Paris & Tokyo MoU PSC analysis shows improvements

TIN news:  In latest ‘Signals’ publication, the North of England P&I Club includes an analysis of the results of the Paris and Tokyo MoU PSC Annual Reports (for 2015), which shows significant improvement in  the number of vessels being detained and the number of deficiencies being recorded. The Club further notes that although this decrease shows good signs for the overall quality of the world fleet, there is still room for improvements.

The majority of deficiencies reported by both the Tokyo and Paris MoU’s for 2015 relate to:

• ISM (both ship operations and resources and personnel)
• Fire doors/openings in fire divisions/ fire dampers
• Fire detection and alarms
• Vents and air pipes
• Lifeboats
• Nautical publications and charts
• Oil record book, oil filtering equipment and MARPOL.

The Club provides a combined analysis in any of the above categories of deficiencies including  the common issues which were reported in both PSC Annual Reports.

Considering that a large number of deficiencies and detentions will be recorded as ISM, the following notable issues ‘can be used as a catch-all by inspectors’ where there are numerous deficiencies:

• The vessels certification is not available, well organised or up to date.
• Crew certification and training is invalid.
• Critical and main equipment documents and books are not on board.
• Stability, damage stability and cargo documentation not available.
• Emergency towing manual unavailable.
• Cargo Securing Manual not updated or available.
• Crew not aware of their own responsibilities including in emergency situations, or in the use of emergency equipment on board
• Crew not aware of the company
• Designated Person Ashore and Company Security Officer.
• Crew unaware who the Ships Security Officer is.
• Crew have not completed a shipboard familiarisation induction, or records of this being completed are not available
• It is evident, no record exists of shipboard operations being carried out as per the company SMS. Evidence is usually in the form of checklists that are being completed and recorded.
• The crew have not reviewed the relevant section of the SMS applicable to them.
• The Master has not conducted his review of the SMS.
• Drills are not up to date and a drill matrix is not being maintained.
• Crew do not act correctly during drills conducted in front of the Port State Inspector.
• Planned maintenance is not in accordance with maker’s guidance or company procedures