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Dear Shiptalk Readers,
Welcome to this the Octobber 2006 edition of the Shiptalk newsletter.
Please take your time to read what we have to say this month about issues affecting your everyday lives at sea and do let us know if you have an opinion or comments on any of this month’s articles or other issues that you would like to air via Shiptalk.com.
Why not air your news views and opinions on the Shiptalk Forum at www.shiptalkforum.com
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.
This month we are featuring the work of Rod Maclennan.
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.
SECURITY
As we all know, security and shipping have not been the most comfortable of bed fellows…there are many reasons for this, but uppermost in the eyes of many seafarers and owners is the fact that many maritime security “experts” are perceived as more damaging and costly than the bad guys could ever be.
There have long been complaints of a total lack of understanding of shipping, its business and people – and there are now calls to regulate maritime security providers in order to halt the spread of “unauthorised and inexperienced private security companies”.
One practitioner, Securewest, has stated that many security companies are “dangerous” and even use “unlawful practices in the name of maritime security”.
They stress, “there is no standard for them to check security companies against, and ultimately they could even be unwittingly letting terrorists or pirate reconnaissance groups on board”.
So what do they suggest? Well, they want the IMO to create a register of approved maritime security services providers, and an internationally agreed set of standards.
These would include set standards of training; rules of engagement; use of deadly force; use of non-lethal weapons and their particular rules of engagement; reporting procedures; and standards of vetting of security officers and their administration support.”
Shiptalk agrees with the sentiments of this call for action and recognises the fact that not all security practitioners are as skilled or as experienced as they should be.
The problem is that many of those with the security skills highlighted by Securewest have little or no merchant shipping experience. A fact that has naturally caused friction as the ISPS Code has been forced on the industry.
It seems that to many of these “experts” have come from the “wrong end of the gun”…It's one thing to know how to blow a ship up, its another to understand how to bring the best out of seafarers and to produce common sense and practical security measures if you have never actually worked on a ship.
It was thought that the inclusion within the ISPS Code of Recognised Security Organisations may have alleviated the concerns on policing the security industry, but many flag States were in such a panic to get their vessels certified they seemed to ignore the very systems in place to ensure high standards and professionalism of their service providers.
Shiptalk would be most interested in the views of our readers on this matter...please email your comments to newsroom@shiptalk.com
A machine gun was accidentally fired on a Japanese military ship when it was docked at a naval base last month and incredibly there were no reports of injuries.
About eight to 10 shells were accidentally fired from a machine gun mounted atop the ship, in a naval base north of Tokyo .
The accidental firing came while workers were carrying out checks of the ship. Japanese public broadcaster NHK said the gun was pointing inland toward military-related facilities and ordinary housing when it fired.
The ship is reportedly also equipped with vessel-to-vessel missiles…thankfully the foolish technicians weren't messing with them.
There was another rather embarrassing incident for a security guard onboard a Greek ferry last month.
Robbers reportedly stole 880,000 euros in cash from a security guard on board a ferry travelling from the Cycladic island of Paros to Piraeus .
Crew members of the "Highspeed II" ferry found the guard bound and gagged in one of the ship's toilets when the vessel arrived in the port of Piraeus .
He claimed to be working for a private security firm and alleged that at least two attackers bundled him into the toilet and stole the bag containing the cash.
…and they wonder why we have so little faith in security!
SAFETY
CHIRP - Delivering Safer Ships-Is it Just About the Crew?
We're maintaining our focus on human interactions this month, but moving a little distance away from the ship to consider some of the other critical relationships. If we think about this for a moment there are many others beyond the ship's personnel who have the potential to influence the way a ship is operated and therefore the potential for an accident. Perhaps the most obvious and direct influence comes from management, but there are others such as Flag, Classification Societies, shipyards, VTS, suppliers of various kinds; spare parts, bunkers and many others.
The following report from the CHIRP database illustrates a number of these relationships well, but unfortunately was sent to us anonymously. CHIRP does not accept anonymous reports, so has been unable to investigate this incident, but it nevertheless provides an example, whether it is accurate or not, of the type of issues which may arise with external relationships:
“On most of company's vessels, officers and ratings are different nationalities. One month after I joined the vessel, we had to pass ISM Flag State Audit to renew SMC. Inspector from Flag Administration has arrived, checked everything, spoke with crew members. The final report stated: "No any majors.", but in one of remarks' point was written, that there are problems with communication on board. It was about basic communication between officers and ratings. Honestly speaking, the only persons who know English is bosun, pump man and cook. Most of other guys understand simple commands like for mooring, but they are using expressions like "me down", "me bring", "me flag" using also all their body expression. All others thing must be translated to them by bosun. All the Emergency Operation Instructions of all critical equipment are written not in English - but in the language of the crew.
Because our DPA was on board during audit, almost in this same moment the Auditor issued his report, he has written his own answers in it. It stated, that Company order the manning agent to better choose of seafarers provided for the Company and that the Captain will teach them English! Can you believe in this?! Maybe maths and sea biology, or geography also? If such answer satisfied Auditor, which means, he believed in this, this is the best evidence for me, that all ISM is a bull sh*t and it is all about the papers! And paper - can take everything. So, if the person who is the closest to the SMS - the ISM Auditor (and of course Administration he represent) - in my opinion - doesn't take care of implementation and working of ISM - why should I??
Also, after two months of really intensive training - after first month we need pass mentioned ISM Audit, after the next one - USCG inspection, on the test during Safety Meeting, on the question "What kinds of fire extinguishers we have on board?", the crewmen with certificates of competency, with all required by SOLAS and STCW trainings answer "Red, yellow and blue", and nobody of them know telephone number on bridge. So, what we're talking about?! ISM?? Ha, ha, ha.
P.S. Of course both inspections we passed, and Company is happy and DPA sending new circulars on the fleet vessels.”
This report cuts across almost all of the human to human relationships we've discussed so far; crew competence and communications, management and supervision and the activities of regulators or those acting on their behalf. This report shows a system that does not appear to be working, so its disappointing it was sent in anonymously and CHIRP is unable pursue it further. Remember, CHIRP does not reveal the identity of reporters, but it does need to know who you are, so we can find out more about your concerns and keep you advised about what we've done with them.
If your operation shares any of the characteristics illustrated, CHIRP may be able to help. If you have a concern you wish to discuss in confidence, please get in touch.Safe sailing,
Mike Powell
Director (Maritime) CHIRP
The European parliament has announced that it opposes plans to extend the role of maritime pilots to include inspection of onboard deficiencies.
Dominique Vlasto, the European MP dealing with the draft version of the port State control directive said, “Pilots' knowledge of ships is partial and the profession should not be used to do the work of surveyors”.
“Pilots do not know the whole vessel,” Ms Vlasto said. “They only have a partial impression.” Industry does not want pilots acting as surveyors, she said.
The port State control directive, part of the “Erika 3” legislation, underlines that port pilots are already obliged to report defects they come across in their line of work. The proposal now before the EU institutions would extend this provision to deepsea pilots. The commission thought this necessary in the wake of the “Prestige” oil spill disaster, when defects spotted by a pilot were not acted upon.
Maritime industries have expressed concerns about the proposed changes, suggesting that pilots encourage rather than ensure that deficiencies are reported.
Deepsea pilots, many of whom work on a commercial basis, are known to be worried about the business implications.
In a letter to Lloyd's List it was pointed out that many deepsea pilot services in northern Europe are not compulsory. The letter asked, “how many shipmasters or their companies will continue to utilise our services if they think that we are going to ‘shop' them to the nearest port state control at the first opportunity? The answer…“none”!
Hmm a real conflict of interests story this one…the fear of being seen as a snooper, just waiting to blow the whistle may be bad for business, but lets face it if a ship is bad enough to “rat on” surely they shouldn't be providing pilotage for it.
In the utopian world of “Erica 3” it should be everyone's duty to “shop shonky ships”…That's it, a new campaign starts here – if you see a bad ship, a damaged lifeboat, a fatigued crew, or anything that causes concern its time for us all to ring the alarm bells and get some action.
So lets not remove the duty of pilots to voice concerns, let's simply join them and all have a voice. With schemes such as MARS and CHIRP in existence there is no excuse not to tell someone, somewhere if you see something of concern.
In the wake of the “Solar I” oil spill news of some of the frantic attempts to stem the damage to villages and fishing grounds have now emerged.
One such attempt saw thousands of prisoners shaving their heads and chests to donate hair to help mop up the oil spill.
The collection came in response to a nationwide drive by the government to amass tonnes of hair and feathers to absorb more than 200,000 litres of fuel that clogged the coast.
The 15,000 inmates at a maximum security prison in southern Manila , including 1,000 on death row, began donating hair as officials desperately sought answers to the problem. "This is a contribution even though it's small," said Nigel Gatward, 37, a British national convicted of drug smuggling.
About 500 hair salons in Manila joined the "Stop the Oil Spill" drive by collecting hair clippings from their shops.
The idea of using hair originally “cropped” up at a news conference, when a member of the environmental group Greenpeace pointed to an experiment in the United States that found human hair useful in cleaning up oil.
However, many observers believe that hair is unsuitable for such a project, as it takes time to degrade, does not really absorb oil and may not be hygienic. Hmm though whether it is more or less hygienic than thousands of litres of oil on a beach is a moot point.
One marine biologist added, "I also don't agree with using feathers, because they stink when they rot," adding that abundant materials such as straw might be better.
The coastguard fixed the tonnes of donated hair to bamboo poles to act as barriers along the coastline.
Shiptalk has christened this type of oil spill response the “Brazilian”, not because its ever been used on the Copacabana, but because it leads to lots of dirty hair being removed from nooks and crannies…ewww.
Anyone wishing to donate chest and head hair, or even nasal and ear clippings should contact their nearest Filipino Embassy. Just please don't mention Shiptalk if you do…
The much talked of global shortage of skilled officers could see an increase in claims resulting from human error and higher premiums in the long term, according to top insurance broker, Aon.
Last year's BIMCO/International Shipping Federation survey, predicted a shortage of 27,000 officers — some 6% of the required total — by 2015.
“The problem could escalate to the point where shipping companies will have to face real operational difficulties,” Aon maintains.
Over half of officers are already over 40, while new recruits may be deterred by the perception that the work is dangerous and by the trend towards criminalisation.
The company is calling on shipowners to counter the projected skills shortfall with better recruitment and retention plans and by ensuring that officers are fully equipped to handle technological advances.
Aon Global Marine chairman Steve Allum said crew employment, training and retention policies may become part of the criteria underwriters use to set premiums.
“Unless shipowners, managers and charterers take further action, the outlook for the maritime industry is not good,” he remarked.
Unions are also in accord, with a spokesman for UK officers' union Numast arguing that the officer shortage is starting to bite. They point out, “the industry seems all the time to put the emphasis on cost cutting, without making an assessment of the cost consequences”.
One famous quote from Numast is that, “none of this is rocket science”, though the concept still seems rather complicated to some owners.
Sadly there remain ill equipped, poorly trained, badly supported and tired officers on ships. The fact that collisions, groundings and deaths still happen means that all the measures in the world haven't yet worked. The time is here to woo educated and skilled young people to reinvigorate our industry, and to then keep them.
Words are cheap, and it is the conditions of employment and standard of living that speak to potential recruits. We must strive to make shipping a career and a life worthy of the people we want and need to attract.
It's a good day for the industry, when one of the leading brokers pokes a head over the parapet, and hopefully the industry will listen. Though it is a rather poor show when brokers have to break from looking at money to play a role in forcing shipping companies to improve.
It has long been said that it is only commercial incentives, or sanctions that get results…lets hope we can finally find a “carrot and stick approach” that will work.
GENERAL
A bid to earn the record for the world's biggest flag ended as a tattered dream last month when strong winds tore apart a giant Philippine national flag as it was being unfurled at a mountain town north of Manila .
Thousands of people, dropped to their knees in prayer when the blue, red and white flag was unfurled. Only to watch in horror as the wind whipped and ripped the flag to shreds.
"Everybody is crying," one witness told Reuters by mobile phone. "The unfurling of the flag was almost over but a sudden gust of strong winds tore it apart," said Galindez-Gupana, founder of the HalleluYAH PG Towers Ministries International.
The Christian group, supported by a Manila-based producer of herbal food supplements, spent about 1 million pesos (US$20, 000) on the project to make the two-hectare (five-acre) flag.
The group, which hired 18 people to make the 330 feet by 660 feet (100 metre by 200 metre) flag -- about the size of two football fields -- wanted to break the 10-year-old record held by the United States .
The American "Superflag", at 255 feet by 505 feet and weighing 3,000 lb (1,363 kg), made it into the Guinness Book of World Records in 1996.
Our suggestion would be perhaps to only unfurl on a calm day, or perhaps don't use “mountain towns” for such record attempts. Shame really…
Ship owners have long had a strange and strained relationship with their “parents”, the flag States…do this, do that, tidy up, did you lock the door, moan, moan, moan.
In an attempt to make the process more equitable, and to gain an honest picture of the true standard of administrations, the IMO introduced an exciting scheme, the Voluntary Member State Audit Scheme.
The scheme was heralded, “as the catalyst in IMO 's numerous, persistent and consistent attempts to eliminate substandard shipping.”
Last month saw many observers round on the scheme, saying it will lack teeth and do nothing to increase transparency in the war against substandard shipping.
The ITF, said the scheme is just, “another load on the ship and shipowner”. They added that, “the jury is still out on this new scheme, but I don't see it is going to make a lot of difference”. Especially as, “the bad countries don't want transparency.”
Chris Sawyer, principal registrar for the Barbados Maritime Ship Registry, said: “The auditing of flag states may have a negative effect on fleet safety by diverting the administration's ‘ship responsible efforts' into those of bureaucratic processes, thereby diminishing the anticipated raising of safety standards resulting from the auditing process.”
Apparently the audit scheme is now ready for the off, with two brave states, Chile and Denmark, signed up to be audited, with 23 other states indicating that they are prepared to be audited.
The audits will remain confidential and the idea is not to produce a ranking list from them, said a spokeswoman for the IMO .
Lets face it we could all probably draw up a list of the top and bottom flags in just a couple of minutes over a coffee…but lets hope this scheme will mean that the bad flags are both nurtured and punished into getting their houses in order.
By then, of course, it's likely the owners of substandard ships will have already nestled into a new hidey hole, well away from the stresses and strain of being hassled.
A half eaten meal, charts of the Mediterranean and piles of clothes were found on board an empty US$600,000 twin masted sailing vessel discovered floating off the Italian coast last month.
Police are investigating the mystery, which was discovered by coastguards on a routine patrol.
The 66-foot vessel had no name and no other identification markings and a punctured tender boat was still on board. The schooner - which was described by coastguards as of a 'classic' design - was found drifting off the coast of Sardinia .
Strong currents were pushing it towards rocks and coastguards boarded the vessel just in time and managed to attach a line and tow it to port where it was being examined.
A coastguard spokesman said that they and police were trying to establish whether the yacht had been intentionally abandoned and what had happened to the crew.
Officials had discovered a plaque with the name 'Bel Amica' but said that initial checks with shipping registers had found no yacht with that name.
No vessels have been reported missing or stolen, which has added to the mystery.
A spokesman at the harbour-master's office said: 'At the moment the discovery is a complete mystery and we are investigating with police. 'There was no name and no registration markings or documents were found, but a proper search is now being carried out with the yacht in harbour.
'She is in perfect condition and is a very valuable classic twin-masted schooner. 'It gave the impression of being abandoned very quickly, but for what reason we just don't know.
Actually Shiptalk has just remembered that the ship is actually ours. Yes that's right, oh you know how it is, we were out the other night, couple of glasses of rose and we forgot where we left her.
So we'd be grateful if the Italian coastguard could just give her back to us and we'll say no more on the matter…
Every time the price of oil rockets we see weird and wonderful ideas for powering ships…and last month saw the idea of “kite power” re-emerge.
One company, SkySails, says their kite products would enable ships to use less fuel, not only saving money but also benefiting the environment.
In the past they claim that “no one was interested”, and that, "people said it wouldn't work”. Now however things are looking different and the company has finally secured shipowners' backing including €10m (£6.7m) from the Oltmann Group, a German ship financier.
Tests are presently being undertaken using an 80 square metre sail on a 55 metre buoy tender ship, and next year they plan to use bigger sails on superyachts and on a 150 metre cargo ship owned by the Beluga Group, based in Bremen , Germany .
The use of SkySails is very different to traditional sail power. The kites fly at a height of between 100 and 300 metres above sea level, where winds are up to 50% more powerful. Instead of using a mast, they are fastened to the ship by a tow line attached to a winch in the bow of the ship, which reels out the sail for use.
SkySails went on sale last month and will be delivered from 2008, and the company hopes the product will become a standard for ships of all sizes travelling up to 15 knots and could help cut fuel costs - which can make up over half of a ship's operating costs - by 50%.
Naturally opinions are divided on whether the idea will take off.
"The industry is by nature very conservative and cautious," says Edwin Lampert, editor of the Marine Engineers Review. "I'm sceptical that it will migrate en masse overnight”.
Lloyd's Register says that while they could be of great benefit for smaller ships, they are unlikely to be used to propel larger vessels. The manufacturers disagree.
They argue a vessel of any size could use the kites, eventually even oil tankers could be using 1,000-square-metre SkySails, "not today, not tomorrow, but 2009, 2010, definitely".
The pictures of large ships whizzing along the oceans at the end of big kites look like fun…though quite what difficulties they will add to altering course is another issue.
Some officers seemingly have trouble avoiding other ships (and land) when they just have engines and a rudder to contend with – quite what affect an enormous kite whipping across the bow would have we dread to think.
But anyway who cares about collisions, wouldn't the oceans look pretty with all those lovely kites fluttering about…
There has been a rather compelling tribunal in the UK recently, in which a naval chaplain, The Rev Mark Sharpe, 37, claimed harassment and discrimination against the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on the grounds of religious affiliation.
The catalyst in all this being that his jolly crewmates on board “HMS Albion” and “HMS Manchester” liked to indulge in a little, ahem, light relief by watching “dirty movies”.
The Rev Mark Sharpe said he was kept awake by shipmates watching DVD 's that included scenes involving animals, and was ordered to turn a blind eye. We thought watching such acts made you go blind…
The tribunal was told that he did not tell anyone about the mucky movies because he was afraid of the consequences.
It was claimed that he left “HMS Albion” and “HMS Manchester”, after 14 and 10 days respectively, because of the filth. However the Navy claimed Mr Sharpe only raised complaints when he had decided to leave the service, because he was missing his wife and home.
Asked whether he was not blaming everything on the DVD 's he told the tribunal: "It was horrendous, it was vile. The violence was terrifying."
Denying a suggestion from counsel that he was exaggerating the situation, he said: "I was lying there feeling physically sick at the sound of what was going on."
He told the tribunal he had also witnessed a knife fight and people throwing glasses at each other, adding: "I was terrified", adding that he had “seen part of a naked mess session". Though quite what part he saw has not been made clear.
The MoD accepted Mr Sharpe was harassed. The father of four is understood to have received a five-figure payout after the tribunal.
Rev Sharpe, is now a rector in Worcestershire, where we hope his new flock aren't quite as excitable.
This reminds us of a device introduced a few years ago – it was a wristband that measured movement. The theory being that when seafarers were “working” the movement would register and when they were “resting” the lack of movement would enable the device to differentiate the levels of activity and thus fatigue.
A great idea, until it was discovered that there was often rather more intense and frantic wrist movement during many seafarers rest periods…quelle surprise.
Shiptalk should be made to walk the plank this month for not warning shipmates that 19 th September was “International Talk Like A Pirate Day”.
Arrr now we knows modern piracy ain't funny, (after all have you seen Johnny Depp)…but we figures a little indulgence in this fine fun baint do no one no harm, see.
Now ye grog-snarfing bilge-rats make a note for next year…September 19 th is the day. Mark it with a cross on your diary, or ye'll meet the rope's end, me bucko!.
One of our colleagues misheard the “pirate” bit and spent the day saying “Polly wants a cracker”…the mutinous blowfish.
WHAT'S ON WHERE?
COLLISION – CONTROLLING THE CHAOS - The Master's Role
The Nautical Institute North East Branch 14 th Mariner and Maritime Law Seminar 10-11 November 2006 Hilton Newcastle Gateshead
This November will see the North East Branch of the Nautical Institute host the fourteenth seminar in their successful series of “The Mariner and Maritime Law” seminars.
The seminar will take place on the 10 th – 11 th November 2006 at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead Hotel, overlooking the river Tyne .
The seminar titled “Collision – Controlling the Chaos – The Master's Role”, is sponsored by a host of prominent companies in the shipping industry, including, OSG , Brookes Bell, Smit and LOC.
The seminar will examine the position of the master in the aftermath of a collision.
Leading industry experts will look at a wide range of issues with which the Master must concern himself post collision including; salvage, managing the media, communications with head office, who he can expect onboard post collision, how shock and trauma can affect decision making and what lessons can be learnt from the aviation industry.
The seminar has been a proven success over the years from both an educational and networking perspective. This year will be no different. Over 150 delegates from around the world are expected to attend. Everyone with an interest in seafarers, the environment, ship management and international trade will have something to contribute and something to learn.
This year has seen an unprecedented number of early bookings and seminar organisers would urge delegates to register as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
The seminar programme and registration form may be downloaded from the Branch website: www.ninebranch.org or obtained from Denise Huddleston,
tel: +44 191 232 5221 or email niseminar@nepia.com
The Liverpool Maritime Graduates and Masters Association (LMGMA) has been in touch with Shiptalk.
Readers may recall they were about to hold their first reception in London last month aboard the magnificent “SV Tenacious” at West India Docks.
They have written to extend their “heartfelt thanks to the Jubilee Sailing Trust and their marvellous crew who helped make our event such a success, and who made all our guests so welcome”.
They added, “The Jubilee Sailing Trust despite their desperate need for more funds, do so much to introduce the sea to the disabled and we would heartily encourage any readers to support this worthy and wonderful cause”.
Glad to hear the event went well – if anyone wishes to know more about either organisation please visit www.lmgma.co.uk, or www.jst.org.uk
News also reached us last month of the wonderful annual “Great River Race” on the Thames . Well done to all that took part, and raised lots of money for charity.
We heard that a few boats were so pleased after the race that their crews enthusiastically dunked their cox in the river…now that's why we never drink water!
If you have a maritime related event please email details for newsroom@shiptalk.com and we would be pleased to include it in our Shiptalk Social section.
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