
the extent of damage and the degree of hazard. All damaged shipments should be reported on Standard Form
(SF) 361 (Discrepancy Shipment Report), commonly called DISREP. See Figure 1-5 on pages 11 and 12 for an
example of a completed DISREP.
Trailers with MILVANs on them should arrive properly blocked and braced. If, however, one arrives at the
port facility with improper blocking and bracing or a displaced center gate, fill out and submit a DISREP. If there
has been damage enough to inspect the cargo and it is discovered that the ammunition has improper packaging, is
in incorrect quantities, etc., fill out and submit an SF 364 (Report of Discrepancy), commonly called ROD. See
Figure 1-6 on pages 13 and 14 for a completed SF 364.
SAFETY INSPECTIONS
The ammunition inspector observes all ammunition operations for a vessel to ensure they are free of safety
violations. Safety inspections include both preloading and loading phases of an operation.
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