SAFETY4SEA Log Issue 22

56 I SAFETY 4SEA log I January 2018 I ISSUE 22 safety4sea.com M/V Emerald Star awakes liquefaction risks ► Following the sinking of the M/V Emerald Star, on 13 Oct 2017 off Philippines, INTERCARGO urged for extreme caution when loading nickel ore and other challenging cargoes and stressed the importance of adhering to the provisions in the IMSBC Code to maximize safety in the transportation of dry bulk cargoes. As evidenced by this latest tragedy, the great reduction in the quantity of nickel ore shipped from Indonesia by the regulations has not lessened the risk of liquefaction of the relevant cargo and operators are advised to take more precautious measures, i.e. to obtain independent samples for analysis and results prior to the vessel’s arrival in order to ascertain that the cargo is fit for loading. https://goo.gl/DKabbd Corruption during underwater hull inspections ► Following underwater hull inspec- tions in Ven- ezuelan ports, the divers reported that items such as nuts, bolts and pin locks had been missing from the hull, the Standard Club informed. After completing their diving operations, the divers requested that the Master pay in cash for them to replace all of the missing parts prior to the vessels departure. If a Master has refused to pay, the divers would then request that the authorities arrest the vessel on the basis that the underwater areas surveyed were readied for the placement of foreign objects. Thus, it is suspected that in many cases the divers themselves were the cause of the missing parts. In such cases, the Club advises operators to simply refuse to pay the divers for the reinstalling of the parts as the shipowner have the right to repair the ship anywhere else. Turkey bans ships from Crimea ► The Turkish government announced that it prohibits ships arriving from or calling at Crimean ports from visiting a Turkish Port. This ban comes in addition to Turkey embargo of ships related to Cyprus, which may further disrupt business for several ship operators. STS inspections in Fujairah ► It has been reported that the Fujairah port requires the STS inspections by the Harbour Master to be conducted prior to STS operations. Initially, the Fujairah Harbour Ma- ster issued a notice to Mariners which states that “Ships undergoing ship to ship oil cargo operation should pass a safety inspection conducted by Port Authority to confirm the vessels are in a good condition to conduct S.T.S oil cargo operation”. After few days, an additional note was issued stating that “ships having their safety inspection carried out within a span of six months by the Oil Majors or SIRE with satisfactory results are exempted from the safety inspection prior any S.T.S oil cargo operation. Still the Harbour Master has the authority to appoint an inde- pendent surveyor for conducting the safety inspection in case if required”. Cyprus imposes vessel restrictions ► Vessels cannot enter the Ports of Famagusta, Kara- vostasi and Kyrenia, as per order by the Republic of Cyprus. In particular, the country has taken restrictions in order to uphold and maintain the sovereignty of the Re- public of Cyprus over its ports and harbors and due to the fact that safety of navigation could no longer be guaran- teed in these areas illegally occupied by the Turkish Army since 1974. https://goo.gl/o5qFsP ALERTS