We have frequently reminded Members of the strict watch maintained by the German Harbour Police Authorities in connection with oil record books. This watch is maintained so that action can be taken against crews suspected of disposing of oil sludge illegally. The Harbour Police adopt a similar approach in connection with garbage disposal record books. The authorities also wish to prevent the illegal disposal of garbage from ships and to ensure disposal is only made through officially licensed companies.
Members' attention is drawn to some recent changes to the International Transport Workers Federation standard crew contract for use on board so called "flag of convenience" vessels as well as in other affiliated union contracts.
We have been notified that the Gabonese Health Authorities are boarding ships calling at Port Gentil and Owendo. It would appear that not only will medicine, food, drink or other products with an expired validity date be destroyed, but the ship may also be subject to a "fine".
We are advised that since the instigation of the ISM Code on the 1st July 1998 the Mercantile Marine Dept in Mormugao Harbour has been undertaking more regular and strict inspections of vessels. Particular interest is being taken in the following :
Following a decision in Febuary 1999 in the supreme court (Cour de Cassation) in France, it has been decided that under article 19 of the French Act dated 3/1/69 a shipowner must bear all the costs and expenses for injury caused to a pilot except when it can be proved that the pilot was negligent.
Further to Bulletin 51 6/98 in relation to pollution matters in Singapore, we have been advised that in a recent minor oil spill during bunkering the court has ordered that it would not be acceptable for the ship's agent to represent the Master in court, due to the seriousness of the potential penalty - a maximum of S$ 500,000 (approx. US$ 297,900) or two years jail. As a consequence the Master has to attend in person - even though a guilty plea may have been been entered.
70 - 11/98 - Theft from Containers on Board
01/11/1998
We have recently had problems with a ship discharging scrap steel in Ambarli, Turkey. During discharge, problems were encountered which required an inspection of the cargo. This inspection revealed several shells, believed to be anti-tank ammunition, lying on top of the cargo. Whilst most appeared inert, one later was found to be a live practice round. Investigations are still continuing to try and verify the origin of the shells but it is not impossible that they might have been placed on board at the discharge port for ulterior motives. There have been recent reports of this type of thing happening with other scrap steel cargoes out of the former Soviet Union.
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.
59 - 07/98 - Sugar Problems - Worldwide
30/06/1998
We have been made aware of strict new attitudes of the Venezuelan authorities, especially the Institute of the Preservation of the Lake Maracaibo (ICLAM) and the Ministry of the Environment towards incidents where oil is spilt, or where ballast water is pumped into the sea, Lake Maracaibo or rivers.
Please refer also to Bulletin 15 - 09/97 - Oil Record Book Checking - Bremerhaven (Germany) and Bulletin 32 - 01/98 - Oil Record Book Checking (Fines) - Worldwide.