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Visit Our website at WWW.SHIPTALK.COM Dear Shiptalk Readers, Welcome to this the January 2008 edition of the Shiptalk newsletter. We trust our readers enjoyed their festive break and being mindful of the toll such festivities can have on the grey matter we have tried to keep the January '08 edition of our newsletter as light hearted as possible as you ease yourselves into the new year. Please feel free to send us your comments on any of the issues we raise and any subjects you would like to see covered in more detail through 2008. Happy New Year!Shiptalk.com……reading you loud and clear
SHIPTALKIMAGES.COM ShiptalkIMAGES.com provides media companies with a helpful image resource for the design and development of online and print media projects for maritime based companies and organisations. Alternatively marine companies may be creating internal documents that would benefit from the use of good imagery, or publicists who need to bring their stories to life with relevant imagery. We are sure we can provide you with the image you have been looking for so not why not drop us an image enquiry at enquiries@shiptalkimages.com and we will see what we can do for you. Ice Class - Courtesy of Dmitry L
 LEGAL If any of the following “red flags” are discovered by the Coast Guard during a Port State Control Inspection without a bona-fide explanation for the same, a criminal investigation can, and will more than likely be triggered:
This advice is taken from the recently published Shiptalk Legal Guide – “Oil & Water and expensive mix – What you need to know about U.S. Criminal Liability”, by George M.Chalos. Oil and Water – An Expensive Mix , is a must read for any one starting their career at sea deck officers and engineers already at sea, superintendents, vessel operators/managers and their insurers. For full details of how to purchase this helpful pocket sized legal guide please go to www.shiptalkshop.com
Having spent many a happy afternoon strolling around people's cabins checking out lifejackets and laughing at the pictures of unfortunate looking wives and girlfriends (some even in the same picture) on the bulkheads, we weren't surprised to see a recent call for action on a forgotten menace. A letter in the December issue of The Nautical Institute Seaways journal, called for urgent action to address a terrifying hazard lurking beyond the ship's rail (and no, we're not talking about the third Engineers fiancé)…we're talking about sharks! In the letter it was stressed that when people are forced to abandon ship in shark infested waters there is no means of protection – a case in September demonstrated this, when around 14 crew from the MV Mia were eaten by sharks after the vessel sank off The Philippines. So the letter called for lifejackets and lifebuoys to be fitted with shark repellent in order to at least give crew in the water a chance of survival when sharks appear. Having watched enough Discovery Channel shows to qualify for a degree in shark behavioural psychology, we know just how darned excited these killing machines get by the scent of blood, and by any hullabaloo in the water…exactly the cocktail a ship sinking or a man overboard creates. However, researchers say they finally have found a potent repellent to drive away sharks, after testing off the Bahamas . If proven effective, the repellent one-day might protect crews from shark attacks if fitted to lifejackets. The repellent is derived from extracts of dead sharks, as fishermen and scientists have long noted sharks stay away if they smell a dead shark, which seems sensible… “We have something that really works, but research remains,” said Samuel Gruber, a University of Miami marine biologist and shark expert, and tests have found the repellent effective on three species: the Caribbean reef, blacknose and lemon sharks. A dose of 4 fluid ounces is enough to scare away feeding sharks, Stroud said, keeping them away from a fish head for two hours with just a few drops per minute. Repellent research began in World War II, when the U.S. Navy created “Shark Chaser” for sailors and downed pilots. Mixed with black dye, it was made of copper acetate, which scientists thought would smell like a rotting shark. Studies, and hundreds of eaten sailors, showed it didn't work. With this new break through, in addition to the whistle, light and retro reflective strips, we may one day see small canisters of “shark scarer” attached to various pieces of lifesaving apparatus…sure beats trying to bop them on the nose!
When it comes to measuring the true effects of collisions and oil spills on the local flora and fauna, it takes a rather more scientific approach than simply shovelling up dead cormorants, or scrubbing seagulls with your brother's Oral B. In the wake of the Cosco Busan/San Francisco Bay Bridge accident, a spill that released 58,000 gallons of oil into the waters, the bodies of birds, seals and raccoons washed up onto local beaches are being stored in laboratory freezers ready for full autopsies to see whether the ship spill is to blame for their deaths. Samples of their oil-soaked fur and feathers, crucial evidence in any crime investigation, will be used to build a multi-million dollar damage claim against the owners of the ship. The forensic chemists are painstakingly comparing the unique "fingerprints" of oil samples — one from the ship's fuel tank, and others from collected samples, with the goal of finding a match. "If we confirm a source, we have a responsible party," said chemist Susan Sugarman of the lab, overseen by the Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR). Scientific verification of the source of the oil is legally critical in order to hold ship owners responsible for damages to wildlife, habitats and recreational areas. The lab's work will also document the type and extent of damage done to pristine habitats, and eventually a price tag will be placed on these damages. This will then be the basis of a civil claim to be filed by OSPR against the Cosco Busan's owner. The eventual financial settlement will reportedly, “pay for restored and replaced habitats, turning these creatures' losses into gains for those that survived” according to the local media. "We'll document the full impact," said Stephen L. Sawyer, assistant chief counsel at the Department of Fish and Game. "And we'll make sure that the responsible party pays what they should be paying." OSPR investigators don't care about the cause of the accident, or whose fault it was. They aren't seeking fines or penalties, just the money to repair the environment. "The law is clear: You break it, you buy it" said Steve Hampton, an OSPR economist. "If you're the owner, you're responsible." While much of the local wildlife may have suffered it certainly looks like the vultures are gathering overhead…
The new Australian government has taken Japanese plans to hunt, ahem, sorry “research” whales in the Southern Ocean rather seriously, and is vowing to closely monitor the whalers using a specially chartered ice-classed vessel. The “Oceanic Viking” has been used to chase Patagonian toothfish poachers in the past and will have a civilian crew from P&O. The commercial vessel has a reinforced hull to tackle ice, a crew trained for polar conditions, surveillance equipment…oh and two 50-caliber machine-guns. Images and video footage taken by the ship would be subsequently used in international court action against the whalers. "The bottom line is you have got to get close to really see what is going on," a source said, and it seems that is exactly what the Aussies intend to do, as Australia's new Labour Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, accused the former regime of doing nothing to save the endangered whales. Despite the heavy armament the intention is simply to observe and not to engage the Japanese – and in sending a commercial vessel it is felt less likely to trigger an international incident than following them with the might of the RAN. The Japanese really do appear to have a rather bizarre and complex relationship with these majestic marine mammals. They eat them, they infuriate and exasperate the rest of the world because of them (well apart from the odd Viking), and then at Christmas time at Hakkeijima Sea Paradise on Yokohama Island they dress up Beluga Whales in little Santa hats. Jeez you guys just leave the poor whales alone, step away from the cetacean…a whale is for life not for Christmas headwear, you shouldn't eat them and you certainly shouldn't hunt them in the name of science.
Piracy has been quite a talking point lately, especially as Britain reportedly suffered its first pirate attack in nearly two centuries last year. The “attack” took place as the ship was alongside in Liverpool . Two men disguised as dockers attempted to board the vessel, however the raid was rumbled when the gangway watch saw the two men acting “suspiciously” on the dockside. When the pair did try to board they were confronted and asked for ID, and after failing to produce any, made off down the gangway. One was arrested, but his partner escaped. The ship's owner reported the raid to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), and it was recorded as an “attempted pirate attack”, making it the first recorded incident to hit the UK since the 1820's. An IMB spokesman was quoted in the press (The Sun if you must know) as saying, “The police were alerted immediately and this was formally categorised as an attempted pirate attack after we received a report from the ship's owners.” He added, “These guys were hardly from the Captain Blackbeard school of piracy, in fact they were more like Captain Pugwash. They were dressed up as stevedores but the disguises weren't great and they got rumbled before they'd barely set foot on deck. In all honesty, it probably goes down as one of the worst pirate attacks in history. Even Captain Jack Sparrow would be embarrassed by their efforts.” All joking aside the fact that these two were just a couple of chancers in high-vis vests further highlights the rather farcical implications of the current definitions of piracy. It would seem that the legally binding UN Law of The Sea definition doesn't really capture the essence of modern attacks (i.e. many are inside territorial waters), while the IMB definition is a little woolly and too open to interpretation, as has happened on the Mersey. Plus how can you have TWO definitions…? Having multiple, confused and conflicting designations does nothing to help the fight against this terrible curse afflicting modern shipping, they simply muddy the waters even further. The IMB state that piracy is, “An act of boarding or attempting to board any ship with the apparent intent to commit theft or any other crime and with the apparent intent or capability to use force in the furtherance of that act”. There is nothing to suggest that these two scallies, poorly “disguised” as dockworkers had any capability or intention to use force. Seeing as they turned tail and fled when asked for ID pretty much proves that they didn't. So it seems unwise to bog down the statistics with such trivial “attacks”, especially when we actually need a clear, formal global picture in order to gird the resolve of the powers that be for the fight against real maritime crime. Reporting crimes against ships in a convoluted, arbitrary way simply misleads both public and policy makers alike, and so we would join the call for an annual report on crimes against shipping, that properly classifies maritime crimes in more structured and sensible categories. It seems we need to move forward by dropping the catch-all comedy concept of “piracy”, which quite frankly makes the public think more of hooky DVD's down the pub than of terror on the high seas. Sorry – we could go on, but we'll have to stop there, though we would be very interested in readers thoughts on piracy, it's definition, and of how best to tackle the menace. Email newsroom@shiptalk.com with your thoughts.
Perceived wisdom has it that oil, not money, is the root of all modern evil. A particularly poignant insight with the revelation last month that the U.S. armed forces is the single-largest purchaser and consumer of oil in the world. US tanks, planes and ships guzzle an incredible 340,000 barrels of oil a day, and if the US Defence Department were a country (and one suspects it would dearly love to be), it would rank about 38th in the world for oil consumption, right behind the Philippines . When one considers some of the equipment they use, such as the bulky C-130 "Hercules" transport planes which do approximately three gallons to the mile, yes, 3 gallons to the mile, and the Abrams battle tank which sucks down two gallons a mile, one can perhaps appreciate where all the oil is going. So, how will the rising price of fuel affect military operations? According to Michael O'Hanlon, a former Defence Department budget analyst, the military doesn't really need to worry, and when Congress considers the next requisition order for the military, fuel costs are not likely to be high on the agenda. But what happens when such an oil hungry institution can't get its hydrocarbon fix? Well apparently the US Defence Department is conducting all kinds of research on alternate forms of energy and more efficient machines. So it seems a hybrid tank is already on the horizon. Brilliant…water and fresh air out of the tailpipe, and depleted uranium shells out of the business end…oh the irony.
Shiptalk recently headed off to the Philippines to check out the manning and training scene at first hand (See our Gangway newsletter for more details http://www.shiptalkjobs.com/common/Gangway_Edition_6_PDF.pdf. We are no strangers to that part of the world and having taken Tiffin with many a delightful dancing partner we know how important women are to the social and financial fabric of the country. However we weren't prepared for the newspaper headlines that greeted us on our first morning at breakfast...”MILF Attacks”, “More MILF Trouble” or the unforgettable, “MILF Heads North After Trouble Down South”. Our excitement was short lived, and we were disappointed to learn that this was no rebellion by yummy mummies, but was a push by the Filipino separatist fighters the “Moro Islamic Liberation Front”. At first it seems a rather strange twist to name a terrorist organisation after a, ahem, specialist interest group, and especially one which generally invokes giggles rather than fear. But they see it rather differently, and after a recent flurry of Western media interest, MILF's spokesman Eid Kabalu's reaction was to laugh and state, "See - our group has international acceptance and good recall!" Maybe Islamic terrorists have a sense of humour after all? Not sure what MILF stands for? Ask your Mother…erm actually on second thoughts ask your Dad, and don't whatever you do type it into Google!
So having over indulged on crisps (sorry, “chips” for our American reader), chocolates and egg nog at Christmas, the health Nazis have been droning on and on about how fruit, greens and salad type foodstuffs are the secret of a long and fit life… Well at last we finally have evidence to prove that this is pure stuff and nonsense, and that salad can actually be a health hazard, to such an extent that one rogue green can even stop a ship from sailing. Which was exactly what happened as “HMCS Montreal” was sat alongside in Halifax , NS last month. As the evil, insidious salad began its work, and a mouldy infection crept and crawled over the ships canteen. It was discovered when crew entered the ship to bring it back into commission, only to find the infection. This led to urgent action and the ship's commanding officer ordered an evacuation…Quite Pythonesque to run away from the greens, but hey you can never be too sure with lettuce lurking. In playing down the event, Lt.-Cmdr. Marie-Claude Gagne said, "It seems it's one of those cases of a little bit of high humidity around a salad bar area in a cafeteria." Environmental crews were eventually sent in to run health tests and it took about a week to clean up the mould, before the ship was cleared for use. So be careful in the lower reaches of your fridge…you have been warned!
When we were at college the most pleasing result we ever got was 73% on a maths phase test (we cheated by the way), but for one maritime college student in China , papers carried rather more pleasing news…of a five million Yuan lottery win. The former second-year student at the Jiangsu Maritime Institute learned of his luck from a local newspaper. According to his roommates, he cried out "I am the winner", and he "didn't even finish brushing [his teeth] when he began to tell the news to everyone he met," said one of his roommates. The lucky student, the only first-prize winner in that drawing of the China Welfare Lottery, left school the day he cashed in the prize, one of his teachers confirmed. The five million Yuan (around 683,000 U.S. dollars) lottery in east China 's Jiangsu Province has sparked intense debate -- and a rush for lottery tickets among his fellow students and local residents. In some local university forums on the Internet, many students have voiced their envy and discussed their own plans to buy lottery tickets. An outbreak of mass hysteria that has some professors worried. "It is too distracting and unrealistic for a college student to base his dreams on risky lotteries," said Ji Zongshao, a professor at Nanjing Normal University. It has often been said that lotteries are a tax on the stupid and the hopelessly optimistic, but that hasn't deterred swarms of students from visiting the lottery stand where the winning ticket was bought. "Ticket sales doubled today," said the owner of the lottery stand. Back at the college, and there is concern as to whether the lucky student will ever come back to the classroom, "We don't know whether he will return or not," a teacher said. "We hope he will finish his college education." Hmm, don't hold your breath sir…
What do you do when strong winds, high waves and powerful currents cause long delays as ships wait for calmer conditions? Simple, you build the biggest tunnel ever constructed for ships to pass through unmolested by the howling conditions outside…well, when we say simple we actually mean expensive and time consuming, as it will cost a reported $310 million and take five years to build. The tunnel in the area of Stad on the southwest coast of Norway has been designed as “the world's first shipping tunnel”, and is billed as saving time and money for vessels passing through a coastal area known for its dangerous seas. A recent report from the Norwegian Coastal Administration recommended building the 1,700-metre (5,577 feet) tunnel and concluded that it would be cost effective to cut through the peninsula, saving ships the risky journey around the coastline. The idea to build a shipping passage was first put forward long ago. Some say the first sketch was made in 1870, others say plans started around 1920 with the idea of building a canal through the peninsula. But in the 1980s, the concept gained momentum and the government got involvement. "What's new is that we have managed to calculate the costs of waiting," coastal director Kirsti Slotsvik told the media. The Coastal Administration has recommended a design that would provide flexibility for future growth in ship sizes, and the plan has been sent to the Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal affairs, which could present it to parliament in 2009, an official said. So when port and coastal authorities talk of “digging deep” to avoid congestion…some may actually mean it.
For those of you who were trapped on a sofa over Christmas and forced to watch the painful “Green Card”, starring Gerard Depardieu and Andie MacDowell, then the story last month of US sailors being charged with arranging sham marriages will bring rather more of a smile than the film itself. The eight US sailors were charged with setting-up fake marriages to Polish and Romanian “brides” to help the women obtain U.S. citizenship, and to collect bigger military housing allowances for themselves. An investigation by Naval Criminal Investigative Service and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement found that none of the women actually lived with the sailors they married. If convicted, the seven current and one former sailor from the USS Kennedy and USS Simpson could face up to five years in prison per count…. obviously without conjugal visits. One of the women, a Polish nanny, was also charged, and authorities were seeking seven other women, six of them Polish and one Romanian. Each paid $6,000 for the weddings so they could petition for U.S. citizenship, according to U.S. Attorney Paul Perez. It is understood that suspicions about the validity of the marriages arose when the men boasted of getting jiggy with it more than once a month. When asked for comment one marriage expert (having been with the ball and chain for numerous years) commented, “Sure as heck don't sound like real married life to me”.
Dirty diesel, sludgy, nasty sulphury evil heavy fuel…they sound pretty disgusting to us, but honestly, we'd rather drink a pint of any of them than the fuel a New Zealand engineer, Pete Bethune, is intending to pop in the tank for a round the world trip on his eco-boat. Bethune's boat, EarthRace, runs in part on human-fat biodiesel. Yes, fat from people, from love handles and moobies – all mixed up and pumped into the tank. Bethune has sold everything to realise his incredible dream of building a ship that runs exclusively on green technologies. The boat's engine runs in part on biodiesel (not just fatty bits, but plants as well), and all the electronics are powered via solar energy. EarthRace, was built using all the newest and most innovative technologies, allowing the 24-meter-long boat to be the lightest sea vehicle in its category, with the aim of proving to the world that green energy can become synonymous with power and speed. The aim is to beat the current world record for a boat to circumnavigate the earth, currently 75 days. The attempt begins on March 1, 2008 , from Valencia , in Spain , and should average speeds of 20 to 25 knots. Bethune admits that the “fat” bit has been something of a PR exercise to generate interest, after all the 10 litres of human fat which he and his friends produced after liposuction is only enough to cover 0.15 kilometres. Good luck then to EarthRace. We are very interested in the record attempt, and have even been tempted to offer him the Mother in Law. Heck he'd get clear across the Atlantic with the power harnessed under those surgical stockings…
SHIPTALK SURVEY The second survey in the Shiptalk Life at Sea Survey 2007/8 Nobody ever thinks they're paid enough, but some wages are fairer than others. Part of the onboard payment package always used to include travel and the chance to experience new cultures, at home and abroad. How times have changed! Today when fast turnarounds in port affect shore leave and increased workloads and smaller crew sizes lead to an increasingly lonely existence for those at sea, the second “ Shiptalk - Life At Sea Survey ” looks directly at wages and payment packages to ask today's seafarers a simple question, “Is it still worth it?” There's more to any job than just the amount people are paid, but with changing conditions the work-to-reward ratio may be changing. Is money all there is to it these days, or does life at sea still provide a more exciting lifestyle than any job on land? Some people wouldn't give it up whilst others wish they already had. The second in the series of the “ Shiptalk - Life at Sea Surveys ”, asks the serving seafarer exactly what's happening at work, providing a unique voice for mariners around the world. To have your say you can access the survey online or if you prefer you can complete a traditional paper-based questionnaire at selected seafarer centres around the world, the “ Salary and Employment Benefits Survey ”, finds-out exactly what seafarers think they're worth today.
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WHAT'S ON WHERE? Thursday 10th - Friday 11th January 2008 Lloyd's Maritime Academy Training Suite, London Lloyd's Maritime Academy is pleased to bring you this intensive two day seminar to explore the range of new derivatives tools introduced relatively recently to shipping, together with traditional methods of risk management. Professor Manolis G Kavussanos, PhD, Athens University of Economics Department of Accounting and Finance and Assistant Professor Ilias D Visvikis, Phd, Academics Director MBA in Shipping, ALBA Graduate Business School have led this course that has been run for many years internationally and we are now pleased to offer this excellent training opportunity for the first time in London with Lloyd's Maritime Academy. Already established as a world-leader in shipping derivatives education, the aim of this programme is to provide high quality training involving practical examples with real data, hands on simulations, exercises and discussions.
PLUS : Analytical, practical examples of hedging risks For further information or to register contact our Registration Hotline on +44 (0)20 7017 5511, visit www.lloydsmaritimeacademy.com/lm1982 or email my colleague Ken Lovegrove on Ken.Lovegrove@informa.com I look forward to welcoming you to the course in January 2008. Kind regards, Marianna Christodoulou Practical And Comprehensive Overview Of The Maritime Industry Structure And Framework Monday 25th - Friday 29th February 2008 - Lloyd''s Maritime Academy Training Suite, London THIS COMPREHENSIVE FIVE?DAY SEMINAR WILL:
FEATURING:
European Dry Bulk Shipping Market Outlook Conference 27th & 28th February 2008 - Ciragan Palace Kempinski, Istanbul Turkey All eyes are now well and truly again focused back on freight rates. China 's insatiable appetite for raw materials and current congestion around the world's major ports continue to fuel rampant freight rates rises across the board. Many analysts are now asking whether it is indeed time to once again adjust the chart scales. However, the market is not immune sharp falls. In an attempt to escape the turbulence many players in the physical market are now also looking to take a position in the rapidly expanding paper market. With the value of FFA market up to around $56 billion in 2006 this trend is sure to continue. No matter what your position (physical, paper, or both), it is essential to have the most up to date market information. The European Dry Bulk Shipping Outlook Conference will provide a comprehensive outlook for the major bulk commodities driving the current freight boom. As well as an in depth examination of the fleet outlook, vessel demand & when new ship buildings will affect the market. Lloyd's List looks forward to welcoming you to Istanbul , in the heart of the flourishing Turkish shipping industry. Where we will provide shipping industry executives and commodity suppliers and buyers with the perfect forum to exchange views and learn about the future for freights. For further details: Contact Matthew Trotter
Presented by the Connecticut Maritime Association ( CMA ), Shipping 2008 continues a tradition of bringing the international shipping community together in North America 's leading commercial shipping center, for two and a half days of business and market oriented activity. The event will be held March 17-19, 2008 at The Westin Hotel (will become a Hilton in late January 2008) in Stamford , Connecticut , USA and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you. Contact: Lorraine Parsons, Event Director, CMA Shipping 2008 Tel: +1.203.406.0109 Ext 3717 Fax: +1.203.406.0110 Email: conferences@cmaconnect.com
6th Edition of Gulf Maritime Exhibition Expo Centre Sharjah from April 21st – 23rd 2008 The sixth edition of the Gulf Maritime Exhibition, the Middle East 's premier maritime event dedicated to meeting the complete sourcing requirements of the commercial, government, leisure, and the military maritime sectors, will be held at Expo Centre Sharjah from April 21-23, 2008 . The three-day exhibition, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, is being organised by Expo Centre Sharjah with the support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI). Among the exhibits at the event will be the complete range of deck machinery and other vessel equipment, docking equipment, electronics, communication and navigation systems, engine and propulsion systems, fuel and lubricants, ride control systems, sound and vibration control systems, marine interiors, paints and coatings, latest vessel building designs and technology, equipment for fishing, offshore support vessels, cargo ships, tankers, tugs, ferries, and patrol boats, Ship repair and port operations products, and cargo handling services. Besides featuring a unique exhibit profile, the 2008 edition of the Gulf Maritime Exhibition will host a series of one hour each product presentation seminars and several focused forums and conferences on the sidelines. Whereas the seminar sessions will be an effective marketing tool for gathering potential clients and presenting them with new products and services, the conferences and seminars will be an avenue to introspect on the crucial issues facing the regional maritime sector. The Gulf Maritime Exhibition has so far had five highly successful editions. Today, the event is undoubtedly the region's most established maritime trade platform. The maritime sector not only perceives it as an ideal market entry vehicle for the Middle East but also considers it to be an effective networking tool, which is absolutely necessary in the face of the current highly competitive industry environment.Space Application Form
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