520 - 04/07 - Lifeboat Safety - Worldwide
31/03/2007
The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) has updated two of its Information Bulletins relating to lifeboat safety, after investigation into a recent tragic lifeboat drill incident.
The Association reported to Members, through Loss Prevention Bulletin 480 in July 2006, a large number of groundings in the Rio Parana/River Plate. The following guidance has been provided by the route and manoeuvring advisor to the Argentine Coastguard.
An incident has occurred on board a ship entered with the Association that echoes an incident and safety message of Loss Prevention Bulletin 428 issued in 2005.
Several bulletins have been published in recent years concerning ship ballast issues, particularly in countries such as the United States, Australia, and Ukraine. The United States and Australia in particular are sensitive to pollution and so strict compliance with ballasting requirements is necessary. However, some countries, notably in recent times the Ukraine appear to be imposing fines on ships entering its ports, where there is no evidence of pollution or lack of compliance with relevant ballasting requirements.
The Club's local correspondent in Odessa, Ukraine has informed the Association of their concerns about problems often encountered by foreign ships when discharging cargoes such as palm oil.
Members should be aware that under the Canadian Criminal Code there may be a requirement to provide security for the cost of repatriating crewmembers should they be charged with offences, and this may also involve the detention of the ship.
511 - 02/07 - Stowaway Incidents - Turkey
01/02/2007
A Member appears to have been targeted by a criminal organisation stowing illegal immigrants in open-top containers bound for Europe from a Turkish port.
The Association has received the following notification from the Club's correspondents in Barbados. We wish to draw Members' attention to changes in customs and immigration reporting requirements and significant increases in penalties coming into effect in tandem with the creation of a single domestic space for various Caribbean jurisdictions for the period of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007.
Aims to curb marine pollution
01/02/2007
The UK Club has produced, in partnership with Lloyd's Register, a pocket checklist designed to reduce the likelihood of ships being detained by Port State Control. The checklist is a practical guide that advises masters and owners about their general approach to Port State Control and highlights MARPOL deficiencies that often lead to detention.
Loss Prevention Bulletin 489 (issued September 2006) detailed a lifeboat drill incident that unfortunately resulted in the death of one of the crew members on board. After the incident the lifeboat was brought to the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) Engineering Branch laboratory for examination. The davit launch gravity type enclosed lifeboat was found to be fitted with a SRS-37 type release gear mechanism manufactured in 2001 by Shigi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
For health and safety reasons, as well as for the good management of crew on board, ship's officers should ensure that a system is in place that involves daily meetings of senior personnel with other crew members on board to discuss the activities to be undertaken during the day.
Alert! 13 - Seafarer fatigue
01/01/2007
Carriage in bulk of noxious liquid substances and chemicals is covered by regulations in SOLAS Chapter VII and MARPOL Annex II