The Liberia Maritime Authority (LISCR) issued a Marine Advisory to inform Shipowners, Operators and Masters that detentions in Australia are increasing. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has increased the number of Port State Control inspections and the number of detentions issued to ships calling on Australia. As there are a number of Liberian flagged ships which call on Australia, the number of detentions of Liberian vessels has increased accordingly. The AMSA is looking for pre-existing deficiencies that are not reported prior to a vessel’s arrival or at the time of their initial port State boarding. The increased scrutiny is resulting in a significant increase in AMSA detentions. If AMSA finds pre-existing deficiencies without first being notified by the Master and, if appropriate corrective action has not been initiated, AMSA will assume the owner/Master intends to sail with the deficiencies un- addressed and will issue a detention. Detentions are avoidable, provided pre-existing deficiencies are reported and there is evidence that corrective action has been initiated. We receive many pre-arrival check lists indicating all is in order, yet during the subsequent PSC inspection equipment is reported as not operating as required. Often these problems were pre-existing, known by the crew but there is no evidence that any corrective action was planned. Some examples of successful resolutions are provided at the end of this Advisory.
To avoid detention and delay of the vessel’s schedule the owners, operators, and DPA’s should:
•Require Master’s and crew to report all defective and/or inoperable equipment, system, etc., and ensure corrective action has been initiated, in accordance with the Safety Management System.
•Notify the Administration at prior to the vessels port call of any defective and/or inoperable equipment, system, etc., so we are aware and can assist by authorizing additional time for repair or other alternative action, if needed.
•Ensure the Administration at is copied on the vessel’s Advance Notice of Arrival (ANOA). •Ensure the accuracy of the pre arrival checklist submitted to .
The following are examples of pre-existing deficiencies that resulted in detentions in Australia which could have been avoided had they been reported in advance and corrective action initiated:
•Failure to report and take corrective action on existing defective, inoperable cargo hold ventilator covers, and/or gooseneck vents
. •Failure to report and take corrective action on existing defective sewage treatment plant.
•Failure to report and take corrective action on existing defective fire dampers,
•Failure to report and take corrective action on existing defective fire detection sensor.
•Failure to report and take corrective action on existing defective lifeboat, rescue boat and/or the on load release arrangement. •Failure to report and take corrective action on existing problems related to emergency generator.
•Failure to report and take corrective action on existing defective radio and communication equipment.
•Failure to report and take corrective action on existing defective Emergency fire pump.
•Failure to report and take corrective action on existing defective OWS.
In addition to defective equipment AMSA will detain a vessel if:
1.Required charts and navigational publications are missing or not up to date.
2.Provisions are not adequate.
3.Rest hours are not as required.
4.Vessel operator is behind in monthly payment to the crew.
5.The crew was not able to successfully demonstrate the operation of the: ◦OWS ◦ECDIS, and ◦Emergency fire pump
Recent success stories
•On 18 June 2015, we received a report that a 50,000 GT, container vessel, built in 1992, was calling on Sydney. The company had just taken over management and discovered several deficiencies: fuel oil purifier electric motor burnt out, lube oil purifier electric motor shaft bent, emergency generator not working properly, wing water ballast tank was leaking into the cargo hold, two auxiliary engine were leaking lube oil, another auxiliary engines was leaking cooling water , fire detection system with 9 faults indicated on the monitor and in progress of repair, cargo hold No.5 ventilation fan motor burnt out- waiting for spare, public address system not available, bow thruster out of order, and weather fax out of order. The Administration issued dispensations, provided guidance, and worked with the operator to inform AMSA. AMSA allowed the vessel operator to bring the vessel in to port. A flag state inspector attended to work with the surveyor and AMSA, and the vessel was not detained.
•On 2 July 2015, we received a report that a 90,000 GT, bulk carrier, built in 2015, was arriving in Australia with a defective emergency generator auto start on board. The company reported the defect to AMSA and the Administration along with a corrective action plan. The Administration provided a dispensation. The class surveyor on board reported to the Administration and AMSA, when the defect was corrected, and the vessel was not detained.
•On 2 July 2015, we received a report that 40,000 GT, container vessel, built in 2001 was arriving in Australia with the lifeboat falls overdue for renewal, the FPD not installed, and the X Band Radar not operational. The company reported the defect to AMSA and the Administration along with a corrective action plan. The Administration issued a dispensation. The class surveyor on board reported to the Administration and AMSA when the defect was corrected, and the vessel was not detained.
Source: LISCR
