Fire Safety Inspectors to Check 10,000 Ships Worldwide

Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) helps ship operators prepare for September 2012 concentrated PSC inspections.

The Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) by the Paris and the Tokyo Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on Port State Control (PSC) will run for three months and is designed to ensure compliance with SOLAS Chapter II-2, covering fire fighting arrangements onboard ships.

WSS Business Manager for Safety Products and Services Rob Chesters, says ship owners should make themselves aware of the equipment and related documentation to be assessed during regular onboard inspections.

“Inspectors will be looking not just at onboard fire safety arrangements but also maintenance records and documentation as well as crew familiarisation, which will be verified in compliance with SOLAS Chapter II-2,” says Chesters. “Defects in safety products are already among the most common causes of delays to vessels in port, so this campaign has big implications for our customers.”

“The Paris and Tokyo MOUs estimate that as many as 10,000 ships will be inspected in the next three months,” adds Chesters. “Where issues are found, the penalty can vary from recording the problem to a detention until the deficiency is rectified. It is vital that owners are prepared in advance so that they can stay compliant and keep sailing.”

To support its customers throughout the campaign, WSS is providing access to its new web catalogue for safety products which enable users to access and quickly download safety equipment instruction manuals and their certificates. WSS has also increased stocks of critical safety products and spares at key ports whilst the programme is in force.