Port State
Report: The State of U.S. Port State Control
(Photo: U.S. Coast Guard. CLICK PICTURE to go to the 27-page Report) The U.S. Coast Guard released its report on Port State Control in the United States. In addition to its usual analysis of boardings of foreign vessels calling in U.S. ports, this year’s report introduces the application of marine security principles into the port state control regime. Owners, operators, flag administrations, and recognized security organizations should take heed. (HK Law).
EMSA Launches RuleCheck Port State Control System
EMSA has launched RuleCheck, which is a system to enable ship inspections in ports to be undertaken more efficiently and effectively. Over time, the international rules governing port state control (PSC) related ship inspections have become more and more complex. RuleCheck makes the inspector’s job easier, by clearly showing the different rules that apply to a selected ship at the time of an inspection. RuleCheck was developed under a contract with the Korean Register of
LR Debuts Marine Fire Safety Pocket Checklist
Lloyd’s Register, in conjunction with the P&I Club, has produced the Marine Fire Safety Pocket Checklist to help reduce incidents at sea and the risk of Port State Control (PSC) detentions. Lloyd’s Register and the UK Club have analysed deficiencies found by PSC inspectors in ports worldwide over the three-year period. They have related these to their own experienced observations and developed a reusable checklist to help crew members pre-empt and manage the risk of fire more
ISF Disappointment at Slow Implementation of ILO 185
The International Shipping Federation (ISF), which represents maritime employers globally, says that the low level of implementation of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 185, concerning the facilitation of shore leave and crew transits, is a continuing source of disappointment. Speaking in Manila this week, at a seminar organized by the International Federation of Shipmasters' Associations (IFSMA), ISF Director of Employment Affairs, Natalie Shaw
Crew Leave Transit Visa Hassles Disappoint ISF
The International Shipping Federation (ISF) concerned at low implementation levels of ILO Convention 185. Speaking in Manila, at a seminar organised by the International Federation of Shipmasters' Associations (IFSMA), ISF Director of Employment Affairs, Natalie Shaw, explained that the ILO Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention (ILO 185) - which ISF helped to negotiate on behalf of employers in 2003 - was adopted as part of a package of measures following the terrorist attacks in
Cruise Ships Under Special 2013 MoU Scrutiny
The Paris MoU Port State Control Committee's Harmonized Verification Programme (HAVEP) on passenger ship operational safety controls will last throughout 2013. Steamship Mutual advises its members to prepare for Port State Control Inspections, pointing out that passenger ferries and passenger high-speed craft are excluded from the HAVEP. During the HAVEP, Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) will witness an operational control comprising a standard emergency scenario which will include a
Agencies Respond to Florida Oil Spill
Federal, state and local agencies are responding to an oil spill on the Nassau River, Fla., at the Nassau Terminal in Fernandina, Fla., after a 6,297-gross ton ship spilled an unknown amount of oil into the River. The Seaboard Rio Haina was loading containers on to its deck while it was adjusting its ballast to keep the vessel properly trimmed. One of the ballast tanks overflowed spilling water and an unknown amount of fuel oil on to the deck of the ship and into the river
A Call For Doubling Up On Port Inspectors
The proposed blanket ban by the Commission on ships over 15 years old which have been detained twice over the preceding two years is also criticized by the AMRIE paper on the grounds that it would unfairly penalize many ships do not pose a risk. While the AMRIE report broadly welcomes the Commission's proposals on Port State Control, it would prefer to see a comprehensive examination on all ships which have been detained twice in two years, involving her flag state
Feeder Ports for Marine Inspector Training
The US Coast Guard issued an ALCOAST (All Coast Guard Message) designating 18 Sectors and Marine Safety Units as “Feeder Ports” to be utilized for training of new marine safety and security personnel. The designation recognizes that these units have a sufficiently diverse workload and volume to allow for training in at least four of the 17 marine inspection and port state control examination competencies, as well as sufficient experienced staff to provide mentoring. (2/11/09)
Foreign-flag Ship Detentions in UK
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) detained 9 ships in UK ports during December 2012 after they failed Port State Control (PSC) inspection. Latest monthly figures show that there were five new detentions of foreign flagged vessels in UK ports during December 2012 and four vessels remained under detention from previous months. Only three vessels remained under detention at the end of December. The overall rate of detentions compared with inspections carried out over the last twelve
Lloyd's Offers ISM and the DPA Training
Lloyd’s Register offers in-depth knowledge of the role and responsibilities of the DPA. Attendees of this course will gain the knowledge and skills required by the IMO MSC-MEPC7 / circ.6 (October 19, 2007). The two-day course was designed to provide the knowledge and skills required in
Engine Room Water Mist System Warning
The Club advises of US PSC detentions of vessels where water mist systems have been found disabled or otherwise left in an inoperable condition. The detentions follow inspections by Port State Control (PSC) where the system water supply valve has been found in the “closed” position
IMO to Shed Light on HME Disposal Confusion
Guidance circular to be issued for ships calling at ports without reception facilities for Harmful to the Marine Environment (HME) waste, including Hold Washing Water (HWW). Shipowners pleas for greater clarity on what to do when there are no adequate port reception facilities to receive residues
Intertanko Applauds IMO Progress on Ballast Water Management
In line with the Intertanko-led joint proposal last year, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has agreed to a rescheduling of the International Ballast Water Management Convention implementation dates, which will smooth the installation scheduling for ships installing ballast water
Maritime Labor Convention 2006 and the U.S.
The Maritime Labor Convention 2006, sponsored by the International Labor Organization (ILO) and better known as MLC 2006, will enter into force on August 20, 2013. It has been ratified by 35 nations as of the date of the preparation of this article, including Australia, Canada, Denmark
UKHO to Hold ECDIS Workshops in Singapore
The United Kingdom (UKHO) Hydrographic Office announced its plans for a series of ECDIS Workshops during the Sea Asia 2013 Conference in Singapore. These free-to-attend workshops will present the “Admiralty Guide to policy and procedures for the operational use of ECDIS” which will
Armed Private Security Guards: Malta-flag Issues Advisory
Shipping Notice 106 to owners of ships registered in Malta is outlined here as an example of one flag-state's action to control the use of private guards. The shipping notice advises that all applications to carry Privately Contracted Armed Security Personnel (PCASP) shall be accompanied
Martek Releases Updated iECDIS
Martek Marine will launch its iECDIS with built-in GSM mobile connectivity technology. iECDIS provides wireless updates ranging from simple daily Notices to Mariners to the full chart downloads required each month by law. This is the first ECDIS system which doesn’t rely on physical disc
Maltese Freighter Captain Pleads Guilty in U.S. Federal Court
The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Oregon, announced that the Vessel Master of the Adfines East plead guilty to operating a commercial vessel under the influence of alcohol in the Port of Portland. Valeriy Sharykin, 62, a Russian citizen
New Gas Detector from Martek
Maritime safety equipment innovator, Martek Marine, has released a MED-certified portable gas detector that can be easily and safely recalibrated onboard, providing tamperproof certification to meet the many regulations governing detector calibration.
Key Salvage Issues for 2013 – and Beyond…
This is a good time to look aft and reflect on the accomplishments achieved in 2012, as well as to the distant horizon to see what challenges loom in 2013, and beyond. It is fair to say that the Coast Guard and salvage industry have come a long way in the last few years with implementation of a
Unpaid Crew Wages: New Seacurus Insurance
Seacurus has launched a new insurance policy to indemnify seafarers in the event of the financial default of their employers. CrewSEACURE is a new insurance product now available to all employers of seafarers required to satisfy new regulatory obligations under the Maritime Labour Convention 2006
ABS Reports Continued Growth in 2012
ABS hosted its Annual Meeting in New York on April 23, 2013. ABS Chairman, Robert D. Somerville reported that, "despite the uncertainties of the global economy and of the shipping and offshore markets, ABS turned in yet another record performance."
ECDIS Training Receives ClassNK Certification
ClassNK has certified the Type Specific ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System) training course provided by Iino Marine Service Busan Co., Ltd., an affiliate of Iino Marine Service Co., Ltd. ClassNK Executive Vice President Koichi Fujiwara presented the certificate to Capt
Videotel Launches Flag State Admin System
Videotel launched a new training software program, Videotel webFSA, at IMO STW 44. A sophisticated Flag State Administration Training and Record Management system, Videotel webFSA, provides Member States with the assistance they need to meet the forthcoming IMO requirement for a global quality