The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has revoked the Australian Certificate for the Carriage of Livestock (ACCL) of the Panamanian-flagged livestock carrier ‘Jawan’, as ‘the vessel’s approved stability data cannot be relied upon when the vessel is loaded’.
The ship was detained in the Australian Port of Portland on 22 November, as it was recorded rolling heavily from side to side, shortly after she departed from the Port with a load of 4,327 cows.
Previously, the vessel, which was originally designed to carry cargo before being converted for live export purposes, was carrying 4,327 cows that were not injured, but concerns were raised about its seaworthiness.
Yet, on December 10, the ‘Jawan’ was to depart from Portland, voyaging from Australia to Pakistan, after the vessel’s classification society provided their assessment of the ship’s stability.
When the vessel was moved from the berth it showed no signs of stability and the master of the vessel demanded its return to the berth. The AMSA Marine Surveyor attended the vessel when it was secured to inspect the situation.
According to SOLAS regulations, all vessels visiting Australia ought to have stability information and should calculate the vessel’s stability on every journey. In the case where the master of the ship fails to ensure the vessel’s stability or the approved information the master applies is untrustworthy, there is risk. It is fundamental both for ship owners and masters to have stability information they can count on.
Moreover, masters, operators and exporters, who are having their obligations pointed out, under Australian regulations and international conventions and loading of livestock, will be prohibited if these requirements are not met.
AMSA’s Chief Executive Officer, Mick Kinley, said that revoking the ACCL was considered the only option given the circumstances. AMSA expects the vessel to be subjected to a detailed inspection by the operator and classification society. This may include an ‘inclining experiment’ to fully determine the vessel’s condition and why the current data cannot be relied upon.
Finally, AMSA will also be working with the vessel’s operator, flag state and classification society to determine how the problems with the vessel’s stability data have originated.