UK Detains 26 Ships

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) announced that 26 foreign ships were under detention in UK ports during March 2004 after failing Port State Control safety inspection.

Latest monthly figures show that 20 foreign ships were detained in UK ports during March 2004 along with 6 other ships still under detention from previous months. This contrasts with only 4 ships detained in February. The overall rate of detentions compared with inspections carried out over the last 12 months is 6.3% which is an increase of 0.3% on the detention rate to February. Half of the ships detained in March were targeted by the Paris MOU for priority inspection.

The ships detained in March included the following:

* a Liberian, 5320 GT, 1983, reefer for 5 days in Sheerness. A total of 39 deficiencies were recorded, including charts not corrected, fire dampers inoperative, NUC lights missing and total failure of on board safety management system

* a Brazilian, 27123 GT, 1983, bulk carrier for 24 days in Tilbury with 16 recorded deficiencies. Fire dampers inoperative, hydrants, hoses and nozzles defective, nautical publications out of date and extensive deck corrosion requiring renewal of steel work. Deficiencies indicate failure of on board safety management system. Class suspended and ship released for one off voyage to Rotterdam for repair

* a Cypriot, 10944 GT, 1985, oil tanker for 3 days following mandatory expanded inspection in Hull. Deficiencies included non compliance with SOLAS requirement for double sheathed HP fuel pipes and unsatisfactory fire and abandon ship drill with lack of communication and poor response from crew

* a St Vincent Grenadines, 475 GT, 1978, refrigerated cargo ship for 2 days in Aberdeen. Deficiencies included charts and nautical publications out of date, crew working in excess of maximum hours allowed under ILO178, no schedule of work and no record of hours/rest being maintained, no flag State endorsements for mater and officers.

* a Bahamas, 2026 GT, 1993, general cargo ship for overloading in Glasgow. The winter loadline mark was submerged 13 centimetres after allowing for dock water density. Ship allowed to sail following discharge of excess cargo.