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Read MoreVIQ Ch 8 cargo equipment related observations
Dear ITOSF fellows, below two VIQ Ch 8 (chemicals) questions comes quite often as repeated on our records, mainly due pressure / vacuum sensor faults (on board cargo being high viscosity), or the level alarms and remote level gauges not functioning properly. 8.29 Are the cargo system tank pressure, temperature, and level gauges in good order and is there evidence of regular testing? 8.30 Are the remote and local temperature and pressure sensors and gauges, in good order and is there evidence of regular testing? I wonder whether any of you developed standard contingency measures, if such equipment fail, so that crew would be able to better respond? Of course we do say to vessels to fix a pressure and vacuum...
Read MoreThoughts on Behavior Based Safety
One word – EXPOSURE. Ideally BBS or any other type of targeted / focussed safety approach should have just one goal. Reducing EXPOSURE. To achieve this end, experience and common sense dictates that we follow the hierarchy of controls (which we usually end up doing during our routine risk assessments) to reduce exposure. Let’s consider examples to better illustrate the hierarchy of controls. Remove the exposure completely. For example eliminating items which may have been deemed to be a tripping hazard or where someone could hit their head etc. Failing this the next best thing would be to work around and minimize exposure. This would include creating marked walkways around dangers, machinery cages, an extended handle to operate a tricky valve etc. If the...
Read MoreQuestion regarding double-bottom ballast tank inspection prior to discharge
I am hoping some esteemed collegues in ITOSF could advise on the following. What is the best practice for inspecting double-bottom ballast tanks that do not have access trunks or inspection ports, prior to discharge? On this particular ship, the access manhole covers are in the fwd void and pumproom respectively.
Read MoreSnuffers for PV valves on Chemical tankers
Feedback from some PV valves Makers that their valves act as both flame arrestors and impossible for backflash to occur.Appreciate to receive comments from fellow chemical tanker operators on the use of N2 snuffing system on PV valves fires. Would it be an overkill?
Read MoreMARPOL Annex V Amendments
So what about deck wask water? Has anyone considered disposal of deck wash water after washing down all that soot from the poop? Or what about the disposal of spent grit or the associated paint chippings and scale. I would be really interested to hear from members about proposed procedures and landing of such waste. Does anyone with vessels operating in special areas have experince of managing such waste.
Read More3rd party exposure hours
How many of us are tracking exposure hours of outsiders on board our ships. We had been doing this for a few years now and the numbers add up quite fast especially for vessels on short haul trades. I’m talking about all non-crewmembers visiting the vessel all the time. Technicians, cargo surveyours, pilots, inspectors etc. etc. etc. This data is available clearly from the gangway logs, which thanks to ISPS we all maintain very diligently. The total time on board by visitors needs to be added up at the end of each month by ship’s staff and reported. This is then added to the existing crew member exposure hours data. Our goal is to keep a safe environment on board at all times, this includes for crew members as well as all visitors. So why not track the...
Read MoreSome observations of overzealous inspector worth sharing!!!!
recently one of tankers of our fleet underwent SIRE vetting and following observations were noted: 1. VIQ 5.48 IMO sign launching instructions not sighted near the life raft/ life boat, however written instructions (in English) are posted. Vessel complies with SOLAS III/9.2 (including IMO symbols as necessary). This fact was brought to his notice by Master but in vain. He wants every operating step in pictorial form!!!!! 2. VIQ 11.30 Not all insulation mats are marked with the protective voltage. Prototype certificate of Rubber mats was shown to the inspector by Master but again of no use. He wants to see approved voltage stamped on each rubber mat near switchboard. The implications of such observations is that any oil major interested in hiring the tanker will...
Read MoreMLC 2006 implementation – documentation in SMS!!!
I am interested to know how other companies are incorporating MLC 2006. Are you adding pages and pages of MLC-2006 requirements to your SMS other any other way? Your input is appreciated.
Read MoreEffective SIRE reponses
There are some fundamental facts and principles we should refresh and which every operator should keep in mind while responding to SIRE observations. I’m sure we are all aware of these things already, however it is of utmost importance to keep them in mind while writing owner’s responses. This will probably be especially helpful to newer superintendents… - SIRE RESPONSES NEED TO SATISFY ALL OIL COMPANIES. I think the reasons are obvious, as anyone looking to charter your ship is going to pull it up and risk assess the report. If they don’t understand it fully, they will reject the vessel and you will probably get a call from your time charterer (in case of TC vessels)! So from an operator’s response perspective, which company...
Read More9th ITOSF – Singapore 25-26 Sept: Eni issue invitation
Just picked up the following on LinkedIn groups ITOSF (Asia) Forum:-Eni Trading & Shipping SpA have now issued the invitation to the 9th ITOSF to be held in Singapore 25-26 September. Following taken from their invitation sent 21 August. Send an email to the hotel email address below to receive the registration form for the event and the hotel: Qte:-We at Eni Trading & Shipping S.p.A., Singapore Branch are delighted to have the opportunity to host the “9th Informal Tanker Operators Safety Forum (ITOSF)” at Singapore on the 25th and 26th September 2012. As you may know this is an informal gathering of tanker operators who agree to share safety statistics and incidents with each other in order to continuously improve the safety records within the...
Read MoreCan we use this forum for anonymous benchmarking?
Let us start with the LTIF benchmarking survey below (at the bottom of post) and give it a good shot. All are requested to vote to build up the number of responses, so we can get a more reliable industry statistic. For any other poll / survey / benchmark that you would like to conduct, please send an email with details to administrator@itosf.org and we can publish it for voting by members. The results of the vote will also be easily available just below the poll. You are also requested to leave comments about how we can better provide value to the forum and its membership with intelligent surveys / polls / benchmarks. We will list out our...
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