Lessons learned 1
Detecting Small Vessels
Sometimes, mariners on board larger vessels cannot see small recreational or commercial vessels, increasing the risk of a collision. Fitting small vessels with equipment such as radar reflectors or AIS improves the opportunity for vessels with radar, when combined with a proper visual lookout, to detect these smaller vessels and take action to avoid a collision.
2 3 Effectively Communicating
Effective communication between firefighting teams and a unified command or between mariners making passing arrangements is critical. Clear communication by the most prudent method, whether by radio or face-to-face, can be an effective measure in reducing damage or averting a casualty. Additionally, repeating orders or passing arrangements can help ensure everyone is on the same page.
Proactively Inspecting Equipment Inspection programs can identify deficiencies before equipment fails. For example, conducting periodic inspections is prudent for equipment at high risk for corrosion - such as pierside bollards or wire ropes used on vessels - especially when their location is in or near saltwater environments, which can significantly affect service life. It is also good practice to develop a means to periodically inspect equipment and vessel systems that are difficult to access, such as those that run through tight spaces or are located near structures, other equipment, or materials that obstruct direct observation.
4
Mitigating Fatigue
Crew fatigue can increase the likelihood of a casualty, as it impacts all aspects of human performance. Inadequate sleep can lead to poor decision-making, decreased alertness, and slower reaction time. Mariners should understand the performance effects of sleep loss and recognize the dangers of fatigue. Company operational policies and requirements should incorporate and follow fatigue management best practices to ensure that crewmembers receive enough rest to adequately perform navigational, lookout, engineering, and other watchstander duties. Companies and vessel captains should also actively monitor watch schedules and any off-watch work performed by their crews to ensure adherence to fatigue mitigation policies. Further, they should adjust watch schedules to prevent crew fatigue.
5 Anticipating Fire Hazards
Fire is a serious threat - and, unfortunately, common occurrence - on board vessels. Fires can cause significant damage to a vessel or its cargo, equipment, and personnel. It is critical to ensure that combustible materials such as cardboard boxes or oily rags are properly stored (or disposed of). In addition, crewmembers involved in hot work should be trained to identify potential fire hazards, such as combustibles, and take action to remove or protect them from hot work.
6
Improving Firefighting Training Firefighters or crews untrained in the complexities of managing fires on vessels can increase the chance that fires will damage or destroy vessels, or even lead to injuries or deaths. To prevent engine room fires and ensure they are effectively contained, operators should provide mariners realistic scenario- based training, including training that covers engine room emergencies. This training should also cover procedures for effectively shutting down machinery, fuel oil, lube oil, and ventilation systems, as well as boundary monitoring. In addition, because mariners may need to work with shoreside firefighters to extinguish vessel fires, it is important to educate land based firefighting teams that potentially respond to shipboard fires on marine vessel firefighting tactics, so they can avoid risks such as breaking a fire boundary or releasing accumulated firefighting water by opening watertight doors.
7
Conducting Timely Hull Maintenance and Repair To protect vessels and the environment, it is good marine practice for vessel owners to conduct regular oversight and maintenance of hulls, including between drydock periods. An effective maintenance and hull inspection program should proactively address potential steel wastage, identify hull and watertight integrity deficiencies, and require the repair of corrosion issues in a timely manner by permanent means. Periodic out- of-water examinations and hull gauging by qualified individuals such as a marine inspectors or surveyors can help determine the material condition of the vessel’s hull and identify areas of corrosion and fatigue.
THE REPORT | SEP 2024 | ISSUE 109 | 29
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