The Maritime Authorities of the Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control for West and Central African region (Abuja MoU) carried out a Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on LifeSaving Appliances from 1 September 2018 to 30 November 2018. 611 Port State inspections were carried out and no ship was detained due to the campaign.
The goal of the Concentrated Inspection Campaign on Life-Saving Appliances was to check compliance with the applicable requirements of the SOLAS Convention, Life-Saving Appliance Code, increase safety awareness among the crew on board the ships and evaluate the familiarity of the crew with relevant equipment and relevant training to perform these responsibilities.
[smlsubform prepend=”GET THE SAFETY4SEA IN YOUR INBOX!” showname=false emailtxt=”” emailholder=”Enter your email address” showsubmit=true submittxt=”Submit” jsthanks=false thankyou=”Thank you for subscribing to our mailing list”]
During the campaign, Abuja MoU member Authorities verified crucial items of compliance that are accordance with SOLAS Convention, Life-Saving Appliance Code and that the crew are familiar with relevant equipment and have received training in conducting their duties.
Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) used a list of 12 questionnaires to determine if life-saving equipment carried on board meet relevant statutory certificates; if master, officers and ratings are qualified and familiar with operation of these equipment, and whether the life-saving appliances are functional and properly maintained.
A total of 611 port State inspections were carried out during this period, 211 of which using the CIC questionnaire, and 400 were inspected without CIC questionnaire. The following deficiencies were recorded under the corresponding number of inspections:
- Cargo Ship Safety Equipment (including exemption) – 1;
- Other (certificates) – 2;
- Abandon ship drills – 1;
- Lifebuoys incl. provision and disposition – 1;
- On board training and instructions – 2.
No ship was detained as a direct result of the campaign.
During the campaign period, the greatest numbers of inspections were performed on ships registered under the flag of:
Marshall Islands 107 (17.51%);
Panama 105 (17.18%);
Liberia 78 (12.77%);
Singapore 41 (6.71%);
Malta 40 (6.55%);
Hong Kong, China 39 (6.38%).
The highest numbers of inspections regarding ship type were carried out on:
- Bulk carriers 272 (44.52%);
- Oil tankers 73 (11.95%);
- Containers 72 (11.78%);
- General cargo/multipurpose 65 (10.64%);
- Refrigerated cargo 30 (4.91%);
- Chemical tankers 29 (4.75%).
The final analysis and findings of the campaign will be presented to the Abuja MoU Port State Control Committee. A report of the results of the CIC will be submitted to the IMO’s Sub-committee on Implementation of IMO Instruments.
