Further to Bulletin 6 of 6/97, Members are advised that the SIPBS (State Inspection for Protection of the Black Sea) are continuing to take infringements of the ballast water regulations very seriously.
We are presently receiving a number of queries from Members who are running foul of the local Brazilian immigration requirements.
64 - 09/98 - Debateable Testing Techniques for Comparison of Oil Samples - Bar - Yugoslavia
31/08/1998
We have recently been involved in an alleged oil pollution in Bar, Montenegro. Surface oil was seen around the ship's hull but the master was adamant the oil did not originate from the ship.
We are advised that during a recent visit to a certain Australian port, on nearing completion a Member's ship was visited by union officials.
A new Brazilian Government Ordinance states that all stowaways arriving at Brazilian ports are to be disembarked from the carrying ship on arrival. Following disembarkation, the stowaways are to be held in detention until travel documents necessary for their repatriation are obtained.
Members are reminded that the waters of the western approach to Singapore are not properly designated anchorages or waiting areas for Singapore and that ships anchoring in this area (usually awaiting orders or taking provisions whilst seeking to avoid port charges) are vulnerable to intervention from the local authorities.
55 - 07/98 - Stowaway Fines - Italy
30/06/1998
On the 30th March 1998 it was reported that the Genoa Port Police had detained a stowaway in the port area. Subsequent investigations revealed that the stowaway had escaped from a Member's ship. As a consequence the Master was personally fined as he had not previously placed the Italian Immigration Authorities on notice that there was a stowaway on board.
Members should be aware that AMSA Port State Control inspectors will detain a ship immediately they find something of note wrong regardless of whether it can be rectified within minutes/ hours. The detention will only be lifted after a second visit.