Tag: North Club

North P&I Club publishes guidance on employing armed guards in west Africa

The 'A' rated 170 million GT North P&I club has just published a new loss-prevention guide for watchkeepers on how to avoid collisions at sea. Designed specifically for use on ship's bridges, it focuses on what the club considers to be the most important 'rules of the road' in the International Regulations for Prevention Collisions at Sea 1972 (COLREGS).In his foreword to Collisions: How to Avoid Them, the Hon Mr Justice Nigel Teare, Admiralty Judge at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, says, 'Despite all the impressive electronic assistance designed to enable deck officers to avoid collisions, collisions still occur. The answer is, and always has been since radar was first introduced, that the rules of navigation set out in the COLREGS must still be applied by deck officers. 'This short and compact guide therefore has a vital and necessary role. It reminds mariners of the basics of the COLREGS and that they must be kept well in mind and obeyed notwithstanding the profusion of equipment on the modern bridge. That equipment does not avoid collision - it is merely an aid to collision avoidance. What avoids collisions is compliance with the COLREGS,' says Teare.The guide focuses on the ...

Shipowners need to ensure they have the right garbage-disposal procedures and policies in place The 'A' rated 170 million GT North P&I Club has reminded its Members that 2013 is the first full year of operation of new international garbage-disposal rules that greatly limit the dumping of garbage at sea. The reminder comes in the latest issue of the Club's loss prevention newsletter Signals, published on January 16, 2013 .According to North's loss prevention manager Andrew Glen, 'With very few specific exceptions, the new rules reverse the historical presumption that most garbage can be discharged at a suitable distance offshore. Shipowners thus need to ensure they have the right garbage-disposal procedures and policies in place and continue to keep the seas clean throughout 2013 and beyond.'In July 2011 the International Maritime Organization adopted amendments to Annex V of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) in Resolution MEPC.201(62), and issued guidelines for their implementation in Resolutions MEPC.219(63) and MEPC.220(63).Restrictions on the disposal of cargo residues and the discharge of hold wash water containing cargo harmful to the marine environment (HME) have been tightened in the revised regulations. 'Not all shippers will be aware of their obligation ...

North Alert : Liquefaction of Bauxite Cargoes

Talking Points' is a new loss prevention initiative to help masters for safety issues at sea The 'A' rated, 170 million GT North P&I Club has launched a new loss prevention initiative to help get ships' masters and officers talking to each other about health and safety issues at sea.Announced in the Club's loss prevention newsletter Signals on 16 October 2012, the 'Talking Points' scheme involves producing a range of topical sheets specifically designed for handing out and discussing at on-board safety briefings.North's head of loss prevention Tony Baker says, 'While drills, training videos, guides and posters all help to deliver safety messages on ships, getting people to actually talk and think proactively about risk is the most effective way to raise awareness. Regular health and safety discussions also facilitate sharing of ideas and concerns and help seafarers to bond.'Elsewhere in today's Signals the Club draws attention to the importance of maintaining social interaction between crew members in the increasingly isolated and automated working environment of modern ships. 'Having a crew that is close-knit and of high morale helps ensure both mental and physical well-being on board, leading to a safer environment for everyone,' says Baker.Talking Points are basically two ...

Interim guidance for private maritime security companies (PMSC) during IMO's 90th session The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) has agreed interim guidance for private maritime security companies (PMSC) providing privately contracted armed security personnel on board ships in the high risk area during its 90th session.A copy of MSC.1/Circ.1443 - interim guidance to private maritime security companies (PMSC) providing privately contracted armed security personnel on board ships in the high risk area, can be read here.MSC.1/Circ.1405/Rev.1 has been revised and replaced with MSC.1/Circ.1405/Rev.2 - revised interim guidance to shipowners, ship operators and shipmasters on the use of privately contracted armed security personnel on board ships in the high risk area, can be read here.Changes made between Rev.1 and Rev.2 of MSC.1/Circ.1405 can be found here.The MSC has also produced interim guidance on the recommended practices that flag states are encouraged to apply, within the framework of their national law, in order to ensure that counter piracy measures are implemented as effectively as possible.MSC.1/Circ.1444 - interim guidance for flag states on measures to prevent and mitigate Somalia-based piracy, can be read here.The IMO is expected to publish a further two Circulars relating to maritime security which will be ...

Information by the North of England P&I Club As a result of the continued loss of life to personnel entering shipboard spaces in which the atmosphere is oxygen-depleted, oxygen-enriched, toxic or flammable, the Assembly of the International Maritime Organisation during its 27th session adopted the Revised Recommendations for Entering Enclosed Spaces aboard Ships.The revised recommendations which were adopted by Resolution A.1050(27) on 30 November 2011 replace Resolution A.864(20).A copy of the revised recommendations can be read here.Source: The North of England P&I Club

Information by the North of England P&I Club The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has revised their Safety in the use of abrasive wheels guidance following the introduction of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992 as amended and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER 98), a copy of the abrasive wheels guidance can be found here.The guidance aims to reduce accidents and injuries resulting from either wheel breakage or contact with a running wheel.The guidance contains detailed information on the markings that must be included on all abrasive wheels; this includes amongst other information the following: test record, restriction of use, expiry date (3 years from date of manufacture for wheels used in hand held applications) dimensions and maximum operating speed. Full details of the marking system can be found on page 7 and 8 of the abrasive wheel guidance.Should an accident involving abrasive wheels occur whilst a vessel is in a UK ship yard, then the requirements of this guidance would be enforced by the HSE.Source: The North of England P&I Club

Cargo liquefaction continues to be a serious physical and economic hazard for shipping Around 120 members of the Greek shipping community attended a seminar on cargo liquefaction hosted by the Piraeus office of the 150 million GT 'A' rated North P&I club.According to associate director and head of the Greek office, Tony Allen, 'Cargo liquefaction continues to be a serious physical and economic hazard for shipping worldwide and the high turnout last night shows it remains a particular concern for our Greek owners and operators'.The event at the Piraeus Marine Club focused on the safety, regulatory and practical issues which arise when shipping cargoes prone to liquefy together with the legal and commercial aspects facing masters when suspect cargoes are presented for loading.Allen told delegates, 'North recognises and continues to support the ongoing efforts of its members to ensure the safety of their vessels and crews when shipping cargoes likely to liquefy. We will continue in conjunction with the International Group of P&I Clubs and other industry bodies such as Intercargo and BIMCO to promote prudent and safe practice.'He confirmed North is fully committed to supporting the International Group's initiatives to put pressure on local shippers and authorities in countries ...

Pratap Shirke of Australian shipmanagement group ASP - new chairman The directors of the North P&I club have appointed Pratap Shirke of Australian shipmanagement group ASP as its new chairman.He succeeds Albert Engelsman of Dutch shipping group Wagenborg, who has completed his four-year term of office.Shirke has served as a director since 1994 - initially with the Newcastle P&I club, which merged with North in 1998 - and was elected Norths vice-chairman in May 2007. He was also chairman of the clubs investment committee for 13 years.He was confirmed as Norths chairman on 19th October 2011 at the clubs board meeting in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.Commenting on his appointment Shirke said, "I look forward to continuing the excellent progress North has made under the stewardship of my predecessor Albert Engelsman. During his term of office the club has grown from 72 mill gt to 150 mill gt total entered tonnage and boosted free reserves by 65%."Despite uncertain times ahead for all P&I clubs, I will ensure we continue to build further on Norths three strategic pillars of membership quality, financial strength and service excellence," he said.Shirke is a director of ASP Ship Management Group based in Melbourne, Australia, which - ...