Tag: UK MCA

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency issued an updated notice, advising on the roles and responsibilities of the Receiver of Wreck and the law relating to wreck and salvage, as well as on the responsibilities and rights of wreck owners and salvors, and how to report wreck material.

Eleven foreign flagged ships were under detention in UK ports during June 2017, after failing Port State Control inspection, according to data provided by UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency. During June, there were seven new detentions in a UK port, while four vessels remained under detention from previous months.

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency issued a Merchant Shipping Notice, concerning the Vessel Traffic Services and identifying the UK VTS centres, ahead of the requiring compliance by shipping with regulations 6 and 7 of the Merchant Shipping Regulations 2004.

The RMI published a Safety Bulletin issued by UK MCA, regarding Hwayan Emergency Escape Breathing Devices, that have been found not to fulfill the required rate for delivery of breathing air to the user. The RMI recommends that operators check EEBDs onboard, and if they are found to fall between the affected lot numbers, to contact the manufacturer and undertake an air pressure test.

Two reports have been published investigating aspects of fatigue of seafarers; The first is an on-board and predictive modelling study into the 8 hours on/8 hours off watchkeeping pattern; the second is a predictive modelling study into a range of 2-watch and 3-watch watchkeeping patterns.

Starting from Wednesday 6th of September, the UK Coastguard will be using new channels to broadcast Maritime Safety Information (MSI) and conduct radio medical advice. The new channels will be VHF 62, 63 and 64

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency announced that eight foreign flagged ships were under detention in UK ports, during February 2017, after failing Port State Control (PSC) inspection and publishes details of the foreign flagged vessels detained in UK ports each month.

The US registered car carrier "Honor" caught fire in the English Channel on February 24, while it was en route to Baltimore from Southampton. Luckily, the 21 crew are safe and still on board the vessel, continuing to monitor the cargo area.

Occasioned by an accident caused by the crew being distracted by using their mobile phones, both an investigation report and a guidance were recently issued. The North of England P&I Club further encouraged the development of procedures for the restriction of mobile phone usage.

On October 2016, the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers amended to include additional issues various sections such as entry into enclosed spaces and mooring.