The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Shipping Federation (ISF) have published a new edition of their widely used ‘Guidelines on the Application of the IMO International Safety Management (ISM) Code’ with additional guidance on risk management, safety culture and environmental management.
The ICS/ISF Secretary General, Tony Mason, explained that “On 1st July, the latest amendments to the ISM Code will enter into force. Anticipating these changes, and in order to take account of other experience gained since the ISM Code first become mandatory, ICS and ISF have published a new edition of their definitive Guidelines.’
The first edition of the ICS/ISF Guidelines was published in 1993 and proved an invaluable tool for the majority of the world’s shipping companies as they prepared for the introduction of the then radical new regime. As well as continuing to provide a standard resource for those who need to be familiar with ISM, the revised Guidelines take full account of the latest guidance to administrations and companies that has subsequently been developed by IMO.
In particular, additional guidance has been included on the maintenance of Safety Management Systems, which are at the heart of the ISM Code’s objectives, and on the role of the Designated Person Ashore who provides the key link between the ship and shore based management. A new analysis is included of why accidents happen, and expanded advice is provided on risk management and on the operation of a ‘safety culture’, in order that companies can fulfil the spirit, as well as the letter, of the ISM Code’s requirements.
“It is important to remember that the full title of the ISM Code is the ‘International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention” said Mr Mason.
“While safety of life at sea must always be the first priority, the important role of the SMS in preventing marine pollution must not be overlooked. Our new edition therefore places additional emphasis on environmental management.”
The Guidelines also consider the potential for linkage between ISM systems and the need to reduce fuel consumption, using Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plans that have been adopted by IMO, on a voluntary basis, in order to reduce CO2 emissions.
Mr Mason added that “the essential purpose of the ISM Code is to instil a commitment to continuous improvement and the eradication of behavioural complacency. It is clear that many companies have benefited significantly from the successful implementation of the ISM Code. Other companies, however, while complying with ISM requirements, may still not yet have realised the Code’s full potential to make their operations safer, cleaner, and more efficient. The underlying principle of ISM is to help achieve the ultimate goal of zero accidents and zero pollution. It is greatly hoped that the new edition of the ICS/ISF Guidelines will contribute to the fulfilment of this vital objective.”
The ICS is the principal international trade association for shipowners. ISF is the principal international maritime employers’ organisation.
The membership of ICS and ISF comprises national shipowners’ associations from 34 countries, representing all sectors and trades in the global industry and over 75% of the world merchant fleet
In Sandiego, $3Million Narcotics Shipments Intercepted At Otay Mesa, Calexico Ports
Federal customs and border officers seized thousands of pounds of illegal narcotics at entry points in Imperial and San Diego counties over the weekend.
In the largest single shipment, more than 9,000 pounds of pot was found inside a gondola connected to a commercial rail shipment car at the Calexico downtown port entry.
In happened in the afternoon of Friday last week when the train coming from Mexico passed by members of the port’s Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team (A-TCET). An x-ray scan detected "anomalies" in the gondola that prompted officers to take a closer look.
An intense search with assistance from trained canines turned up 352 wrapped packages under layers of glass, dirt and wood in the railcar, a CBP spokesman said. Ten more packages were found in another railcar.
The drugs, with an estimated street value of more than $9 million, were confiscated, while the shipment of glass, dirt, and wood was returned to Mexico.
Earlier that same afternoon, a Mexican man, 42, entered the Otay Mesa cargo facility in a 2000 Freightliner tractor. He described the cargo as dry sea shells.
An x-ray exam of the rig prompted officers to unload the shipment. The subsequent search turned up packages hidden within the bags of sea shells, one containing a green leafy substance, while another held a crystal-like substance, authorities said.
The search eventually yielded 203 wrapped packages of pot weighing 2,435 pounds and 50 packages of methamphetamine weighing 150 pounds. The total estimated street value was set at more than $3 million.
The driver was booked into the Metropolitan Correctional Center.
At the same port the next morning, a Tijuana man, 48, pulled into the station in a ’94 Toyota pickup hauling wooden furniture.
An x-ray and canine search prompted officers to conduct a more thorough exam which led to the illegal drugs hidden in the furniture. In all, authorities found 151 wrapped packages of pot weighing 467 pounds and valued at $233,500 hidden in the furniture.
During an inspection, officers found $20,300 in undeclared cash inside a speaker box and another $1,935 on the three occupants of the vehicle.
SHIP TALK:
A GLOSSARY OF MARITIME AND SHIPPING TERMS
LASH: These 900-foot-long ships carry small barges inside the vessel. LASH stands for Lighter Aboard Ship. Just as cargo is transported by barge from the shallower parts of the Mississippi River to the Port of New Orleans for export aboard ocean-going ships, LASH barges are lifted into these unusual ships. Overseas, the ship can discharge clusters of barges in the open waters. Then several towboats will assemble the barges into tows bound for various ports and inland waterways, without the ship having to spend time traveling to each port.
LONGSHOREMEN: Dock workers who load and unload ships, or perform administrative tasks associated with the loading or unloading of cargo. They may or may not be members of labor unions. Longshore gangs are hired by stevedoring firms to work the ships. Longshoremen are also called stevedores.
MANIFEST: The ship captain’s list of individual goods that make up the ship’s cargo.
MARINE SURVEYOR: Person who inspects a ship hull or its cargo for damage or quality.
MASTER: The officer in charge of the ship. "Captain" is a courtesy title often given to a master.
PALLET: A short wooden, metal or plastic platform on which package cargo is placed and then handled by a forklift truck.
PIER: A structure which just out into a waterway from the shore, for mooring vessels and cargo handling. It is sometimes called a finger pier.
RO/RO: Short for roll on/roll/off. A ro/ro ship is designed with ramps that can be lowered to the dock so cars, buses, trucks or other vehicles can drive into the belly of the ship, rather than be lifted aboard. A ro/ro ship, like a container ship, has a quick turnaround time of about 12 hours.
STRADDLE CARRIER: Container terminal equipment, which is motorized and runs on rubber tires. It can straddle a single row of containers and is primarily used to move containers around the terminal, but also to transport containers to and from the transtainer and load/unload containers from truck chassis.
STRIPPING: The process of removing cargo from a container.
SAFETY 2
LATEST PIRACY REPORT (As at June 10, 2010)
10.06.2010: 0145 LT: Posn: 03:12.8N – 108:30.1E: Off Pulau Subi Kecil, South China Sea.
Duty officer spotted a speed boat on radar trailing it at distance of 2 nm. Ship enforced all anti piracy measures to prevent the boarding, made evasive manoeuvres, sent warning to all ships in the area by VHF Ch.16. Due to vigilant and effective anti piracy preventive measures the pirates aborted the attempt.
07.06.2010: 1030 UTC: Posn: 13:23N – 042:46E, Red Sea.
Pirates in two skiffs chased and fired upon a chemical tanker underway with intent to hijack. They attempted to board the tanker using ladder. Tanker took evasive manoeuvres and finally managed to evade the hijacking. One of the skiffs colour was green and the other is white.
03.06.2010: 0820 LT: Posn: 12:17N – 044:11E: Gulf of Aden.
Armed pirates in five skiffs approached a bulk carrier underway. Ships activated general alarm mustered crew and made evasive manoeuvres. The pirates attempted to board the vessel twice in three hours time. Later, as the vessel approached the Bab el Mandeb straits the pirates aborted the attempt.
04.06.2010: 0315 LT: Posn: 12:17.3N – 100:45.7E: Thailand.
Robbers in a speed boat boarded a general cargo ship underway. Alarm raised, crew mustered, fire hoses activated. Crew found one boat tied up to the aft bollard. The rope was immediately cut and the boat drifted away. Two robbers were found and detained by the crew. Later another boat hooked itself onto a pad eye on the hull. The detained robbers were allowed to climb down into the boat and leave the ship.
04.06.2010: 1510 UTC: Posn: 13:21N – 042:48E: Southern Red Sea (Gulf of Aden)
Two white hulled boats with six pirates in boat approached a general cargo underway. Master took evasive action, raised general alarm, mustered all crew and activated fire hoses. The pirates aborted the attempted attack.
02.06.2010: 0500 LT: Posn: 12:35.91N – 043:30.18E: Bab el Mandeb straits (Gulf of Aden).
A white hulled boat with four armed pirates approached a chemical tanker underway. The security team onboard the tanker fired warning shots in the air resulting in the pirates aborting the attempted attack.
02.06.2010: 0300 UTC: Posn: 21:29.7N – 059:41.03E: 73nm NE of Masirah island, (Omani waters) off Somalia.
One white hulled skiff with pirates armed with machine gun chased a container ship underway. The ship increased speed and enforced anti piracy and escaped the attack.
02.06.2010: 0400 UTC: Posn: 13:45N – 050:18E: Gulf of Aden.
Six pirates armed with RPG hijacked a general cargo ship and took her 24 crew members hostage. Vessel currently sailing towards Somali coast.
MEND Demands $1.5 Million Ransom For Abducted Sailors
Nigerian militants are demanding a $1.5 million ransom for the release of two Russian sailors abducted from a ship at a Cameroon port last month.
The North Spirit vessel with a Russian-Ukrainian crew and owned by Greece’s Balthellas Chartering S.A., was attacked May 16 while anchored in Cameroon’s largest port of Douala, the Jour newspaper reported.
“The hostages will not be released until the ship owners pay $1.5 million,” the newspaper said, citing a local militant called Perewei.
The attackers, who are from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), are holding Russian captain Boris Tersintsev and chief engineer Igor Shumik hostage in Nigeria.
The newspaper also said the militants forced Tersintsev to get in touch with the ship’s owners and tell them how badly they are being treated.
According to the captain, they are being held in a mangrove forest without clean drinking water.
We recall that about 20 armed people boarded the vessel in the evening of May 16 when the ship was off the Douala port. They disabled shipborne navigational equipment and took away the shipmaster and chief engineer.
A private security official had told The Associated Press shortly after that the attack on the MV North Spirit occurred as the ship which was filled with fertiliser and Soya beans was anchored off of Cameroon’s commercial capital, Douala.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to the media confirmed that “about 20 pirates stole the ship’s equipment and the sailors’ personal belongings during the assault on Sunday”.
MV SELI 1 Catches Fire, But Salvage Crew Rescued
A salvage team was working on the vessel which went aground near Bloubergstrand and it is thought that sparks from a welding torch ignited flammable material. The blaze quickly spread through the accommodation quarters, forcing those on board to move near the ship’s bows until rescue teams from Cape Town could lift them off the ship. There were no injuries.
And in response to the accident, South Africa’s National Sea Rescue Institute issued the following report concerning the ship.
At approximately 15h00 NSRI Melkbosstrand were activated following reports of a fire broken out on the SELI 1 wreck lying off-shore of Bloubergstrand (Seli 1 ran aground 9 months ago).
NSRI Melkbosstrand dispatched a rescue craft and a rescue vehicle to the scene to investigate.
NSRI Table Bay, the Metro Ambulance and Rescue Services, Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services, Cape Town Traffic Services, Disaster Management, the SA Police Services, Metro Police and the Police Dive Unit were activated after it was confirmed that the aft of Seli 1 was ablaze.
NSRI Table Bay dispatched the rescue craft Spirit of Vodacom.
The Metro Red Cross AMS helicopter was placed on alert and the Discovery Medicopter was dispatched to give an aerial assessment and to investigate if there were persons aboard.
It was confirmed that 24 people were on-board and the Transnet National Ports Authority dispatched the vessel NORTH STAR and on arrival on-scene all 24 people were taken off the ship safely and they were transferred aboard the NSRI Spirit of Vodacom and brought into the Table Bay Port. None of the 24 crew was injured and required no medical attention.
It appears that the 24 men on board of the vessel were part of an authorised salvage team using cutting equipment to remove steel as part of the SAMSA (South African Maritime Safety Authority) ongoing effort to strip the wreck.
It is suspected that a fire broke out during work being done on the vessel and after it was ascertained that the fire could not be controlled the work crew moved away from the fire by moving forward on the deck and out of harm’s way. It has been confirmed that they were well away from any imminent danger when they were picked up by the vessel North Star.
Shortly after the men were removed from the vessel emergency response teams were released from the scene and a small contingent of emergency vehicles from Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services remained on the land side to continue to monitor the blaze but no efforts were employed to fight the blaze and the wreck was expected to burn out naturally. This situation will continue to be monitored by City Authorities.
There is reportedly no immediate environmental impact expected and only small amounts of coal are reportedly still on the vessel which poses no immediate threat.
Small explosions occurred during the early part of the blaze and these explosions may continue and are suspected to be related to the type of cutting equipment that was being used by salvers but which reportedly pose no immediate threat.
Sightseers have been asked to keep a safe distance and paddlers, boaters and surfers were requested to not approach the vessel while it continued to burn.
A dedicated water borne police was deployed to usher any boaters or paddlers (who get too close to the vessel) away for safety reasons.
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