STEP CHANGE FOR SAFETY GLOBAL SHARING OCT 2013 - DARE TO DARE | Page 9
GLOBAL SHARING MONTHLY NEWSLETTER – NOV. 2013 – DARE TO DARE
A KNOWLEDGEABLE MASTER UPHOLDS COMPANY’S POLICIES DESPITE COMMERCIAL PRESSURE
THE INCIDENT - The charterer requested the Captain of the PSV to flush the brine tanks and dump the
residues over the side. The Captain refused and informed the Charterer that he could not do this because
it was against Company Policy and MARPOL regulations. The Captain sent the Charterer the related IMO
convention (MARPOL) excerpt. The Charterer accepted Master's position. The Captain knew that by not
accepting the order of the Charterer, he was risking having the PSV put off Charter as well as
jeopardizing future business. It is well known that some Charterers do not accept 'no" as an answer.
In this case, the Captain dared the Charterer by refusing to obey his request, and, was able to quote the
MARPOL policy under which he was refusing the order.
LESSON LEARNT – The Captain of the vessel, as the front line manager for the company, must be
prepared to refuse orders which breach company and industry policies. In this case, the Captain did
exceptionally well by being able to quote the policy under which he was refusing, following which, the
Charterer accepted the Captain's position without dispute.
MESSAGE TO INDUSTRY - Charterers of vessels should not only refrain from requesting Captains to
perform unsafe acts or breach a policy, but, should also know the rules. In this case, in accordance with
MARPOL, any residues cannot be discharged from the vessel into the sea.
CHAPTER 4 - POLLUTION REQUIREMENTS
4.1 Each ship certified to carry noxious liquid substances should be provided with a Cargo Record Book, a Procedure
and Arrangements Manual and a Shipboard Marine Emergency Plan developed for the ship in accordance with Annex
II to MARPOL 73/78 and approved by the Administration.
4.2 Discharge into the sea of residues of noxious liquid substances permitted for the carriage in Ship Type 3, or
products listed in appendix 1 or ballast water, tank washings, or other residues or mixtures containing such
substances, is prohibited. Any discharges of residues and mixtures containing noxious liquid substances should be
to reception facilities in port. As a consequence of this prohibition, the Administration may waive the requirements
for efficient stripping and underwater discharge arrangements in MARPOL 73/78, Annex II.
PROACTIVE BRIDGE TEAM COUNTERS AN OVER-CONFIDENT SLOW REACTING PILOT
THE INCIDENT – Departure Ningbo vessel was proceeding on 102 (T) course instead of planned 085
(T) course, as there were few coastal vessels on port side (on parallel course) with a speed of about 10
kts. On discussion with pilot it was clarified that he intended to continue the same course (102) till he
overtakes all coasters and the return to planned track (085). After 15 minutes Master realized that
vessels speed was maintained at around 10.5 kts, which created a doubt in ship staff weather vessel, will
be able to overtake coasters safely. Chief Officer was also called on bridge as additional measure. 3/Off
was frequently checking the ship's position. Master asked pilot to slow down and let coasters pass and
then alter to port - to which pilot replied "DON'T WORRY CAPTAIN WE WILL OVERTAKE THEM". After
around another two mins Master again asked pilot to slow down or stop, as there was a shallow patch
ahead. Pilot finally realized the same and gradually stopped engines to let the coaster pass, and then
vessel was brought back to the planned track. Cause: There was no means of communication to coastal
vessels, not even via Ningbo VTS. The local The Pilot was not willing to wait for 5 minutes or increasing
the speed from beginning to avoid this close quarter situation.
LESSON LEARNT – Master’s assertive actions of calling Chief Officer, preparing engine room for
possible reverse engine orders, and instructing third officer to keep warning the coasters with sound/light )?????????????????????????????????????????)5MM ?Q