When an incident happens, an often raised issue is the question: is the port safe?
The Skuld P&I Club has posted on its webiste an article referring to when a port is safe when subject to swells.
In some dramatic cases like the MV Ocean Victory casualty in 2006 significant environmental forces can be the root cause of a major incident. In other cases the consequences are much less dramatic, but broken mooring lines and damaged berth fenders as well as scrapes and bumps on the hull will still lead to losses and claims.
When an incident happens, an often raised issue is the question: is the port safe? Skuld correspondents Aus Ship P&I recently gave advice to a Skuld member on the specific Port of Geraldton, Australia, Further information may be found by reading relevant note on the issue of swells at that port.
The Skuld advises operators the following:
- It will be necessary for members to check in advance of arrival whether a given port and a given berth are commonly subject to significant environmental forces, or subject to seasonal variation, or perhaps affected by an unusual and unseasonal event.
- A careful assessment has to be made each time a vessel berths as to whether the berth is safe at that time, and whether there is any incoming weather or wave factor which may change the safety of the berth for the specific vessel at hand.
- This requires good advance planning, an awareness of the issue by both vessel and shore support as well as diligent follow up, perhaps on a daily basis. Local agents should be a first point of contact for relevant information and updates, but if necessary the Club’s correspondents are available to assist.
- Ensuring that a vessel has sufficient mooring lines of suitable standard and quality on board, and that these are set up in a safe and proper manner, is likely to be the responsibility of the owner under most common charterparty provisions
Further details may be found on Skuld’s webiste
