After the 9/11 attacks that changed the world, IMO requires every ship above 500 GT sailing the world’s oceans to have a Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) to enhance security. Have you ever wondered what this system is and how it works?
Chances are that you have never boarded a lifeboat to date, except you are a seafarer who has performed lifeboat drills or someone who has found himself in the very unwelcome experience of a sinking ship. Except from the fact that they save lives, what do we really know about lifeboats?
The average person uses about 80-100 gallons of water per day and flushing the toilet accounts for the largest share of this use, surprisingly topping even showers! While wastewater does not seem to be a problem for households, have you ever wondered what happens when we flush the toilet onboard a ship?
Seafaring is a profession that requires ranks and duties to be specific, so that everyone onboard will know what to do, as several procedures have to be conducted at the same time; Thus, each one of these roles carries unique responsibilities which are crucial for the successful operation of a vessel.
There is a wide range of different vessels. The international dry cargo and tanker markets are immense and are served by numerous ships of several types and of various sizes. Some of them follow standard designs and can carry a variety of cargoes while others are more specialized and able to carry commodities which the standard vessels cannot. According to the UNCTAD, in early 2019 the total world fleet stood at 95,402 ships accounting for 1.97 billion dead-weight tons (dwt) of capacity.
The IMO Ship Identification Number is a unique seven-digit number which remains unchanged through a vessel’s lifetime and is linked to its hull, regardless of any changes of names, flags, or owners. In fact, the IMO number is a unique seven digit number that is assigned to propelled, sea-going merchant ships of 100 GT and above upon keel laying, with the exception of ships without mechanical means of propulsion; pleasure yachts; ships engaged on special service, such as lightships; hopper barges; hydrofoils, air cushion vehicles; floating docks and structures classified in a similar manner; ships of war, troopships as well as wooden ships.
In the unlikely event of a life-threatening situation onboard, it may be time for vessel abandonment, ordered by the Master. Abandoning the ship needs to take place at the right time, followed by specific steps and procedures, as the decision to leave the vessel and fall into the sea comes with great risk.
A dragging anchor is one of the many unwelcome incidents a ship may encounter during its operational life at sea. Sometimes the anchor may drag, something that may not be in control of the crew. So, what rests for the crew to do is to recognize the signs of a dragging anchor: Early identification is the key to avoid accident-related to the dragging anchor situations.
Shipping of goods is the backbone of global economy and a really complex procedure. Taking into consideration how many stakeholders are involved in the trade process, we cannot help but wonder: How the efficient transfer from party to party is achieved? And how do parties ensure quality of the cargo is maintained through the voyage?
With IMO 2020 just around the corner, the shipping industry must already have a plan to comply. However, despite the fact that we are just two months away from this groundbreaking regulation for maritime, there is increased uncertainty regarding compliant fuel oil availability worldwide. In such case, companies should have a plan to deal with such unavailability, with the answer might lying in the Fuel Oil Non-Availability Report (FONAR).
