Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Free Pratique ! Meaning !

Pratique is the license given to a ship to enter port on assurance from the captain to convince the authorities that he/she is free from contagious disease.
A ship can signal a request for "Pratique" by flying a solid yellow square-shaped flag. This yellow flag is the Q flag in the set of International maritime signal flags.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Breaking News

17 March 2009
Victory for Safe Jobs and the Environment:
High Court Halts Deadly Shipbreaking on the Beaches of Bangladesh
As a result of a petition filed by the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), the Bangladeshi High Court has directed the Department of Environment (DoE) to ensure that all shipbreaking yards operating without environmental clearance close their operations within two weeks. None of the 36 shipbreaking yards in Chittagong currently have an environmental clearance. The decision therefore effectively shuts down an industry that has been highly criticized by environmentalists and human rights activists for many years for operating with complete disregard for the law, human health and the environment. The court also ordered that no ship listed on the “Greenpeace list” of dangerous ships can be allowed into the country. BELA and Greenpeace are member organizations of the NGO Platform on Shipbreaking, a global coalition working to promote safe and environmentally sound ship recycling.

Environmental Protection !

Hello Mariners,

Please visit the site which gives many information regarding Enviromental Protection.

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/ships/index.htm

Thanks

-Veera

Sunday, March 15, 2009

UK Detention Updates - 25 February 2009

UK Detention Updates - 25 February 2009
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) announced that 7 foreign flagged ships were under detention in UK ports during January 2009 after failing Port State Control (PSC) inspection.
Latest monthly figures show that there were 6 new detentions of foreign flagged ships in UK ports during January 2009 and 1 vessel under detention from previous months. The overall rate of detentions compared with inspections carried out over the last twelve months was 3.77% this is slightly down from Decembers' twelve month rate.
During the month of January 145 Port State Control inspections were carried out in the UK. A total of 44 vessels had no deficiencies raised against them, 64 had between one and five deficiencies 27 had between six and ten deficiencies 7 had between eleven and twenty deficiencies and there were 3 vessels inspected that had more than twenty deficiencies.
Out of the detained vessels, 5 were registered with flags states listed on the Paris MOU white list, none were registered with flag states on the grey list, 1 was registered with a flag state on the black list and 1 was registered with an unlisted flag state.
1.In response to one of the recommendations of Lord Donaldson's Inquiry into the prevention of pollution from merchant shipping and in compliance with the EU Directive on Port State Control (95/21/EC as amended), the Maritime and Coastguard agency (MCA) publishes full details of the foreign flagged vessels detained in UK ports each month.
2. Inspections of foreign flagged ships in UK ports are undertaken by surveyors from the MCA. Where a ship is found to be deficient or lacks the required documentation, MCA surveyors can take a range of actions leading to detention in serious cases. The UK is part of a regional agreement on port state control known as the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Paris MOU) and information on all ships that are inspected is held centrally in an electronic database known as SIReNaC. This allows the ships of flags with poor detention records to be targeted for future inspection.
3. Detained ships have to satisfy surveyors that remedial work has been carried out before they are allowed to leave port.
4. When applicable the list includes those passenger craft prevented from operating under the provisions of the EU Directive on Mandatory Surveys for the safe operation of regular Ro-Ro ferry and high speed passenger craft services (1999/35/EU). Notes on the list of detentions
Full details of the ship
The accompanying detention list shows ship's name, the flag state and the ship's International Maritime Organization (IMO) number which is unchanging throughout the ship's life and uniquely identifies it.
Company
The company shown in the vessel's Safety Management Certificate or the party otherwise believed to be responsible for the safety of the ship at the time of inspection.
Classification Society
The list shows the Classification Society responsible for classing the ship and not necessarily the party issuing and/or carrying out surveys for certificates relevant to the defect found.
Recognised Organisation
The "organisation" - responsible for conducting the statutory surveys: and issuing statutory certificates, (on behalf of the Flag State).
Defects
The list gives a summary of the main grounds for detention and includes information where the ship has been released to sail to another port for repairs.
Vessels detained in January included:
A 22,638 GT Oil/Chemical Tanker was detained in Belfast as her radar was inoperable and her MF/HF installations were not working correctly. The radar had not been working since July 2008. A major non conformity was identified in respect of the ship maintenance and documentation which was against the SMS system. 43 deficiencies in all were identified, and the ship was still detained at the end of January.
A 2,599 GT Other Cargo vessel was detained in Chatham because oil was being pumped overboard into the dock via the ballast system, in addition the engine room bilges were covered with heavy oil leaking from the fuel treatment unit. The ship was still detained at the end of January
Ships detained in January 2009
Date & Place of Detention: 02/01/2009 (Plymouth) Vessel Name: FAIRDEAL (General Cargo)
GT: 2,292 IMO No: 8919843 Flag: Liberia Company: Baff Vyborg Ltd Classification Society: Germanischer Lloyd (GL) Recognised Organisation: Germanischer Lloyd (GL) Recognised Organisation for ISM: Germanischer Lloyd (GL
Summary: 3 deficiencies (1) Grounds for detention
This vessel was detained in Plymouth for 8 days because the Certificates of Equivalent Competency (CECs) for the mate, second mate and engineer were not available on board. Other deficiencies identified included, the International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate (IAPP) and the International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate (ISPP) had expired.
The vessel was released from detention on 09/01/2009
Date & Place of Detention: 16/01/2009 (Northfleet) Vessel Name: WINTERSET (Bulk Carrier)
GT: 1,491 IMO No: 7609726 Flag: Marshall Islands Company: SMT Ship Management Classification Society: Bureau Veritas (BV) Recognised Organisation: Bureau Veritas (BV) Recognised Organisation for ISM: Germanischer Lloyd (GL)
Summary: 17deficiencies (3) Grounds for detention
This vessel was detained in Northfleet for 4 days because the VHF radio was not capable of transmitting via DSC, in addition the port and starboard engine room fire flaps could not be closed. A major non conformity was identified with regard to the emergency preparedness; the fire and boat drills were poor and showed lack of training and control. Other deficiencies identified included: the reflective tape was missing from the keel of the lifeboat: the Ops battery room lifebuoy was not ready for use - the light was inoperative; some deck fire hydrants were leaking and the vent system to the cabins on main deck had no fire flaps.
The vessel was released from detention on 19/01/2009
Date & Place of Detention: 16/01/2009 (Hull) Vessel Name: DEFENDER (General Cargo) GT: 1,611
IMO No: 6919837 Flag: Cambodia Company: Forestry Shipping Sia Classification Society: Inclamar Recognised Organisation: Inclamar Recognised Organisation for ISM: Inclamar
Summary: 20 deficiencies (2) Grounds for detention
This vessel was detained in Hull for 12 days because the lifeboat buoyancy chambers were damaged in 2 places in way of gunnel where the davit arms rest. In addition most tank vent heads were either seized or corroded or were not secured to prevent covers coming off in seaway. Other deficiencies identified included; there was no means of testing the fire detection system on board or routine test procedure implemented; the seals were broken on the spare batteries for the hand held GMDSS/VHF sets and the reserve source of energy the cells electrolyte level was low.
The vessel was released from detention on 27/01/2009
Date & Place of Detention: 27/01/2009 (Sunderland) Vessel Name: SKULPTOR ANIKUSHIN (General Cargo)
GT: 4,966 IMO No: 8728828 Flag: Russian Federation Company: Volga Neva Ltd Classification Society: Russian Maritime Register (RMRS) Recognised Organisation: Russian Maritime Register (RMRS) Recognised Organisation for ISM: Russian Maritime Register (RMRS)
Summary: 13 deficiencies (3) Grounds for detention
The vessel was detained in Sunderland because hatch access lids were corroded through and repaired with tape, the 15ppm alarm was inoperable as there was no electrical supply to the unit. Other deficiencies included; fuel oil tank self closing gauge glass held open; the starboard main engine fw cooler had 2 rubber patch repairs. A major non conformity was identified in respect of the maintenance procedures which had failed to comply with load line rules.
The vessel was still detained at 31/01/2009
Date & Place of Detention: 28/01/2009 (Belfast) Vessel Name: TRANSPORT (Oil/Chemical Tanker)
GT: 22,638 IMO No: 7923574 Flag: Liberia Company: Delfi SA Classification Society: Det Norske Veritas (DNV) Recognised Organisation: Det Norske Veritas (DNV) Recognised Organisation for ISM: Lloyds Register (LR)
Summary: 43 deficiencies (8) Grounds for detention
The vessel was detained in Belfast because the 3 cm radar had been inoperative since July 2008 and the VHF and MF/HF installations were not working correctly. In addition the air inlet to the emergency generator was holed below the fire damper and the exhaust gas boiler safety valve easing gear had been disconnected. A major non conformity was identified with regard to the maintenance of ship and equipment and the maintenance of records and documentation which was not in compliance with the ISM code.
Other deficiencies identified included The emergency battery and the emergency generator were not as required; a number of fire flaps and hatches throughout the vessel had missing dogs; escape routes from some cabins were blocked by iron bars and some crew cabins had naked lights in the showers . In addition the galley and pantries were unhygienic and in the officers laundry room light covers were missing and wash machines not secured.
The vessel was still detained at 31/01/2009
Date & Place of Detention: 29/01/2009 (Chatham) Vessel Name: SISU CANOPUS (Other Cargo)
GT: 2,599 IMO No: 9187162 Flag: Antigua & Barbuda Company: Transnautic Ship Management Classification Society: Bureau Veritas (BV) Recognised Organisation: Bureau Veritas (BV) Recognised Organisation for ISM: Bureau Veritas (BV)
Summary 24 Deficiencies (2) Grounds for detention
The vessel was detained in Chatham because oil was being pumped overboard into the dock via the ballast system, and the engine room bilges were covered in heavy oil. Other deficiencies identified included, the accommodation doors self closers needed adjusting; the ballast system needed cleaning; there was no record of engine room bilge water in the oil record book and safety ropes were missing at the lower level.
The vessel was still detained at 31/01/2009
Detentions carried over from previous months
Date & Place of detention: 20/09/2007 - Lowestoft Vessel Name: ST PIRAN (Other Cargo)
GT: 306 IMO No: 5085407 Flag: Sierra Leone Company: Charter Shipping Inc Classification Society: Phoenix Register of Shipping (PRS)
Summary: 18 deficiencies in total, (6 detainable).
The vessel was detained with a significant amount of oil leaking from the silencer drain soaking the exhaust manifold lagging of the main engine, causing an imminent fire hazard. There was no effective fire pump available due to the breakdown of the main engine, and the alternative submersible electric pump was not effective. Also the Aldis signalling lamp was out of order, the VHF radio installation had an incorrect MMSI number and the radio battery charger arrangement and power distribution were incorrect. Other deficiencies included: some inoperative navigation lights as well as improperly maintained emergency batteries and portable fire extinguishers.
The ship was still detained at 31/01/2009

NATIONAL SHIPPING BOARD

NATIONAL SHIPPING BOARD
4. Establishment of National Shipping Board5. Functions of National Shipping Board6. Power to make rule in respect of matters in this Part
4. Establishment of National Shipping Board�(1) With effect from such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in his behalf, there shall be established a Board to be called the National Shipping Board (hereinafter in this Part referred to as the Board).(2) The Board shall consist of the following members, namely:--(a) six members elected by Parliament, four by the House of the People from among its members and the other two by the Council of States from among its members;(b) such number of other members, not exceeding sixteen as the Central Government may think fit to appoint to the Board, to represent�(i) the Central Government,(ii) shipowners,(iii) seamen, and(iv) Such other interests as, in the opinion of the Central Government, ought to be represented on the Board;Provided that the Board shall include an equal number of persons representing the shipowners and seamen(3) The Central Government shall nominate one of the members of the Board to be the Chairman of the Board.(4) The Board shall have power to regulate its own procedure.5. Functions of National Shipping Board -- The Board shall advise the Central Government--(a) on matters relating to Indian shipping, including the development thereof; and(b) on such other matters arising out of this Act as the Central Government may refer to it for advice.6. Power to make rules in respect of matters in this Part�(1) The Central Government may make rules to carry out the purposes of this Part.(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:--(a) the term of office of members of the Board and the manner of filling casual vacancies in the Board;
(b) the appointment of officers and other employees to enable the Board to discharge its functions under section 5 and the terms and conditions of their service;
(c) the travelling and other allowances payable to members of the Board.

MARINE NEWS: Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC

MARINE NEWS: Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC

Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC

Engine Circular No.88 of 2007
No. ENG/ISM-59(4)/97
Dated 27th August, 2007
Sub: Flag State Inspection on Indian flag ships under a "Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC)"
This Directorate has decided to conduct Flag State Inspection on Indian flag ships under a "Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC)" on the implementation of ISM Code from 1st September 2007 till 31st December 2007. These audits and inspection will specially be carried out to verify the effective implementation of the Safety Management System (SMS) on board ships operating in and around the Indian Coast.
A sample C.I.C. questionnaire and explanatory note to the questions is attached herewith. Authorized Surveyor will conduct CIC on ISM Code in accordance with the CIC questionnaire. An unsatisfactory answer (s) in the questionnaire may not automatically lead to a detention, but the Surveyor may consider it for appropriate decision to be taken in such circumstances. Your special attention is drawn to the following 11 deficiencies that will be considered as "Major Non Conformities" under this CIC:
Relevant documentation regarding the Safety Management System (ISM Code)
The role of the Designated Person Ashore (DPA) (ISM Code 4) & officers unable to identify the D.P
Master�s responsibility and authority, e.g. reviewing the SMS (ISM Code 5)
Familiarization of crew members (ISM Code 6.3)
Procedures for reporting and analyzing non-conformities, accidents and hazardous occurrences, e.g. follow-up deficiencies from previous PSC inspection (ISM Code 9)
Programmes for drills and exercises to prepare for emergency situations (ISM Code 8.2) not being carried out.
Measures for establishing and maintaining contact with the shore-based management in an emergency (ISM Code 8.3)
Procedures to ensure that the ship is maintained in conformity with the provisions of the relevant rules and regulation and with any additional requirements established by the Company (ISM Code 10.1)
Procedures for identifying critical equipment/systems and measures to promote the reliability of such equipment/systems e.g. regular testing of stand-by equipment/system (ISM Code10.3)
Working language, e.g. information on the SMS is not given in a language understood by the crew (ISM Code 6.6, 6.7) & crew members cannot communicate with each other.
All detainable deficiencies related to hull, machinery or equipment.
Shipping Companies & Ship board Staff are therefore invited to take note of the following & prepare for the CIC.
Shipping Companies / Ship Managers
a) should distribute this circular to all Indian flag ships in their fleet; make sure that all shipboard staff are aware of the campaign & urge them to verify compliance with the requirements accordingly.
b) carry out similar inspection during company�s internal shipboard audit or ship inspection at the earliest opportunity.
c) to ensure Master & Senior Officer onboard ship could communicate effectively with PSCO in foreign ports or Surveyor during FSI, since poor communication shown during such interviews could lead to an extended inspection and subsequent detention of ship.
This issues with the approval of the Chief Surveyor with Govt. of India cum Additional D.G. (Tech.).
Sd/-(D. Mehrotra) Dy. Chief Surveyor-cum-Sr.DDG(Tech)

Lemon Bore slide bearings

Lemon BoreThe lemon or elliptical bore bearing is a variation on the plain bearing where the bearing clearance is reduced on one direction. During manufacture this bearing has shims installed at the split line and then bored cylindrical. When the shims are removed the lemon bore pattern is results. For horizontally split bearings, this design creates an increased vertical pre-load onto the shaft.
This bearing has a lower load carrying capacity that plain bearings, but are still susceptible to oil whirl at high speeds. Manufacturing and installation costs are considered low.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

New LBS notes Indexed version

Hello friends of Mariners,
New LBS notes has been sent to your email id's. Please check and make useful.
Thanks and regards
-Veera

Saturday, March 7, 2009

LATEST ORAL QUESTIONS FOR CHIEF ENGINEERS

Hello friends,
Latest Oral questions from Culcutta. Please find answers and post, so that everyone can be benifited. Thanks - Veera
1. What are the Five modules of MEO CL 1 syllabus ?
2. What is Apex of ISM ?
3. What are the new types of Bearing used in Engine ? ( Latest developmen of Bearings )
4. what is the advantage of uncooled turbocharger ?
5. How to incorporate the condition Monitoring system in PMS ?
6. What is the Difference between CONTROLLED COPY and UNCONTROLLED COPY ?
A). Which are all the documents onboard are Controlled copy and Uncontrolled copy ?
B). Once you join a ship how will you Identify that ( document ) ?
7. Civil labour clause ?
8. WRECK convention ?
9. What is the difference between LDC and MARPOL ?

Thursday, March 5, 2009

New Query

Can anyone collect material regarding Q) Why India doesn't become a full member of IACS ?
still an associate member ?
What are all the requirements to become a member of IACS ?
Which requirement India doesn't fulfill ?
regards
-Veera
you can send replies to veera.marine@gmail.com or Dolphinmarine@googlegroups.com

New Question Paper

Is anyone got latest Question papers(MEO CL 1) please send a scanned copy to this blog spot. Esp. Nov'08, Dec'08, Jan'09 and Feb '09.
- Veera

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Largest Ferry in the English Channel

The production of the first of the two huge ferries ordered by P& O Ferries started on the 3rd of March 2009 by cutting its first steel plate on STX Europe’s yard in Rauma, Finland.The roro-passenger ferries to carry freight and cars are scheduled for delivery in 2010 and 2011 for entering into Dover-Calais service. Becoming the largest ferry in the English Channel means a 49,000 GT vessel with the length of 689 ft and having 2,700 lane metres of vehicle space. There will be space for more than 180 freight vehicles and additionally for up to 195 tourist vehicles. The vessel will be capable of carrying up to 1,750 passengers.The vessels will be the first passenger ferries in the world to comply with the new International Maritime Organization "Safe Return to Port" requirements ahead of the international compliance date. These rules require that, in the event of a ship becoming a casualty, basic services are provided to all persons on board and that certain systems remain operational for safe return to port. Performance standards are stipulated for a wide range of ship systems including fire-fighting, power supply, propulsion, steering and navigation. The requirements come into force for vessels built after 1 July 2010.The ships will have the Lloyd's Register class notation of PSMR (Propulsion and Steering Machinery Redundancy) which will be assigned where the main propulsion and steering systems are configured to ensure that, in the event of equipment failure, the ship retains availability of propulsion power and maneuvering capability to provide a safe return to port.The ferries will also be as environmentally friendly as possible, offering significant advances in fuel efficiency through a hydro-dynamically efficient hull form that will optimize vessel performance with minimum fuel consumption.

Pirate Attack escape

The 74,000 dwt Liberian-flag panamax tanker Lia, commercially managed by Amsterdam-based Seaarland Shipping Management, and technically managed by Motia Compagnia di Navigazione, has escaped a pirate attack due to swift action by Euronav warships. The vessel’s crew, all 26 of whom are Indian nationals, are unhurt and the ship is proceeding normally on its voyage.The Lia had loaded its cargo of naphtha in Amsterdam/Limassol and was proceeding to its discharge destination in China. The vessel arrived at the meeting point in the Gulf of Aden and, as per company policy, awaited a naval escort to assist the vessel in the transit of the Gulf of Aden. The vessel was given a military escort by a Chinese warship along with three other vessels. On February 24, at 0900 hrs, the vessel experienced an engine malfunction and was forced to stop. At 0935hrs the officer of the watch detected on radar two high-speed craft approaching the vessel and closing in dangerously. The Master raised the alarm on board and the crew started taking action as per the standard vessel security plan. The Master asked the Chinese warship for immediate helicopter assistance, which arrived on the scene within minutes of the request. The helicopter positioned itself over the craft and the craft then ceased their approach to the Lia. After this prompt and professional action by the warship and its helicopter, the vessel escaped the attempted attack and resumed its voyage. The vessel completed safe transit of the Gulf of Aden on February 25 and is now proceeding to discharge its cargo in China. (http://www.seaarland.nl/)

Sunday, March 1, 2009

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