Loss Prevention Material

USCG releases new ballast water management reporting form

ALERT
13 AUG 2020

On 20 July 2020 the United States Coast Guard adopted revisions to its Ballast Water Management (BWM) Reporting Form. The new reporting form replaces all previous versions and the National Ballast Information Clearinghouse (NBIC) will no longer accept older versions of the form.
Reducing the risk of collisions at sea

ALERT
11 AUG 2020

Failure to maintain a proper lookout and to take early avoiding action are common contributing factors to collisions, say Australian authorities.
Beirut - port situation

ALERT
06 AUG 2020

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Updated 11 August 2020

Following the initial closure of the port of Beirut after the recent explosion, some container operations have now resumed where vessels have been allowed to discharge their cargo at the local container terminal.
AMSA inspection campaign to focus on stowage and securing of containers

ALERT
27 JUL 2020

In response to several incidents of containers being lost into the sea, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has initiated a focused inspection campaign on container stowage and securing arrangements, both fixed and portable, that will run from 1 August 2020 to 31 October 2020.
The importance of manifold and first foot samples at load ports

ALERT
24 JUL 2020

Following the standard tanker practices of sampling when loading petroleum products could save owners millions of dollars in claims and save loss of time and ensuing losses for charterers and shipowners. When it comes to dealing with liquid cargo contamination claims, majority of the losses could have been avoided if the vessel had followed basic tanker seamanship practice.
Emergency preparedness on the PSC agenda

ALERT
15 JUL 2020

Muster lists lacking sufficient detail was one of the most notable deficiencies found by port state control regimes during their concentrated inspection campaign on emergency systems in 2019.
Turkey – a case of undeclared bunker

ALERT
09 JUL 2020

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Undeclared/excess bunkers can be considered a criminal act by Turkish customs officials with the ship's crew being accused of smuggling.
Updated guidelines on the carriage of seed cake in containers

ALERT
02 JUL 2020

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CINS and the International Group of P&I Clubs have now further updated the recent guidelines on the carriage of Seed Cake in containers.
Be prepared to document carbon emissions during PSC inspections

ALERT
30 JUN 2020

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By 30 June 2020, ships that used EU ports in 2019 must carry onboard a document certifying that they have fulfilled their obligations under the EU regulation for monitoring, reporting and verification of CO₂ emissions for the 2019 reporting period. The comparable deadline under the global IMO data collection system was 31 May 2020.
South Korea implements emission reduction initiatives in major port areas

ALERT
11 JUN 2020

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From 1 September 2020 all ships anchored or at berth in the Korean ports of Incheon, Pyeongtaek-Dangjin, Yeosu-Gwangyang, Busan and Ulsan must burn fuel with a maximum sulphur content of 0.10%.
Signing on with a pre joining medical condition? Carry and take prescribed medication on time

ALERT
09 JUN 2020

Every seafarer has to go through a pre-joining medical examination where a doctor verifies their fitness for the upcoming contractual period. Some seafarers may be declared fit for the tour of duty under conditions that may require regular medication. In Gard, we see a significant number of cases where the seafarer who was declared fit for the contractual duration under medication, reports sick because of either a lack of medication or simply not being able to manage his or her medication routine.
Impacts of marine fauna on shipping

ALERT
04 JUN 2020

While shipping traffic is one of many human activities in the ocean that may have an adverse impact on marine life, the opposite is also true. The presence of marine fauna in some geographic regions can pose a serious threat to the safety of ships and the individual seafarer.
Don’t forget the real purpose of risk assessments

ALERT
27 MAY 2020

When doing a risk assessment, we often overcomplicate it and forget its real purpose.
A permit to work contributes to safety but you make a job safe

ALERT
20 MAY 2020

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A permit to work (PTW) is a formal authorization system to control work activities and is considered to be an integral part of safe work systems.
New COVID-19 guidelines focus on safe interface between ship and shore staff

ALERT
12 MAY 2020

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At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the global population, it is important that ships’ crew and port workers protect each other from being exposed to the virus.
Anchor awareness

ALERT
07 MAY 2020

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In the current trading environment with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and worldwide economic downturn, the period spent waiting at anchorage outside ports around the world may increase for some ships. Lost and dragging anchors are the root causes of many groundings and collisions occurring while waiting at anchorages, and ship operators, Masters and crew need to be aware of the risks involved and thoroughly assess the limitations of a vessels’ anchoring equipment.
Three things to watch out for when welding - wetness, improper earthing and inappropriate PPE

ALERT
06 MAY 2020

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Welders onboard face an array of hazards, with electric shock being the most serious. The human body is a good conductor of electricity and even low currents can lead to paralysis, burns or even death.
#HeroesAtSeaShoutOut - Supporting the unsung heroes of global trade

ALERT
30 APR 2020

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Gard joins the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) and other fellow industry bodies to call on ships across the globe to sound their horns when in port at 12.00 local time on 1st May 2020.
Fixed gas detection systems – are you sure the correct gas concentration is displayed?

ALERT
28 APR 2020

During routine port state control inspections, the USCG found that fixed gas detection system sensors on a few LNG carriers were outside the tolerances established by the manufacturer and failed subsequent calibration checks.
Piracy in the Gulf of Mexico

ALERT
22 APR 2020

As the first three weeks of April 2020 has seen a high number of piracy attacks on offshore support vessels in the southern rim of the Gulf of Mexico we advise ships to exercise caution when operating in the region.