Frequent Deficiencies per PSC Authority

14 June 2017 |  C17024

We wish to bring to everyone’s attention the areas of inspection that record the most frequent deficiencies by each Port State Control (PSC) Authority at the Paris, Tokyo and Black Sea MoUs on PSC.

NOTICE TO
Ship Owners/ Managers/ Operators | Flag State Administrations | Surveyors/ Auditors

The analysis is carried out in an attempt to eliminate the number of deficiencies on board DBS ships.  The analysis includes areas of inspection and total deficiencies recorded by the three PSC Authorities and not deficiencies imposed to DBS fleet.  For the specific PSC areas of inspection that record the majority of deficiencies on board our fleet please download our annual reports here.

Paris MoU

The areas of inspection that record the majority of deficiencies within the Paris MoU are:

• Fire safety [13.4%]
• Safety of Navigation [13%]

Black Sea MoU

The areas of inspection that record the majority of deficiencies within the Black Sea MoU are:

• Safety of Navigation [18%]
• Lifesaving appliances [14%]
• Fire safety [10%]

Tokyo MoU

The areas of inspection that record the majority of deficiencies within the Tokyo MoU are:

• Fire safety [16.8%]
• Safety of Navigation [14.1%]
• Lifesaving appliances [11.8%]

For the full analysis please refer to the table overleaf.

Recommendation

Fire Safety

It is important to ensure that all fire dampers are properly closing, working and free from corrosion.  The emergency fire pump must easily be started and in good working condition.  The crew must be familiar with the use and start of the fire pumps.  During a test, it is important to ensure that the two fire hoses on deck have sufficient pressure.  The fire main and all hydrants must be in good condition without signs of corrosion or wastage and without soft patches as well as the couplings and valves must be free of leakages.  The fire doors must be properly closed with no hold-backs.  The fireman’s outfit must be in good condition, ready for use and its bottles filled up. Emergency Escape Breathing Devices (EEBDs) must be available in required amount (plus additional training units) and distributed as per fire plan within superstructure and engine room.  The international shore connection including reduces piece with appropriate bolds and nuts must be available as per approved Fire & Safety plan.

Safety of Navigation

You must ensure that charts and nautical publications are always updated for the intended voyage as well as the latest “Notice to Mariners” must be on board (refer to DBS publication here).  The passage plan must be written from berth to berth by the crew.  The magnetic compass must be readable from conning position, compass bowl must be without any air bubbles.  Steering gear including rudder angle indicator as well as emergency steering gear including switch-over devices must be in good operating condition and the steering gear alarm functioning. Also, instructions for switch-over handling must be posted in vicinity.  The AIS and VDR must be in good working condition, annual service tests must be carried out and necessary documentation found on board.  The LRIT must be in good working condition and the conformance test documentation must be found on board.  Lastly, the navigation lights, shapes and sound signals must be in good working condition and operable.

Lifesaving Appliances

The lifeboats/ rescue boats must be inspected for possible damages, the motor must start easily and the crew must be familiar with starting operations.  The on-load release gear position must be as required and all launching appliances must be in good order.  The necessary drills must be carried out (refer to DBS publication here).  The life rafts must be correctly fastened with HRU.  The lifejackets (including whistles plus lights and non-outdated batteries) must be in good condition and sufficient amount as per the SOLAS/SAFEQ Certificate. Additional lifejackets must be available on board.  All instructions and training manuals must be ship-specific.  The annual service tests of all LSA must be performed as required and valid certificates must be placed on board.

Act now

Owners/ Managers are encourage to take a note of the above mentioned information and if necessary corrective actions to be implemented in order to avoid possible deficiencies.  We strongly encourage the crew on board to use DBS PSC Inspection Checklist, available in our annual publication, prior the ship’s arrival into port.