Selected items from compilation of Intership Navigation Training Center. Issue 21 / 2010

1. CASUALTY WEBRIEF

Aframax M/T BUNGA KELANA 3 (Malaysia, 105784dwt) in TSS Singapore Strait was struck by M/V WAILY (St.Vincent & G, 25488dwt), 13 miles SE of Changi, 25-May-2010. The tanker’s hull was punctured spilling some 2,500 tons of crude oil into the sea. Close to hundred personnel and 20 response vessels were on site as part of the containment and clean up efforts. Oil dispersants, c-booms, 2 skimmers are being used.  About 200 persons are at standby for coastline clean-up.

M/V DUBAI MOON (Panama, 3276dwt) capsized and sank between Socotra I and Somalia during bad weather, 20-May-2010. HMS CHATHAM (UK);S helicopter rescued 23 seamen.

Pass cruiser DEUTSCHLAND (Germany, with 364 passengers + 241 crewmembers and 2 pilots, had fire in the engine room while docked in Eidfjord, Norway, 23-May-2010. Rescuers evacuated the tourists and crew. No injury was reported after the fire was entinguished.

M/V KATSU MARU NO. 8 (Japan) ran into the rocks near Huga Miyasaki, in strong winds, 23-May-2010. Three crewmen died.

M/V SHUN ANXING (S.Korea) with about 4000 tons cargo of stones bound for Hai Phong, with 19-crew,  sank after encountering heavy waves off Hon Dau Island, 14-May-2010. All crewmembers were rescued. Oil leaked out from the vessel causing about one mile oil slick heading for shore.

Chem. M/T ONARFJELL (Panama, 3700dwt)’ crew quarters were severely damaged by fire, north of Smola near Kr.Sund, 24-May-2010. Thirteen crewmembers have been taken to hospital.

2. PORT STATE CONTROL (PSC)–The Paris MOU adopts a new Inspection Regime

Paris MOU on PCS held its 43^rd Committee meeting in Dublin, 10 to 14-May-2010. The meeting adopted the “New Inspection Regime” (NIR) which will enter into force 1-Jan-2011 w/c will replace the existing PSC system. The NIR is a risk based targeting mechanism, which will reward quality ships with a smaller inspection burden and concentrate on high-risk ships, which will be subject to more in-depth and more frequent inspection. The NIR makes use of the company performance and the voluntary Member State audit scheme for identifying the risk profile of ships together with the performance of the flag State and recognized organization. The past inspection record of the ship as well as the ship’s age and type will influence the targeting. The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) draft guidelines for PSC Officers in respect to PSC requirements are considered.

3. PIRACY

EU NAVFOR warship/ amphibious HLMNS JOHAN DE WITT at the Somali coast, effectively blocks known pirate camp from access to the open sea. Coordinating with EU NAVFOR HQ warship CARLSKRONA it provides surveillance/ reconnaissance patrols, 25-May-2010.

M/V NORDNEPTUN (Oldendorff, 75000dwt) was fired upon by pirates about 8 miles E of Zanzibar, Tanzania. The manoeuvres prevented the vessel being boarded until the arrival of an EU NAVFOR warship NIVOSE’s helicopter, at which point the skiffs backed off. No injury. 25-May-2010.

NORD SINCERE (Panama, 28400dwt) was attacked by a number of skiffs near the equator about 1600 miles east of Somalia, 20-May-2010. The bulker escaped as a naval ship rushed to the ship.

Tugboat ATLANTIC 3 (Malaysia) and its towed barge Atlantic 5, which were reported hijacked in Indonesia waters recently were apprehended in Gen Santos by the Philippine Coast Guards (PCG), 20-May-2010. The vessels were apparently in the process of altering their ship’s descriptions by defacing names on hull, ship’s documents, machineries and IMO numbers.

4. Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI

1-July-2010 the limits applicable in Sulphur Emission Control Areas (SECAs) will be 1.00% (10,000 ppm); 1-January-2012 the global sulphur cap will be reduced to 3.50% (35,000 ppm);

1-January-2015 the sulphur limitation applicable in Emission Control Areas (SECAs) will be 0.10% (1,000 ppm): 1-January-2020 the global sulphur cap will be reduced to 0.50% (5000 ppm).

Reductions in NOx emissions for “Tier II” marine engines installed on a ship constructed on or after 1 January 2011 to 14.4 g/kWh (currently 17.0 g/kWh); and with the most stringent controls for “Tier III” engines installed on ships constructed on or after 1 January 2016, operating in Nox Emission Control Areas.

Existing diesel engines with a power output of more than 5,000 kW and a displacement per cylinder at or above 90 liters installed on a ship constructed or after 1 January 1990 but prior to 1 January 2000, will have comply with the “Tier I” emission limit (17.0 g/kW) when Approved Methods for the engines are available and certified.

5. POLLUTION CASE

Chem. M/T KERIM (Marshall I, 16150dwt)’s operator pleaded guilty in US court in Tampa, Florida for two counts of felony for knowingly failing to fully and accurately maintain an oil record book, which tracks pollutant discharge. (US DOJ News Release 21-May-2010). The company was sentenced to pay $725,000 fine, serve 3 years of probation and implement an environmental compliance plan.