During this hot climate I came on borad on 31st on March and found some usual things. There are some pictures attached. Fist of all this is – mooring ropes on the drums, this subject already discussed with Captains and crew, seconf of all (ISPS issue) – hose pipe forward, to be always closed when in port.  And the last one, very important, all fire boxes were tighted up weith a rope, so it was not possible to open and use it immediatelly. I really understood why it was like this, but guys from PSC would not.

So general condition of the vessel was good, and even with regards of Safety and security, inspite of some pictures above. Thank you captain and whole crew for good impressions.

Wetting is a serious matter, but can we avoid it? Yes we can, but it is always matter of safety and nowdays it is matter of the market as well. Some “good” charteres trying to play a dirty games, in case cargo is not ready, or berth occupied etc… Then they are trying to make a problem from nothing. But I have already learned this lesson and trying to avoid this thing. Even they have ”found”  something, it is always time to prove that we are doing all in proper way, or to create quick corrective / preventive actions and root causes analyses. I have created a blank form for quick action, and now it is much easier to react.

Anyway since last post, it was only one Right Ship Inspection, which we passed without deficiencies. Good luck all.

p.s On the picture you can find a ferry boat from Vietnam, which cames from former USSR, I think age is more then 35-40 years, but they are still using it.  Just have been there week ago with an audit for one of our vessel.

5. The razor wire to be installed around the vessel. The barbs on the wire are designed to have a piercing and gripping action. The Razor wire we have on board is the one of (linked spirals) – the best and most effective.

9. Four big placards (made from plywood) yellow painted with warning about HIGH VOLTAGE in Somali language to be hanging overboard “KHATAR Deyr Danab Koronto Sare (Xooggan)”

10. Two traps with two ropes (150 mtrs each) on each side and three ropes (50 mtrs each) from aft should be fabricated from 2pcs H-beam 120mm x 4mts and wire clips by welding at both sides of forecastle deck and installed aft of ladders leading to main deck on both sides, in order to catch propeller of pirate’s skiffs overboard motors (ropes are towed).

The Strategy of our anti-piracy protection:

Vessel has accommodation and bridge forward and Engine Room aft. Vessels main deck, poop deck and aft mooring deck are protected with barbed wire from sea side. Traps with two ropes (150 mtrs each) on each side and three ropes (50 mtrs each) from aft are installed in order to catch propeller of pirate’s skiffs overboard motors (ropes are towed).

In case if pirates will board vessel on main deck it will take time to enter accommodation.

In this case all crew and armed escort will be evacuated to protect Engine Room through the internal passage way (tunnel) on her port side. Three watertight doors on the tunnel will be locked and secured to make a good barrier on the way of pirate to the ER. All outside doors and Emergency escapes to Engine room are locked and secured from inside. It should take a time to enter ER from outside, even with special tools. The control of Main Engine will be switched to local control and Emergency stop buttons on bridge and wings are disabled (to avoid any control of ship’s movement by intruders). Vessel will be running on full speed maintaining general course 270 dgr, with local control of rudder from steering gear room (The idea to get away from pirates mother-ship).

The position of vessel will be controlled by GPS and remote ECDIS from ECR, we will post look outs from funnel. The electric illumination of accommodation will be cut after crew escape to ER. In case of pirates will break the door to Engine room (each entrance has a double-door or steel framed door): – Main Engine will be stopped, leaving Generators running (to provide ventilation to steering gear room).

- The electric illumination of Engine room will be cut off.

- Crew will be evacuated to Steering gear room (Final citadel)

Steering gear room has ventilation, one access – by automatic watertight door from engine room compartment and emergency access from aft mooring deck. Both doors will be locked from inside and masked (on deck with mooring ropes).

The means of communications from citadel – VHF 16, VHF 08 – only on short distance from aft part of the vessel. Password – *********.

So… Finally want to admit, that captain made a real good, job, and I am planning to sent his report to all of our vessels as a circular.

Wish you all a safe and secure passages

And finally… still looking for good employer. Will make a competition…. The headhunters agency or shipping company which will offer best job for me will get as bonus free position for the advertisement for THREE years on pages of this BLOG as well on other 20 websites.

And Merry Christmas….

Ok, let’ s back to our ships (shEEps). We are still getting some new buildings, and what is really strange that they all got a good charterer. Our department presently more concentrated on MLC 2006 issue.

Of course, since at the moment the majority of the Flag States did not ratify the convention, and as so, their national legislation for MLC (the DMLC Part I) is not available, there are still a number of questions which will only be answered when Flag States will ratify the MLC, and announce their requirements. In addition, ITF and CBA are at the moment not in line with all ILO MLC requirements.

Latest predications talk about ratification somewhere beginning of 2012, with entry into force one year later, though recent experiences indicate that there might be further delays.

Presently trying to fullfill all the requirement of another headache for shipping companies. Who has any ideas? You are welcome to chat…

Good day Sir,

Thank you for the information, however it is insufficient
for us to close the PSCI and recommend the vessel at this time. We find the root
cause analysis of the deficiencies does actually identify the cause of them,
therefore the preventative measures cannot be considered to be effective enough
to avoid a recurrence.

Please review and send a more detailed analysis
to …

I am trying to prove that I am not a horse right now to Right Ship
Will keep you informed.

P.S. Captains, try to avoid any deficiencies by PSC