PURPOSE: To efficiently stack hatch covers inside poles which are disposed at a storage place for the hatch covers, by providing a holding pawl which is liftable and turned removably from the hatch covers inside each pole, and by repeating the turning and lifting of the holding pawl alternately.

CONSTITUTION: Hatch cover storage members 2 of which each can be lifted by a piston cylinder 7 are disposed inside poles 1AW1D which are located at a storage place 10 for hatch covers W1WW5. A holding pawl which is turned removably from a held part 4 of each hatch cover W1WW5 is disposed inside each of the hatch cover storage members 2. The holding pawls are turned to make engagement with the hatch cover being carried into the poles and then lift the cover. The hatch cover is put on a subsequently carried hatch cover. This procedure is repeatedly done, hence efficiently stacking the hatch covers in the storage place.