Self-latching hatch cover for barges

A water tight hatch cover and coaming assembly on a barge or like vessel, comprising in combination, a manually operable cover adapted to selectively close a hatchway defined in part by the coaming assembly to keep water out and to open it for access to a cargo area, hinging means hinging the cover on the coaming assembly to move from open to closed hatchway positions thereon including a projection on said cover extending beyond the coaming and a substantially U-shaped open topped mating housing member extending from the coaming to surround the extension, a detent slot defined in said extension disposable in said housing member over the movement span of the cover, a pin extending through the housing member to engage the slot and seat in different detent positions therein for open and closed cover positions, means camming the projection against the housing member as the cover moves from an open to a closed position to move the cover slot from one detent position to another, and a quick release self-latching spring loaded lock for retaining said cover in a water tight closed position thereby permitting a deck hand to quickly open and close the hatch cover.