Panama scrutinizes inspectors and


ROs as part of its registry cleanup Panama has released new details of its program to clean up its fleet, including efforts to bring up the quality standards of its recognized organizations and inspectors. The action has been prompted by the downgrading of its flag to the “grey list” of the Paris MOU. Panama has embarked on a mission to improve its port state control performance, and it has described the effort as a “paramount issue.” The changes include tightening scrutiny of new applicants to the flag, attracting more newly built ships, rejecting ships over 30 years of age, evaluating the quality of older legacy tonnage, and high-grading the fleet. Panama is also taking the step of cracking down on sanctions-busting and illegal fishing.


But in a new statement, the Panama Maritime Authority added that it is going a step beyond the examination of its clients and their tonnage. It is also looking closely at the quality of oversight provided by its recognized


organizations and inspectors. According to the flag administration, it has picked up a trend of high levels of deficiencies and detentions for ships with valid documents from certain ROs. Panama has audited these ROs, and some have been suspended. Revocation of their status is a possibility going forward. Panama has also picked up on issues with flag state inspections carried out by some of its approved inspectors. In some of these cases, the inspector never attended the ship and carried out the task remotely, without approval from the flag state. So far, Panama has suspended three inspectors for poor performance, and 14 more are in the process of suspension. An additional nine have been cancelled from the approved inspection list altogether.


Archaeologists planning to raise ancient


Phoenician wreck The wreck of the Mazarron II (top center) with its protective metal enclosure (Arqua)


Archaeologists from the University of Valencia are laying the groundwork to raise the wreck of an ancient Phoenician lighter, the 2,700-year-old vessel known as the Mazarron II, from Spanish waters. When it was discovered in 1995, this boat changed the modern understanding of ancient Mediterranean shipbuilding techniques. The wooden wreck was remarkably intact after two and a half millenia, and well protected by overgrowth and sediment.


At the time of the boat’s discovery, the research team was already busy excavating another nearby find. In 1999-2001, researchers returned to the shallow site to fully excavate the boat and remove its cargo, including lead ingots, ropes, an amphora and a wood and lead anchor. These artifacts were priceless finds and they provided the first physical evidence of Phoenician shipping practices in Spain, as well as the first known use of constructed anchors.


The archaeologists left the fragile vessel itself on the bottom in hopes of avoiding damage to its structure. A faithful replica was created and put on display in Spain’s underwater archaeology museum so that the public could still interact with the historic find.


The first step was to conduct an intensive two-week survey of the vessel to create a baseline for its current condition and look for ways in which it could be safely moved. That process is complete, and the team is now working on codifying a rescue plan.


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