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  6. 3.1.9 Access to the vessel, crew and documentation - no admission of liability
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3.1.9 Access to the vessel, crew and documentation - no admission of liability

Gard Guidance Masters

3.1.9 ACCESS TO THE VESSEL, CREW AND DOCUMENTATION – NO ADMISSION OF LIABILITY

Accidents not only attract the attention of the public and the media, but also potential claimants. Access to the vessel should only be granted in accordance with the Company’s and the vessel’s SSP under the ISPS Code. Therefore, nobody should be allowed access to the vessel unless they are

  • authorised by law (national or local authorities, ambulance, police etc.) and have properly identified themselves
  • authorised to act for or on behalf of the Company or the P&I or Hull and Machinery insurers and have properly identified themselves.

    All persons allowed on board should be accompanied by a crew member at all times, preferably an officer, or a surveyor instructed to act for the vessel.

    The Master and the crew should not talk to anyone unless the individual person produces proof that they are authorised to act for and on behalf of the Company or the insurer. This applies in particular to people claiming to be “underwriter’s representatives” or “surveyors”. Any representatives of the media should be referred to the Company.

    The Master should never show, disclose or hand out documents to anybody except those authorised by and identified to act for the Company or the insurer.

     
    The Master should never admit liability on behalf of the company, vessel or crew unless expressly authorised to do so by the company, the insurer or the Company’s own lawyer.