A focussed inspection campaign was conducted by AMSA surveyors from 1 March to 31 May 2007. These inspections were conducted in conjunction with regular port State control inspections.
The campaign focus was decided upon due to an increase in accidents, including fatalities, noted by us as having occurred both internationally and in Australia during mooring operations and general deck work.
The aim of the campaign was primarily to raise awareness of safety issues relating to mooring equipment and procedures, although PSC action could still be taken where issues were noted that required immediate attention.
We also endeavoured to encourage operators to critically assess the level of maintenance of mooring equipment in order to ensure its continuing fitness for use. This is particularly relevant when utilising harbour tugs that have varying capacities that may impact upon the ship arrangements.
The inspections referenced MSC.Circ 1175 extensively, which is a document giving guidelines for implementing the new regulations of SOLAS Chapter II-I Regulation 3 created by MSC Resolution 194(80). These new regulations apply only to ships newly constructed after 1 January 2007. But the majority of the provisions are easily implemented by older ships and were presented as best practice during the campaign.
AMSA surveyors inspected 747 ships during the course of the campaign and recorded 62 deficiencies on 36 ships—none of which warranted a ships detention.
Read more about detained ships and compliance issues identified by AMSA surveyors.