A WEB page enabling workers to gain rapid access to essential information about their health and safety rights and responsibilities has been set up by the Health and Safety Executive.

The "workers’ webpage" http://www.hse.gov.uk/ workers
- covers the roles and responsibilities of employers and employees, as well as issues such as ‘whistle-blowing’ and reporting accidents.

Simulators now in Windows format

KONGSBERG Maritime Ship Systems (KMSS) has launched Windows versions of its engine and cargo simulators. For use on desktop systems, the new format offers the same functionally as larger installation based simulators with all operations activated using a dual screen set-up. With most training organizations already competent in Windows, it is now a simple task to create a virtual classroom network.

The windows based simulator offers an enhanced communication toolset enabling increased interaction between instructor and student. Chat sessions can be conducted and saved via the instructor’s terminal, which offers a virtual classroom view of student terminals. This environment provides the instructor with extensive information which can be viewed in various forms: An Icon grouping, lists of student details, a directory structure and a mosaic view, which offers thumbnails images of all the screens in the virtual classroom. 

With increased communication and remote access to all student workstations, it’s now possible for instructors to send demonstrations and information to specific students for personal discussion. This function is extended further with the instructor’s ability to control the student’s terminal remotely.

Already renowned as the leading manufacture of ship engine and cargo simulators, KMSS continues to forge an unprecedented path in the ship simulation market, with this latest innovation proving it’s commitment to the world of maritime training.

Port state bodies go easy on STCW

TWO of the world’s leading port state control organizations appear to have given ground over introduction of the revised Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping convention.

The new rules came into effect at the end of July and require seafarers to upgrade their qualifications.  However, the last-minute rush to obtain the necessary certification and endorsement by a flag state has resulted in a paper log jam which has left large numbers still without documents.

Now, the Paris and Tokyo Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) have issued statements threatening strict enforcement of the convention, but are reported to have opened a loophole which will allow uncertificated seafarers to continue to work.  Inspectors will apparently accept documentary proof that an application for endorsement has been made.  Ships whose crews do not have either the appropriate or proof of application may even escape detention “if all other documentation is in order.”

The MOUs are reported to have warned, however, that ships with seafarers without proper certificate will still risk detention “if the deficiencies represent an unreasonable danger to persons, properly or the environment, taking into account the length and nature of the voyage, the level of non-compliance and other factors”.

The so-called STCW95 had been due to take effect at the beginning of February, but was delayed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) at the last minute when it became clear that much of the shipping industry was ill-prepared.  The owners’ organization, the International Shipping Federation, wrote to IMO as the new deadline loomed, appealing for flexibility.

Their action has been criticized by the UK officers’ union Numast national secretary Allan Graveson, who said: “It is shameful that the industry had seven years to prepare for the implementation of STCW ‘95 and has still not got its act together.”

US issues warning on ME shipping

THE United States Navy has issued a warning on shipping in the Middle East Gulf against possible planned attacks by al-Qaeda against oil tankers.The warning came amid heightened market anxieties over possible attack by the US of Iraq.

“According to unconfirmed reports circulating within the regional shipping community, the al-Qaeda terrorist group has planned attacks against oil tankers transiting the Arabian Gulf and Horn of Africa areas,’’ the warning from the US Navy’s Maritime Liaison Office in Bahrain said.

A spokesman for the US Navy in Bahrain said it was the first time the Navy has released such a notice following the September 11 attacks on the United States last year.

“While the US Navy has no specific details on the timing or means of the planned attacks, and there are no indications that an attack is imminent, the threat should be regarded seriously,” it added.

South Korea to fight EU on shipping dispute

SOUTH Korea is ready to fight any case  brought against it by the European Union in the World Trade Organization after talks failed to settle bilateral shipping dispute, its commerce ministry said. 

The EU said that it would take its case to the WTO after talks in Brussels between the two sides failed to resolve the dispute. It alleged that South Korea subsidizes its shipbuilding industry, which is the largest in the world, giving it an unfair advantage over competitors. South Korea, however, dismissed the claim, saying its manufacturers are simply more efficient and benefits from a weaker currency.

‘’Given that (South Korea) government has been prepared in case the EU takes that issue to the WTO, we will actively counter,” the South Korean commerce ministry said in a statement. However, the ministry added that it’s still open for further talks with the European Union on the issue. 

On the EU demands that South Korea raise the prices of its ship, the ministry said that was too drastic and Korea had suggested gradual increases instead. “It is unreasonable demand, countering the market mechanism and the free trade principle,” it added.

“While it is not sure if other major shipbuilders such as Japan and China would join in such a move (price hikes), accepting it would hurt out shipyards too much,” it said.

The ministry said the European Union had demanded price increases in seven categories of ships, including container ships and vessels carrying liquefied natural gas which account for 60 percent of South Korea’s total ship orders.         

Steer well clear of Somali waters — IMB

STEER well clear of Somalia waters, warns the International Maritime Bureau (IMB). Failure to do so and you are absolutely certain to be attacked by pirates.

In its latest report, IMB draws particular attention to the dangers posed by armed militias along the Somali coast. Over the past six months, it says, the risk of vessels straying too close to the shore being boarded by criminals has risen “from one of possibility to certainty.” Gangs have been successful in extorting large sums from owners for the return of ships and crews.

Among the case the IMB report details is that of the Panagia Timou which was boarded when it was forced near the coast by engine trouble. Negotiations between insurers and kidnappers secured the crew’s release, but while the pirates were aboard there were two other attacks on the ship by different gangs. A German warship eventually escorted the Panagia Timou out of danger. 

Piracy attacks reported to the bureau rose to 171 in the fist six months of this year — an increase of six over the same period last year. Six seafarers were killed, double the previous figure. Injuries to crew rose from 19 to 21; hijacking increased to 14 from 12.
Indonesia hung on to its dubious reputation of the world’s riskiest place for shipping, with 44 reported incidents. Next in line were India (12) and Bangladesh (11). However, the latter two nations have seen attacks decline as a result of increased patrolling.

Meanwhile, Ecuador has been tightening anti-piracy measures following attacks around Guayaquil in recent months. In the future, ships will have to wait in designated areas for “secure transit to the port” accompanied by armed officers.

Ship condition linked to safety of crew

PROBLEMS with safety on board accounted for more than half the deficiencies detected last year by port state control inspectors from countries which belong to the Paris Memorandum of Understanding. 

According to the organisation’s  annual report, 53 percent of the 68,756 deficiencies recorded were linked to life saving appliances, fire fighting equipment, safety in general and navigation. This was an increase of 8 per cent since 1999.

Expressing concern about the rise in safety management defects, the Paris MOU declared: “It is widely recognised that there is a close correlation between safety and working and living... bulk carriers and dry cargo ships are sometimes found in an appalling condition for the crew. Combined with contracts of long service on board and extensive working hours, there is no room for a safety culture on board these ships.” 

It criticized “many flag states of classification societies” for taking no interest or denying responsibility and leaving it to port states “to pick up the pieces.” 

Many owners of older tonnage show little concern for safety standards, it said, and a number of flag states which certify them “have more concern for their revenues than safety standards.”

It identified those states as “hard core” states which appear on its “very high risk” black list as Albania, Bolivia, Sao Tome and Principe and Honduras. Tonga, a newcomer to the list, has indicated it is shutting down its register. Among the nations which have moved from the so-called grey list to the black are India, Azerbaijan and Bulgaria. 

Now that the revised Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping code has come into effect, the Paris MOU is promising strict enforcement at ports in its region. At the same time, however, it is considering a system for rewarding operators of quality shipping by reducing the number of inspections their ships are subject to.   

Evergreen Marine sinks into red

TAIWAN’s Evergreen Marine, one of the world’s largest shipping firms, announced recently that it made a T$0.19 loss per share in the first half of 2002, a swing from a per-share profit of T$0.15 in the same 2001 period.

Evergreen said first-half net losses amounted to T$377 million against net profit of T$303 million in the corresponding period last year, it said in a statement, adding that the company’s July sales fell 25 percent year on year to T$1,023 billion.

MAKING THE COUNT

Coast Guard celebrates 101st anniversary

UFS celebrates National Seafarers’ Week in style

INSPIRING THE SEAFARER

You can now join or start any discussion on seafarer's issues anytime or anywhere you are with
Usapang Marino
(Seafarer's Forum)
at URL: http://www.ufs.ph/discus