Detainable deficiencies pointed out by AMSA in 2020

Ships calling at ports in Australia continue to be detained for the following deficiencies during PSC inspections by AMSA.

(1) ISM Related: (No report to Flag and Port State on EGCS malfunctions, Insufficient familiarization with key equipment such as ECDIS/OWS, Not having latest version of ENC, etc.)

Ø  Crew were found to have insufficient familiarization with abandon ship drills and fire drills, as well as failed to demonstrate appropriate and necessary operation for voyage such as ECDIS. It is recommended that training should be carried out for all crew at appropriate intervals and the training records should be kept on board.

Ø  It has been determined that non-reporting of deficiencies relating to key equipment to the Flag and Port State is an ISM related detainable deficiency. It is recommended that Incident Reports should be submitted to AMSA prior to entering any Australian port.

Although deficiencies relating to Safety of Navigation are generally not directly considered in themselves to be detainable deficiencies in Australia, they are considered as ISM related detainable deficiencies since they are regarded as being ISM related.

(2) Emergency Generators Failure of an emergency generator to automatically connect to the emergency switchboard (ESB) is considered as a detainable deficiency. It is recommended that tests to ensure automatic starting as well as connecting of the emergency generator to the ESB should be carried out at appropriate intervals using the test switch on the ESB, and that test records should be kept on board together with pictures.

(3) Fire Dampers for Engine Room Ventilation: Seized/wasted/holed dampers have been pointed out as detainable deficiencies. It is recommended that operational tests and internal inspection of dampers should be carried out at appropriate intervals.

(4) Air Pipe Heads for Water Ballast Tanks: Defective closing devises in air pipe heads that are seized, damaged, missing floats, missing or have deteriorated packing, etc. have been pointed out as detainable deficiencies. It is recommended that opening up and internal inspection of air pipe heads should be carried out at appropriate intervals. For reference, please be advised that the Marshall Islands Administration urges owners to open and inspect air pipe heads every three months, as per Marine Safety Advisory No.07-19.

(5) Emergency Fire Pump and its pipe: Insufficient pressure of jets and defective isolation valves have been pointed out as detainable deficiencies. It is recommended that maintenance of pumps, opening up of related valves, and hose tests should be carried out at appropriate intervals.

(6) Lifeboat and Rescue Boats:

Ø Failure of engines to start has been pointed out as a detainable deficiency. It is recommended that operational tests should be carried out at appropriate intervals and, especially, spare battery levels (No.2 battery) should be confirmed without fail.

Ø Seized and inadequate resetting of on-load release gears have also been pointed out as detainable deficiencies. It is strongly recommended to confirm that on-load release gears are maintained during abandon ship drills, and that resetting positions are adjusted correctly when the boats are launched and maneuvered in the water.

(7) Sewage Treatment Plants: Holed sewage treatment plants with associated piping, defective air blower and 3-way valves, as well as insufficient quantities of tablets have been pointed out as detainable deficiencies. It is recommended that sewage treatment plants together with related equipment should be maintained at appropriate intervals.

(8) Hatch Covers: Missing/deformed rubber, seized/wasted clamping devices (cleats) and wasted/damaged seats of clamping devices (crutches) have been pointed out as detainable deficiencies. It is recommended that careful inspection of such items should be carried out at appropriate intervals to ensure weather tightness. For reference, please be advised that each hatch cover for bulk carriers is required to be inspected every week, as per Para. 3.3 of IMO Res. MSC.169(79).

(9) MLC related: In addition to expiry of the seafarer’s employment agreement (SEA), no Flag State approval of the seafarer’s repatriation plan and postponement of the SEA have been pointed out as detainable deficiencies. Please refer to item (A) below.

Furthermore, please be aware of the following whenever a vessel enters an Australian port.

(A) Plan for the seafarer’s repatriation (Marine Notice 04/2020) AMSA does not allow seafarers to work continuously on-board ship without taking leave for more than 14 months. Further, in case seafarers have served continuously on board a vessel for more than 11 months but less than 14 months without taking leave, the master is required to submit a seafarer’s repatriation plan approved by the Flag State to AMSA. When it is anticipated that seafarers will serve more than 11 months onboard, it is strongly recommended that an approved repatriation plan should be prepared in advance.

(B) Cargo securing devices (Marine Notice 05/2020) Focused inspection campaigns for cargo securing devices have been implemented by AMSA between 1 August and 31 October 2020 in response to several incidents where containers have been lost or fallen into the sea. It is recommended that the securing condition of all containers be carefully confirmed before commencing voyage and prior to entering port.

Index of AMSA Marine Notice (For (A) & (B)) at

https://www.amsa.gov.au/about/regulations-and-standards/index-marine-notices