On the 11th of September, according to the Receivers, lumps were found by the Operating Manager, without reporting the precise time. In addition, they underlined that the lumps could damage the valves of the pneumatic unloader. The Captain replied to the Letter of Protest in writing by arguing that neither the Vessel nor its Owners or Charterers could accept responsibility for any eventual damages to the unloader that would have been caused by the suction of small lumps as the spout nozzle is not fitted with an appropriate sieve. Was the reply of the Captain to the Letter of Protest a correct and valid response?