U.K. Detains 14 Ships During August

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) detained 14 foreign ships were under detention in U.K. ports during August 2003 after failing port state control safety inspection. Latest monthly figures show that 4 foreign ships were detained in UK ports during August 2003 along with 10 other ships still under detention from previous months. The overall rate of detentions compared with inspections carried out over the last 12 months is 7.2% which is a decrease of 0.2% on the detention rate to July. Three out of the four vessels detained during the month were registered with flags targeted by the Paris MOU. The ships detained in August included:- • an Albanian registered, 1105 GT, general cargo ship for 4 days due to ISM DOC and SMC expired and nautical charts and publications out of date. • an Estonian registered, 657 GT general cargo ship due to the poor condition of the ships hull structure. The ship is not classed and a total of 57 deficiencies were recorded prior to the inspection being suspended. • a St Vincent and Grenadines 22,372 GT bulk carrier for 7 days for lifeboats not properly maintained and not operationally ready, leaking breathing apparatus and a poor abandon ship drill, a total of 24 deficiencies were recorded.