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  FLASHLIGHT - Januaray 2005            Edition No: 37

(Past editions can be viewed on http://www.asiaconference.biz)

Question of the month ...

The detention of the master in a case such as the Prestige will have an effect on the morale of the industry and possibly affect future recruitment if it is considered that the detention is unreasonable, excessively long or the conditions for release thought to be disproportionate. Governments should take these effects into consideration when contemplating action against the master of a ship involved in an incident.?

Final words of the report resulting from the inquiry into the loss of the Prestige.

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'I have simple tastes.  I am always satisfied with the best'
Oscar Wilde


CONTENTS (for full stories, select a headline)

At the Bow

FLASHLIGHT is a free monthly emailed newsletter circulated to more than 4,000 people involved in marine surveying around the world.  It is circulated to anybody who wishes to receive a copy, eg, Marine Surveyors, P&I Clubs, their correspondents, Underwriters, Professional Institutes, Admiralty Lawyers, etc. Please pass it on to any of your contacts who you feel might be interested in receiving it.  If you do not wish to be included in the circulation list, please contact the Editor at the email address below.  Letters, opinions and articles relating to our profession are welcomed for the newsletter.

New Members this month:

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Spindrift

Marine Society

The world's oldest nautical charity, The Marine Society, has formally merged with the Sea Cadet Association to form Britain's biggest maritime and youth charity.  Under the new title 'The Marine Society and Sea Cadets' the new body will promote nautical education, training and youth opportunities in support of both the Merchant and the Royal Navies.  Services to seafarers will not be affected by the merger.

Galileo costly

The UK House of Commons transport committee has warned that the GBP3.5 billion Galileo project is likely to cost taxpayers far more than expected.  They argue that the EC had failed to make clear how the proposed new satellite navigation system, due to be launched in 2008, would benefit member states or the size of the potential market for Galileo which has been designed to provide an alternative to the US Global Positioning System.

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Salvage collapse threat

Speaking at seminars in Spain and South Korea, International Salvage Union (ISU) President Hans van Rooij called for the creation of a new system of funding for salvage services.  He warned that salvors are struggling to survive in a market with declining workloads and diminishing returns.  He stressed that "At some point the salvage industry, as a network providing global emergency services, will collapse unless something is done."  He urged Owners, P&I Clubs and insurers to support the introduction of a new income stream for salvors, based on a supplementary reward for environmental salvage.  "The introduction of parallel remuneration, salvage award and environmental award, would place global salvage services on a secure footing for decades to come" said Mr Van Rooij.

IMB Alert

The International Maritime Bureau has issued a special alert to shipping following several violent attacks on ships in Nigerian waters.  In one csae, 12 robbers armed with guns, knives and axes in speedboats boarded a tanker at Lagos anchorage.  The Master and Third Officer werre wounded as the pirates threatened them with knives before stealing cash and valuables.  In another recent case in the Eskravos River, pirates shot at crew members on a reefer, holding one hostage before stealing cash, personal effects and ship's property.  Other incidents were reported in Guyana, Inda, Jamaica, Brazil, the Malacca Straits and Indonesia.

Class Review

The head of ABS has called for the industry to cooperate in a radical review of Classification Society responsibilities.  Speaking at the Royal Institution of Naval Architects in London, ABS Chairman Robert Somerville said Owners, Flag States, Shipbuilders and Class should get together to reconsider the role and value of the Class process. He said that the introduction of common rules for tankers and bulkl carriers by IACS represented the  most fundamental change in the structure of Class in its history.  Noting that the tanker industry had demanded that older vessels be put through a condition assessment programme (CAP) that exceeds Class requirements, he questioned whether Class should return to its roots and reintroduce a true Classification of vessels, arguing that if Class was  meeting the needs of the industry there would be no need for CAP. Other issues requiring urgent discussion by the industry included the 'potentially runious' exposure of Class to unlimited liability.

Stowaway warning

P&I Clubs are urging seafarers to intensify stowaway searches follwing a number of cases where they have been discovered hiding in ships' rudder housings. In most of these cases the stowaways have been found dead or in very poor condition such that the UK P&I Club has urged crews to step up searches and ensure that hard to reach locations, such as the void space around the rudder stock are thoroughly checked.

Call for action on hours

The head of the UK MAIB has raised concern about the impact of seafarer fatigue and repeated calls for action to tackle the problem.  Writing in the latest MAIB digest, the Chief Inspector Stephen Meyer said the publication contained details fo more collisions, gfounbdings and near misses, questioning why 'the Rules' are not being universally and appropriately applied.  "Here we must consider two factors: the growing plethora of things to dstract the OOW on the bridge, and fatigue" he added.  Too many mariners consider that the only affect of fatigue that they need to be concerned about is falling asleep which is patently nonsense.  Fatigue affects a person's alertness, comprehension, decision making abilities, judgment, awareness of danger and many other capabilities essential to the OOW.

Top 10 detention problems

A recent report by DnV, analysing ship detentions by the four main PSC regimes between 2001 and 2003 showed the 10 most common reasons for detentions as:

1. Inefficient, deteriorating or inoperable ventilation and fire dampers.
2. Faulty fire pumps.
3. Inoperable and damaged lifeboats.
4. Ineffective ISM maintenance.
5. Malfunctioining or bypassed oil filtering equipment.
6. Lifeboat launching arrangements corroded, seized or obstructed.
7. Corroded ventilators, air pipes and casing.
8. Dirty engine rooms and bilges.
9. Abandon ship drills not effecively performed.
10. Corroded fire fighting installations.

DnV has publsided a special Masters' checklist for preventive maintenance focusing on these items.
(With thanks to the NUMAST Shipping Telegraph)

Protest over shackled seafarers

THE Philippines government has issued a diplomatic protest against the US for the way 13 Filipino seafarers have been treated. The crew of the bulk carrier Katerina are material witnesses for pollution cases lodged against their superiors by the US Coast Guard. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Philippine Embassy in Washington had filed a formal note with the US State Department to bring to its attention the poor treatment of the seafarers, who are under arrest for dumping oily waste and sewage overboard. A DFA statement said the diplomatic note protested against the "unnecessarily severe treatment of the 13 Filipino crew of the Katerina who were restrained with shackles and leg irons? when they were brought to a court in Los Angeles. The Katerina, which docked at Long Beach on 11 September, was detained by the USCG after an inspection showed the crew had discharged oil-contaminated wastes at sea and falsified pollution prevention records.

What to do with a drunken master?

US Coast Guard officials held the Panama-registered bulker General Lee 12 n-miles off the coast of Virginia because the captain was found drunk during a boarding.  Sea marshals boarded the 3,120 dwt ship at about 0600 on 12 January 2005 and one officer smelled alcohol on the master?s breath, spokesman Jerry Crooks told Fairplay. The unnamed man then failed a field sobriety test and refused a subsequent Breathalyzer (chemical) test. Under US law, anyone refusing the chemical test is presumed to be intoxicated. The Oahu Maritime Corp owned and operated vessel has a long history of run-ins with the US Coast Guard over safety infractions in ports ranging from New Orleans to Tampa and most recently Savannah on 23 December. The Coast Guard said its usual targeting system selected the General Lee for an offshore safety inspection and boarding.  The vessel was required to wait until the captain passed the chemical breath test before being allowed to enter Hampton Roads. The Coast Guard is currently seeking civil penalties against the operator.

Engineers sentenced for dumping

TWO chief engineers from Petraia Maritime bulk carrier Kent Navigator have been sentenced to two years probation and received $3,000 fines for their roles in falsifying log books to disguise illegal dumping of waste oil. Alfredo Lozada

and Felipe Arcolas were sentenced yesterday in the US and must spend the first month of their probation under house arrest. The prosecution resulted from an anonymous tip to the Coast Guard that prompted an inspection of the 16,560 dwt vessel. Inspectors found oily residue in piping that led to overboard discharge valves and inoperable oil pollution control equipment. The Coast Guard?s investigation revealed that while the vessel was at sea, Lozada and Arcolas directed the ship?s crew to discharge waste oil tanks and bilge tanks directly overboard, and also discharged the bilges in a way that circumvented the ship’s oily water separator. It was also determined that the two men had falsified the oil record book in an effort to cover up the dumping. Both men had pleaded guilty to the charges.

US fines operator for bypass

PACIFIC & Atlantic Corp, operator of the bulker John G Lemos, has been fined $750,000 after an oily water separator was bypassed and log books falsified. US Attorney?s spokesman Barry Sheldahl told Fairplay that the 17,832dwt Cyprus-flagged vessel had just entered Portland in the US state of Oregon on 3 January when a boarding and inspection party found the bypassed oily water separator and falsified log books. Following an investigation by the Coast Guard and Environmental Protection Agency, P&A pleaded guilty to the environmental charges on 19 January, agreeing to a $500,000 criminal fine with another $250,000 to be paid to the Columbia River Estuary Coastal Fund. Further, the company was placed on probation and must ensure that the balance of its fleet is brought into full compliance with all environmental rules.

UK court fines Sea Containers

SEA Containers has been fined by a UK court for operating the fast ferries Rapide and Diamant on 130 occasions last year without the correct paperwork. The company had transferred registry of the ships from Luxembourg to the Bahamas, but for two weeks between 25 August and 8 September the certification remained applicable to the Luxembourg flag and was therefore invalid. Sea Containers pleaded guilty to 16 charges and received a fine of £7,000 ($13,000) plus the equivalent in costs. The maximum total fines for the charges could have been as much as £80,000. Paul Coley, head of the survey branch of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency said, ?The MCA is satisfied that during the two week period the Rapide and Diamant were safe to operate and that no-one was put at risk. The case arose from a problem with the vessels' paperwork and lack of management oversight.?

LR denies UN overcharge claim

LLOYD?S Register has denied claims made by an independent probe into the United Nations ?Oil for Food? programme that it overcharged the UN by $1.38M for work carried out in the late 1990s. According to a preliminary report by the Independent Inquiry Committee, set up to investigate deficiencies in the multi-billion dollar humanitarian operation, there were a number of serious shortcomings in the work Lloyd’s Register carried out for the UN. The claims refer to a contract signed by Lloyd’s Register Inspection Ltd in July 1996 to monitor the import of food and medical supplies into Iraq. The classification society has categorically denied that it overcharged the UN for any of the work that was carried out. ?We did a very good job for the UN and we complied fully with all our contractual obligations,? explained a statement released by Lloyd’s Register. However, in addition to the accusations of overcharging the report also noted that ?$1.97 million in fees could have been avoided had Lloyd’s not deployed its agents to Iraq in one wave, rather than in stages as was advised by the Department of Political Affairs (DPA)?. There are also claims of ? inordinate delays?, ?a lack of independent verification? and ?a failure to authenticate the weight of bulk cargo?. The probe, headed by former US Federal Reserve Board chairman Paul Volcker, is to continue with the full backing of the UN.

French court doubles pollution fine

THE Euro100,000 ($130,000) fine ordered against the captain and owner of the container vessel CMA CGM Voltaire for voluntary pollution has been doubled by the court of appeal in Rennes, France. The incident took place off the French coast in May 2003. Peter Laudahn, the German master of the vessel and Niederelbe Schiffahrt/GEBAB the shipowner, will have to pay Euro200,000 instead of the original fine ordered in the first judgement. ?The appeal court, which was expected to only confirm the judgement of the first instance court has instead increased the sanction, to serve as an example to the shipping community and also because the elements evidencing the pollution were quite clear,? a legal source close to the Rennes court said. Laudahn has always rejected the accusations of pollution but the pictures taken during the day of the incident clearly showed traces of oil, according to pollution experts. Laudahn will have to pay Euro20,000, the balance being borne by the ship owner. In addition, Euro19,000 will have to be paid to three environmental organisations.

Philippines ports fail ISPS renewal

ALMOST half the 100-plus Philippines ports that had been issued with six-month ISPS Code certificates of compliance have failed to comply or renew for the required five years. Full story at LR-Fairplay's port and maritime security news product Sea Sentinel, www.sea-sentinel.com.

LA expands 'cold ironing'

LOS Angeles? Board of Harbor Commissioners approved an $810,000 ?cold ironing? reimbursement to NYK on Wednesday, paving the way for the port’s second shoreside power programme. According to LA spokesman Rachel Campbell, reimbursements serve as an incentive to entice shipping lines to use shore-supplied electrical power and cut pollution emissions from vessels in port. Cold ironing was launched in Los Angeles in June last year, when China Shipping’s Xin Yang Zhou and Xin Nan Tong plugged in. But NYK will take it a step further, specifically building the NYK Atlas with an integrated onboard electrical system to allow for cold ironing. This will make the vessel the first able to plug directly into the wharf without the use of a barge when it arrives in the autumn. The NYK Atlas? use of at-berth electricity will result in annual emission savings of about 31 tonnes of nitrogen oxides and 1.4 tons of particulate matter. Five other container lines have signed MoUs with Los Angeles to implement cold-ironing programmes in the future, while neighbouring Port of Long Beach begins its own cold-ironing programme for BP tankers in 2006.

(Thanks to Fairplay Solutions: magazine@fairplay.co.uk)

China kills Vietnamese pirates

CHINESE maritime authorities shot and killed Vietnamese pirates attacking fishermen in Chinese waters earlier this month, newsline Xinhua said yesterday. A Foreign Ministry spokesman said that several Chinese fishing boats operating on the Chinese side of the Beibu Gulf on 8 January were attacked by armed pirates in three unidentified armed vessels. Chinese maritime police responded to the incident and were fired on by the pirates. In the ensuing battle, police killed several of the raiders and seized one of the armed vessels, together with eight suspected robbers, weapons and ammunition and tools. The prisoners reportedly admitted they were Vietnamese, and that they had committed four previous armed robberies of Chinese fishing boats in the same area. The spokesman is quoted as saying said that since agreements on demarcation and fishery co-operation in the Gulf took effect last June, the overall situation there is stable. However, armed robberies of Chinese fishing boats have posed serious threats to the lives and property of both Chinese and Vietnamese fishermen. China is willing to co-operate closely with Vietnam so that both countries can take steps to combat maritime crime and safeguard security and stability in the Gulf, he said.

From Xinhua news agency, quoted in LR-Fairplay Sea Sentinel

(www.sea-sentinel.com - maritime & port security web & daily email service)

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Contributions

The following is taken from the Autumn/Winter edition of Maritime Feedback, the publication for the Confidential Hazardous Incident Reporting Programme

(CHIRPS):

Surveys and Repairs

It is normal practice with this company to carry out dry-docking every 5 years with in-water survey carried out between each dry_docking as per Class regulations. The last in-water survey was carried out about the beginning of April 2004 and if my memory serves me correctly the next dry-docking is due about the end of 2006. However due to a three year charter another in water survey is to be carried out at the end of June 2004 (two months after the first survey) with the intention of extending the dry-docking date until the end of the charter period for obvious reasons.

The vessel's shell plating had two longitudinal cracks at the after end section. Both these cracks were reported to the company's technical department by normal correspondence as well as reported in ship's

PMS defects list. The ship's staff were instructed by the Technical Superintendents' Department to weld one crack and this was carried out. At this

point 1 must state that there were no qualified welders on board and in my opinion the repair should have been carried out to Class regulations by a shore contractor. Regarding the second crack reported, nothing was heard from the company up to the time 1 left the vessel.

1 would like to mention that in this day and age when ships do fast turnarounds and spend very little time in port with only once in five year dry-docking, the Classification Societies must consider more than the under water areas of a ship when extending the dry-docking periods. They should consider the soundness of sea water pipes and associated valves and any other major refits / repairs that may need attention. The attending surveyors should have confidential discussions with the senior officers to get their opinion the status of the equipment in the engine room and deck and check the ongoing drydock list on board if there is one (it is normal practice on most ships to start preparing a on-going dry-dock list from the time the vessel leaves the dock), before granting an extension.

The Reporter did not believe this issue could he brought to the attention of the company without his being identified, so CHIRP asked the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) to comment. IACS referred us to Rev 3 of Unified Requirement Z3 (coming into force next year), which states.

Z3.1.2

There are to be a minimum of two examinations of the outside of the ship's bottom and related items during each five_year special survey period. One such examination is to be carried out in conjunction with the special survey., In all cases, the interval between any two such examinations is not to exceed 36 months. An extension *of examination of the ship's bottom of 3 months beyond the due date can be granted in exceptional circumstances).

2): 'Exceptional circumstances' means unavailability of dry-docking facilities; unavailability of repair facilities; unavailability of essential materials, equipment or spare parts; or delays incurred by action taken to avoid severe weather conditions.

Z3.3.1

The In-water Survey is to provide the information normally obtained from a docking survey, so far as practicable. Special consideration shall be given to ascertaining rudder bearing clearances and stern bush clearances of oil stern bearings based on a review of the operating history, on board testing and stern oil sample reports. These considerations are to be included in the proposals for in-water survey, which are to be submitted in advance of the survey so that satisfactory arrangements can be agreed with the Classification Society.

Changes introduced in Rev.3 are to be uniformly implemented from 1 July 2005.

The wording of this procedure has been tightened up considerably, both with respect to the circumstances where an extension beyond the due date may he granted and information to be obtained during an in-water survey. These amendments, if properly implemented, appear to address the reported concern with regard to surveys to a significant extent.

With respect to shell plating repairs, all IACS members have rules to the effect that repairs which may affect classification are to he notified to the society concerned and undertaken to the satisfaction of a surveyor. Unified Requirements Z7, 1.3 and Z13 refer to the requirements for repairs and can he downloaded from

www.iacs.org.uk.

The CHIRP Maritime Advisory Board considered this report and made the following observations.

- It is possible Class may have been called in after the reporter left the vessel.
- If repairs are undertaken without Class supervision then Class, P&I cover and Hull and Machinery insurance could be invalidated.
- The Board appreciates the pressure senior officers may be under, bu reminds them of their professional duty to report defects to Class and a growing willingness on the part of some states to punish officers who seek to mislead with criminal charges.
- Reporting defects to Class may have a positive impact, improving their own data and leading to more robust designs.
- A short_term loss of time for a proper repair may prevent a greater loss at a future date.


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Midships

Interesting to see that ships are now being expected to plug into shore power in the USA to reduce nitrogen oxides and particulate matter being emitted into their air.  As there is very little left of the US merchant marine fleet it would appear that the action is aimed at foreign ships.  Shame they are not doing something about the gas guzzlers on their roads and are unable to sign agreements with other countries to reduce such emissions themselves. Yet another case of hypocrisy and picking the easy target in the USA.

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We hear more instances of foreign crews not being allowed to take shore leave in US ports.  Again, we see overkill in 'Fortress America'. We note that US warships are allowed R&R visits to many  ports of the world.  We get them regularly in Hong Kong.  As US servicemen are now seen as legitimate targets by

the terrorists this puts the civil population of our cities at risk whilst they

are in town.  How would it be if we reciprocated by banning all US warship

visits to our ports?

******

When Paranoia Sets In

As experts and consultants most of us generally tend to be in reactive rather than proactive mode.  Offering a service we must always be ready to react to our client's needs.  This is even more so as a marine surveyor/consultant.

The nature of shipping is such that it is generally very difficult to predict when a ship will arrive at a certain port due to varying weather conditions and other factors.  Thus we may be called at very short notice to travel half way across the world to carry out an inspection or to investigate an accident on board a ship.  It is only occasionally that WE get involved in long term projects allowing longer term planning.  This means that WE have to sit and wait for instructions and generally to react quickly.

I work from home, ie, my office is on my domestic premises, but separated by a door. My wife is my secretary and personal assistant.  She gets to see the amount of work coming in and participates in the process.  Being dependent on the success of the business she gets involved in a big way.  When work is short she starts to worry and I have to remind her that we tend to have feast or famine rather than a steady flow of work. I often have to reiterate that it is unlikely that all our clients have banded together to boycott our services. However, with the possibility of little or no planning paranoia is bound to set in on occasions.  The immediate tendancy is to start playing golf games or solitaire on the computer!

Some would argue that the key to keeping busy is marketing on a regular basis but this is difficult when you are regularly travelling overseas. We tend not to do any  marketing when we are busy, only when we are quiet. We have tried to plot our working hours to predict when the quiet periods will happen so that we can plan holidays, seminars and conference attendance.

Having been through some quiet spells during the Asian recession of a few of years ago, I decided to compile a set of guidelines and to follow them.

When working from home, one has to have discipline and time management skills. If you keep a list of things to do, when you are quiet you can do the thing left on the list.  If you're obeying time management rules, these should be the ones you have wanted to do all along!

When things are quiet certain rules have to be obeyed.

1. Don't be tempted to stay in bed late, stop shaving and become sloppy.  You never know when a client may telephone the office and/or drop in.  However, with today's telecommunications, call forwarding, etc, you can be anywhere to take a client's call, but not too far away from the office.

2. This is the time to look at your systems and to see if they need improvement.  Remember when you were busy and things went wrong or logjams occurred?  This is the time to sort them out.

3. Remember when you were very busy and hurled abuse at your staff? This is the time to set the record straight and to rekindle the bonds.  A lunch with your staff will give you a return many times over when you are in a difficult spot.

4. Then there is the client who has given you lots of work and you have never thanked.  Another excellent opportunity to say thankyou with a lunch - but not one that lasts to closing time!

5. One area to look at is book keeping and accounting systems.  If you have no in-house accountant or book keeper, this is an excellent opportunity to catch up with both and to get a more accurate and up to date assessment of the company's worth. This has a number of positive aspects.  It should reinforce your belief in your company's product, success and profitability.  In turn it should help reduce the fear that the company is in freefall and ready to go bankrupt due to a lack of work.  However, when you see how healthy the company is you may start thinking of booking yourself an exotic holiday!

6. That pile of papers, old faxes and emails could do with sorting out. What about now?

7. Whilst your filing system may be in good order, when was the last time you disposed of expired files.  Shredding will give you more, and often much needed, storage space.

8. What about all those industry magazines, periodicals and brochures on the shelf.  Time to catch up on some reading perhaps?  Better still, remember that idea for an article for your professional institute's newsletter, how about writing it now?  Even if you don't finish it, you have made a start.  It could be finished later on your laptop whilst waiting at the airport.

9. You may remember seeing an advert for a new and better piece of equipment which would make you job easier and more efficient.  Time to check it out?

10. George Bernard Shaw once said "Knowledge is in the nature of two things. Firstly, knowing something and secondly knowing where to find it."  When was the last time you surfed the web?  This is a good time to do some searches for useful information and web sites relevant to your area of expertise.  There is lots of information out there.

11. Keeping fit as we get older is also important.  A healthy body means a healthy mind!  Whilst I would not advocate a game of squash when you are overweight and have not played for years, some form of light exercise on a regular basis is advisable.  Fitness can very easily be increased by upping the frequency of exercise.  This may be combined with other hobbies, such as sailing.  In this matter, each to his own!

12. Lastly, (you should not need reminding of this) and most important of all, spend some time with your wife and kids.  They will appreciate it, especially if you have been busy and travelling a lot.  A cuddle on the couch or walk in the park can improve your family standing tenfold!

Mike Wall

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Scuttlebut

ISPS

Conflicts continue to develop with respect to the implementation of the ISPS Code.  From this month, we will be listing some of the ways that the code interferes with normal ship operations which in some cases could be considered as hazardous together with transgressions of interest:

It has been revealed that one third of the traffic at Constantza port in Romania is handled by illegal workers, even though port facilities using them are subject to the ISPS Code.

During a recent visit to a southern Chinese port I wandered in and out of the port with no questions asked.  Also noticed that vehicles entering and leaving were not being checked.  This in contrast to Hong Kong where your identity is checked and a Visitor's ID card issued for return on exit.

Ed:  It is suggested that should you find a port which does not conform to the ISPS Code or oversteps the mark, you should let us know so that we can 'Name and Shame' them.

******

Tanker overfill alarm warning.

A recent MARS article published by the Nautical Institute:

A tanker was loading a clean product with a light density of only  0.665. During the loading operation tanks were filled in excess of 95% during which it was found that the automatic high overfill alarms did not activate.

Pre-arrival tests had been successfully conducted on the equipment.  A thorough investigation ensued in cooperation with the equipment manufacturers which resulted in the revelation that the float devices manufactured from stainless steel did not provide sufficient buoyancy to operate effectively in cargoes with density less than 0.750.  The manufacturers accdepted responsibility for replacement of the flotation devices

******

We hear that The Honourable Company of Master Mariners (HCMM), which was formed in 1926 will be playing a major part in the 2005 celebrations for 'Sea Britain Year' with the HCMM headquarters ship 'Wellington' hosting open days where the public can view the many artefacts gifted to the Company since its inception.

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Insurance News

New loss prevention techniques

We hear from one of the larger P&I Clubs, which are currently in the renewal period/process, of some strange submissions to Clubs for renewal.  One Owner has submitted that they intend to improve their loss prevention record by exorcising all of their vessels!

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Wig & Gown

None this month.

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Education and Training

Came across the following reminders from the Academy of Experts just the other day and thought it might be worth mentioning for those of you who might be involved in this type of work for the first time:

Preparing to go to court .....

Thou shalt push for an early meeting with solicitor and counsel.

Thou shalt not be over-optimistic in your initial report.

Thou shalt not be tempted to diversify outside your own expertise.

Thou shalt not rely on your fame (if you are a well-known name).  Do the necessary work!

Thou shalt demonstrate integrity and independance.

Into court .......

Thou shalt not be a soldier for your side.

Thou shalt leave the advocacy to counsel.

Thou shalt not show off.

Thou shalt not be dragged into areas outside your own expertise.  Don't be a know-all.

Thou shalt be and be seen to be impartial.

******

Warsash Maritime Centre is offernign a handy online source of information on training for seafarers.  The centre's website www.warsashcentre.co.uk has been developed over the last three years to provide a user friendly resource for seafarers at all stages in their careers.

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Epistles

None this month.

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People

Captain Stan Bowles MMFG FNI MIIMS MRIN has left ClassNK to return to his own business - BowTech Maritime.  Email at BowTech@direct.ca or sbowles@direct.ca

******

Andrew Teasdale, formerly of Andrew Moore & Associates has joined the Ship Vettring Department of the West of England Ship Owners Insurance Assoc. Ltd,

based in the London Office.

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Books and Videos

Practical Navigation for Officers of the Watch is a revised expanded and updated version of two former classics, 'Practical Navigation for Second Mates' and 'Principles and practices of Navigation'.  At over 300 pages, this excellent guide gives a thorough grounding in navigational techniques and equipment, all based around the requirements of the STCW Convention.  Includes worked examples and exercises together with extracts from nautical almanacs and tide tables.

'Practical Navigation for Officers of the Watch' by A Frost, GBP30, published by Brown, Son & Ferguson, 4-10 Darnley Street, Glasgow G41 2SD, United Kingdom.

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Web Sites

If your (marine surveying) company has a web site, let us know and we will try to mention it.  Below are some web pages we believe might be useful to marine surveyors.

http://natmar.com/
- Web site for National Marine Consultants Inc., Parlin, NJ 08859, USA

www.wilsur.com
- Web site for Wilson Surveyors And Adjusters Pvt. Ltd., Lloyd's Agents. C-204, Remi Bizcourt, Veera Desai Road, Andheri West, Mumbai 400 053.India

www.manumarine.com
- Web site for Manu Marine (NZ) Ltd

http:www2.imo.org/ispsCode/ISPSInformation.aspx
- IMO Country/Port/Terminal infor and contact numbers:

http://www.tdconcepts.com/
Tactical Defense Concepts (TDC) - a good section on security alerts and analysis: Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC)

http://www.ds-osac.org/
(OSAC was established in 1985 by the US Department of State to foster the exchange of security related i nformation between the US Government and the Amercian private sector operating abroad.  Administered by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, OSAC has developed into an enormously successful joint venture for effective security cooperation.  Through OSAC, the American private sector, including colleges and universities, is provided timely information on which to make informed corporate decisions on how best to protect their investment, facilities,personnel and intellectual property abroad.)

Those of you who use Equasis may also be interested to hear of three other web pages with similar information:

www.parismou.org/
www.tokyo-mou.org/
www.uscg.com
www.shiptalk.com/

-  Designed by seafarers for seafarers. Deck, engine, catering, hotel or concession, seafarers past and present, all are welcome. Seafaring is a global profession and we extend the hand of friendship to seafarers of all nationalities.
-  Ever wondered where your old shipmates are now? Why not leave your details and search for your old shipmates. Shipmates, will keep you in contact with seagoing friends new and old.
-  Money Matters is inspired by those conversations you have at sea, in the bar, on the VHF and ashore, on the subject of money. What you get paid and where the best opportunities are for time onboard versus leave versus salary versus benefits. Make "money matters" work for you.
-  Blow your whistle, and warn other seafarers of the way it is when signing on with certain manning agents or ship owners. By sharing our experiences we can improve the life at sea for you and your fellow shipmates. Ship talk is always straight, honest and direct, so say it the way it is.  Deep Sea, Short Sea, Offshore and Cruise, check out these links for issues which affect you.
-  Crew List become your own agent and advertise your professional services on crew list.

www.shippingfacts.com
-  Provides basic information about the structure of the shipping industry, its contribution to the world economy and its safety/environmental performance.  The site also contains links with more detailed sourcdes of information about the industry.

www.imarest.org
-  Website of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology.

www.nepia.com
- A fully searchable,  and provides full details of the club and its ships. It also features a new service from  the club's risk management department, called, which summarises shipping industry developments and offers links to primary sources, including the Maritime Advocate. Newsnet is updated weekly, or sometimes more frequently.

www.numast.org
- Web site for the National Union of Marine Aviation and Shipping Transport Officers who publish the monthly NUMAST Telegraph.

www.aimsurveyors.com.au
- Web site for the Australian Institute of Marine Surveyors.

www.friendsreunited.co.uk
- Here you can register some personal information, together with your school/college and the year you left to go on to greater things.  You can also enter your nickname in school, which class you were in, your mates' names and what you've done since leaving.  You may be one day surprised to receive a message out of the blue from an old school chum.

www.marine-society.org
- The Marine Society is a worthy marine charity offering many services to mariners.

www.imo.org
- International Maritime Organisation web page.  Keep up to date with new conventions.

www.lrfairplay.com
- Scroll down the home page until you see the heading 'Free Access' appear on the left hand side. Clicking on the words 'shipping sites' takes you to a search function. You can then search either by company name or by category (there is a 'consultants and surveyors' category, for example) or by country. Or by a combination - so you could search for consultants/surveyors in Australia beginning with the letter 'D', for example.  That pulls up a list; if you then click on the word 'free' in the right hand column you are linked through to the relevant website. If your readers know of any companies with sites that we do not list (or that we have an out-of-date address for) we would like to have details to update the database.

http://www.acms-usa.com
- The Association of Certified Marine Surveyors

www.equasis.org
- Database containing safety-related information on the worlds merchant fleet from both public and private sources.  Gives ship's particulars, Class Soc, P&I Club and PSC inspection record.  Very useful for surveyors looking for vessel particulars before carrying out a survey.

www.femas.net/default.htm
- The Federation of European Maritime Associations of Surveyors an Consultants

www.iims.org.uk
- International Institute of Marine Surveyors

http://www.lloydsagency.com
- General access to the directory of the world network of Lloyd's Agents.

www.mariners-l.freeserve.co.uk
- Merchant Navy records on UK MN vessels and information merchant seamen, logs, agreements and crew lists, MN apprentices and deaths at sea

www.marinesupportonline.com
- Marine Support On Line

www.marinesurvey.org
- Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors

www.nams-cms.org
- National Association of Marine Surveyors

www.sas-intl.com
- Safety at Sea International

www.scmshq.org
- Society of Consulting Marine Engineers and Ship Surveyors

www.sname.org
- Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers.

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Conference Reports

None this month.

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IMO Conventions

IMO regularly updates its web page with new and amended conventions:

http://www.imo.org/

Here you can browse through the various publications that are available and buy those which interest you. To navigate the publications you can either select one of the categories or use the advanced search.

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Future Events

If you have a marine related conference coming up, let us know so that we can mention it below,

3 - 5 May 2005, Cruise+Ferry 2005 incorporating Superyacht V Design, Construction and Operation For Passenger Shipping, Earls Court Two, London, UK. Lloyds List Events.  http://www.lloydslistevents.com/

10-12 April 2005.  NAMS Spring conference, Strand Palace Hotel, London. This conference will be organized by NAMS and supported by SCMS,IIMS, and IMarEST

14-15 April 2005.  Asia Shipbuilding 2005.  Swissotel Beijing, PRC.
More info at:  www.ibc-asia.com/asiashipbuilding.htm

7-10 June 2005, Norshipping, Oslo, Norway.

******

Some maritime conference web sites for you to keep up to date:

http://www.cconnection.org/
http://www.reedexpo.com/
http://www.grc.uri.edu/
http://www.wholelife.com/
http://www.ship-technology.com/exhibitions/
http://www.apmaritime.com/
http://www.lloydslistevents.com/
http://www.marineexpo.com/
http://www.seaworkexhibition.com
http://www.toc-events.com/

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From the Poop Deck

Old

THE PERKS OF BEING A SENIOR CITIZEN

1. Kidnappers are not very interested in you.
2. In a hostage situation you are likely to bereleased first.
3. No one expects you to run anywhere - ever.
4. People call at 9 P.M. and ask, "Did I wake you?"
5. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.
6. There is nothing left to learn the hard way.
7. Things you buy now won't wear out.
8. You can eat dinner at 4 P.M.
9. You enjoy hearing about other peoples' operations.
10. You get into heated arguments about pension plans.
11. You have a party and the neighbors don't evenrealize it.
12. You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.
13. You quit trying to hold your stomach in, no matter who walks into the room.
14. You sing along with elevator music.
15. Your eyes won't get much worse.
16. Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.
17. Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the national weather service.
18. Your secrets are safe with your friends, because they can't remember them either.
19. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to manageable size.
20. You can't remember who sent you this list.

GAMES FOR WHEN WE ARE OLDER

1. Sag, You're it.
2. Pin the Toupee on the bald guy.
3. 20 questions shouted into your good ear.
4. Kick the bucket.
5. Red Rover, Red Rover, the nurse says Bend Over.
6. Doc Who.
7. Simon says something incoherent.
8. Hide and forget why you're there.
9. Spin the Bottle of Mylanta.
10. Musical recliners.

SIGNS OF MENOPAUSE

1. You sell your home heating system at a yard sale.
2. You have to write post-it notes with your kids' names on them.
3. The Phenobarbital dose that wiped out the Heaven's Gate Cult gives you  four hours of decent rest.
4. You change your underwear after every sneeze.

SIGNS OF WEAR

"OLD" IS WHEN..... Your friends compliment you on your new alligator shoes and you're barefoot.
"OLD" IS WHEN..... A sexy babe catches your fancy & your pacemaker opens the garage door.
"OLD" IS WHEN..... Going bra-less pulls all the wrinkles out of your face.
"OLD" IS WHEN...... You don't care where your spouse goes, just as long as you don't have to go along.
"OLD" IS WHEN... You are cautioned to slow down by the doctor instead of by the police.
"OLD" IS WHEN..... "Getting a little action" means there's no need to take any fiber today.
"OLD" IS WHEN..... "Getting lucky" means you find your car in the parking lot.
"OLD" IS WHEN..... An "all-nighter" means not getting up to go to the bathroom.

******

Dysfunctional Greeting Cards.......

1.  I always wanted to have someone to hold, someone to love and now that you've come into my life....
(Inside card) - I've changed my mind.

2.  I must admit, you brought religion into my life....
(Inside card) - I never believed in Hell until I met you.

3.  As days go by, I think how lucky I am....
(Inside card) - That you're not here to ruin it for me.

4.  Congratulations on your promotion. Before you go...
(Inside card) - Will you take the knife from my back? You'll probably need it again.

5.  Someday I hope to marry .....
(Inside card) - Someone other than you.

6.  Happy Birthday!  You look great for your age....
(Inside card) - Almost lifelike!

7.  When we were together, you said you would die for me...
(Inside card) - Now we've broken up, I think it's time to keep your promise.

8.  We've been friends for a very long time...
(Inside card) - What do you say we stop?

9.  I'm so miserable with out you...
(Inside card) - It's almost like you're still here.

10.  Congratulations on your new bundle of joy...
(Inside card) - Did you ever find out who the father was?

11.  You are such a good friend. If we were on a sinking ship and there was only one life jacket...
(Inside card) - I'd miss you terrible and think of you often.

12.  Your friends and I wanted to do something special for your birthday...
(Inside card) - So we're having you put to sleep.

13.  Looking back over the years we've been together, I can't help but wonder...
(Inside card) - What was I thinking?

14.  Congratulations on your wedding day!....
(Inside card) - Too bad no one likes your husband.

(With thanks to Bow Wave)

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Disclaimer:  Articles and reports reflect the views of the individuals who prepared them, and, unless indicated expressly in the text, do not necessarily represent the views of the editor.  Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this publication is accurate, the editor makes no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness or correctness of such information.  The editor accepts no esponsibility whatsoever for any loss, damage or other liability arising from any use of this publication or the information which it contains.  The contents of the publication are the responsibility of the editor alone.

News, views, enquiries, suggestions, articles and letters for inclusion in future editions of FLASHLIGHT may be sent to:

Mike Wall
Tel:  +852 2259 3150
Fax: +852 2259 3151
Email: mikewall@pacific.net.hk

 
     
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