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  FLASHLIGHT - October 2002            Edition No: 13

"Marine Surveying is a tough job. It demands a high level of fitness and stamina. It requires keen observation, scrupulous honesty, an eye for detail, an open mind and ears, a closed mouth and common sense" (John Guy)


CONTENTS (for full stories, select a headline)

 

At the Bow

FLASHLIGHT is a free monthly emailed newsletter for Marine Surveyors. 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. Past editions can be viewed on http://www.asiaconference.biz Letters, opinions and articles on our profession are welcomed for including in the newsletter.

New members this month.

Robin Plumley, Master, Research Vessel 'Discovery'
John Harding, Spica Marine Inspections Ltd., Mombasa, Kenya

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Spindrift

Model Display

Plans are being finalised for a new national centre to display as many as 5,000 naval and merchant ship models dating from the 18th to 20th centuries at the Historic Dockyard, Chatham, in 2006. The centre will house the reserve model collections of the National Maritime, Science and Imperial War Museums.

Yet another new Register

Bangladesh is planning to become the latest country to set up an open registry. Ministry of shipping officials say the scheme should help to increase the employment of the country's seafarers and have insisted that high standards will be enforced.

Madeiran manning

Officials of Portugal's second register, based in Madeira, are planning to relax crew nationality requirements in a bid to attract as many as 100 more ships to the flag, which presently as 250 vessels on its books.

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Cambodian clampdown

Cambodia's government is taking back control of the country's ship register from a commercial operation based in Singapore in response to a barrage of criticism over the standards of tonnage under the flag.

Woolly pollution

There have been new demands for the end of livestock shipments from mAustralia to the Middle East following the deaths of more than 15,000 sheep on four ships in the Arabian Sea. Australian agencies have launched investigations into reports that the animals died in the heat and had to be thrown overboard before trhe vessels arrived at their destinations. The Australian RSPCA has called for the shipments to be stopped until the problems are addressed.

Stowaways die

Authorities in the Brazilian port of Santos launched an investigation last month after five African stowaways were found dead by crew on boardthe Panamanian flagged bulk carrier 'Medi Monaco'.

US gets tough

As part of a major crackdown against marine pollutioin a federal grand jury had indicted two seafarers and their shore based bosses for participating in a conspiracy to dump waste off the coast of Alaska.

(Above courtesy of NUMAST 'Telegraph')

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Contributions

The '2002 SCMS Asian Marine Surveying and Loss Prevention Forum' held at the Nan Hai Hotel, Shekou, PRC, on 28 & 29 October 2002.

The forum was well attended by delegates and speakers from 17 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, USA, Italy and Asian countries, the large conference room being almost full. It was unfortunate that some delegates were unable to attend due to difficulty obtaining visas. In order to accommodate the large number of volunteered papers, speakers were allowed 20 minutes for their presentations with a 10-15 minute
question and answer session at the end of each of the sessions of 3 papers.

On the eve the conference, Asia Conferences Ltd sponsored a well attended Speakers’ Dinner, which comprised a Chinese Banquet at the Nan Hai Hotel. Only two of the speakers were unable to attend, not yet having arrived at Shekou.

Immediately after the first day of the conference, on the Monday evening, all delegates and speakers attended a cocktail party, sponsored by the UK P&I Club, at the Swallow’s Nest Restaurant of the Nan Hai Hotel which has a panoramic view of the Shekou Bay. Needless to say, the party continued at local hostelries well into the evening.

It is clear that this conference was much appreciated by all who attended and it is hoped that further workshops will be arranged to expand on some of the topics covered. The only glitches were technical ones and these were handled in a timely and a competent manner. Comments received relating to the conference were that it was the best yet and very well organised. All papers were well received and of good technical content. Only two speakers experienced language difficulties with the audience being patient and understanding.

CDs with full versions of the papers are available at US$50 from the conference organisers, Asia Conferences Ltd, email: astor@asiaconference.biz

We were also fortunate to see two videos from Smit Salvage, 'Raising the Kursk' and 'Any job any sea'. These are also available in VCD form upon request from Asia Conferences Ltd.

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Proceedings:

Conference welcome and introduction
Mr Ferdi Stolzenberg, Asia Conferences Ltd

Ferdi, who is also Managing Director of MTI Network, Hong Kong, welcomed the delegates and speakers, summarising the role of the marine surveyor in the shipping industry and some of the expectations from their clients, eg, "They must be prepared to respond to an instruction at a moment's notice, travel anywhere, get into difficult locations and situations, report yesterday and do it all for nothing!"

The role of marine surveyors in the PRC market due to open market developments and WTO entry Mr Zhen Yuan Ze, PICC, Guangzhou, PRC.

Being the largest marine insurer in China and one of the largest in the world, we were pleased to have Mr Zhen Yuan Ze from the Guangzhou office of PICC attend to give the keynote speech at our conference.

Loss prevention in the PRC market
Mr Li Zhen Jiang, China P&I Club, Beijing

China P&I Club is one of the younger Clubs, having been in existence for 18 years. Mr Li gave a brief introduction to the Loss prevention in the PRC which adopts a 4-E philosophy, there having been no systematic loss prevention in the marine market over the past decades, the philosophy of loss prevention having been in existence of every part of the social life. The Chinese insurance market has actually benefited from the unique and distinctive “Chinese Characteristics”, ie, relying on the political and economical stability of the Country. The paper provided a more detailed introduction as to why and how a loss prevention program has been designed and performed in China P&I Club’s business operation, together with the surveyor’s role in the Club’s loss prevention program and routine claim handling. The paper also described how a marine surveyor is designated to attend a casualty, including the importance of quick attendance and reporting, together with the Club’s requirements with respect to Surveyor’s qualifications.

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Surveyors- A fall in standards? Bad role playing
Mr Harry Hirst, Ince & Co, Hong Kong

Harry identified 3 types of enquiry relating to loss or damage:

• the investigation into the nature, circumstances and cause of the loss or damage;
• the investigation into civil liability for the loss or damage; and
• the investigation into criminal liability for the loss or damage and any requirement for regulatory action.

He observed that the first type of enquiry was the role of the surveyor; that the second was the role of the lawyer; and that the third was the role of a government appointed inspector.

Harry stated that, except where his duties are specifically extended with regard to cause, a surveyor should restrict himself to the customary role and avoid direct involvement with the liability investigation, having recently experienced various surveyors who did not appear to understand why they had been appointed and their role in the investigation, particularly in the case of collision damage investigations.

The paper generated a number of responses from experienced surveyors in the audience who pointed out that very often the surveyor was the first on the scene and that on many occasions Principals would not appoint the lawyer until the surveyor suggested that it was necessary. In order to do so, the surveyor must make a brief initial assessment as to liability.

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Who appoints cargo surveyor? Cargo Underwriters or Consignee/ Claimant?
Mr Zennon Cheng, Zennon Pierre Marine Services, Hong Kong

Zennon detailed the advantages and disadvantages of the appointment of the various parties involved in cargo damage claim, supported by a case study involving a fraudulent claim relating to a large quantity of PC motherboards which had reportedly caught fire. The paper illustrated Zennon’s understanding and experience in this market.


Implementing a risk reduction programme
Mr Brian Jenner, Seawise, Singapore

Brian outlined risk management as a systematic way of identifying, treating and controlling risks or threats to assets and earnings. These range from the cost of sending seamen ashore for medical treatment to machinery breakdown, or catastrophic losses such as major oil spills or explosions, including legal liabilities and consequential losses. Brian showed how to structure risk management to simplify the process, particularly the feedback loop, thus making it less frightening to the user. It is clear that some form of systematic risk control is essential for Ship Operators. As a minimum, Ship Operators must comply with the ISM Code. Application of an SMS according to the ISM Code has been shown to reduce risk if the Operator is committed to safety. There are numerous ships that fall outside the requirements of the ISM Code due to their size, or continue to trade with less than reputable flags and Classification Societies where ISM Code will have little or no effect. This is an area where Insurers can be proactive, demanding a minimum standard of good ship management with external audits to ensure standards are met.


Lloyds Agency and Surveyors
Mr Andrew Cross, Lloyds Agency

A refreshing and entertaining paper from Andrew Cross, attempting to raise the awareness of marine surveyors to other opportunities due to the changes taking place in our industry. Andrew’s experience with P&I and Lloyd’s Agency, for whom he travels far and wide inspecting the LA offices around the world, has provided him with a unique insight into our profession. His suggestion that, due to the downturn in our market, some of us may have to turn to plumbing in the future received a mixed reception, Andrew stating that due to the dire shortage of plumbers in the UK, they can name their own price. His comments regarding new technology helping us to our job in a more timely fashion were also well received, many of us having adopted such technology to maintain an edge in a fiercely competitive market.

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Salvage Operations & Surveyors
Mr Jacob Hogendorp, Smit Salvage, Singapore

Jacob’s paper outlined the advances in modern salvage and focused attention on the significant salvage projects that have pushed the frontiers of salvage to new levels due to the unique circumstances and complexities of the projects, for example, the salvage of the Russian submarine Kursk and Japanese training vessel, Ehime Maru, which utilized new technologies and equipment invented by SMIT’s in-house Research & Development division.

The paper also explored how modern salvage techniques have to cope with current industry requirements such as double hull vessels and environmental issues.

We were also fortunate that Jacob brought with him the two Smit videos on “Raising the Kursk” and “Any job, any sea” which were shown prior to the start of each of the afternoon sessions and well received.


Ship Surveys, Surveyors and Loss Prevention in Asia
Mr Mark Borkett, West of England P&I

Mark outlined the role of personnel involved in loss prevention at the West of England P&I Club in both the London and Hong Kong offices. Graphs and charts were used to illustrate the need for loss prevention and the results obtained to date. Photographs were employed to illustrate some of the defects experienced on board vessels in Asia. Interesting to note that the defects have remained the same over the years that loss prevention has been employed, albeit in smaller numbers, eg, hatchcovers, safety equipment, poor maintenance, lack of safety culture, poor crew training, poor management support, despite the vessels always being fully classed and ISM compliant!


Tanker Surveying in Asia
What principals look for in vetting inspections
Capt. J.S. Luthra, Inter Maritime Trading Agency

Captain Luthra outlined why Charterers need to carry out their own inspections on tanker vessels and how they carry out risk assessment on the tankers which they charter.

Never having had one before, we were keen to have a paper on tankers and who better than Captain Luthra who carries out tanker inspections on a regular basis. The paper highlighted the role of the OCIMF and CDI in tanker safety inspections, together with and introduction to the SIRE reporting system of OCIMF and how they differ from other marine inspections, being specifically tailored for the tanker market and relevant risks.

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Liquification of bulk cargoes
Mr Mike Mann, Allied Marine Consultants, Hong Kong

Mike, a much respected cargo surveyor, had clearly spent a lot of time in preparing his Powerpoint presentation with an excellent animated diagram showing how liquification takes place and its effects. The paper covered three case histories, one of a zinc concentrate cargo and two of feldspar detailing how the transportable moisture limit (TML) differed from the recommended safe figure and the serious consequences encountered with one vessel almost being lost. The paper showed that you can have a safe ship, but this is irrelevant if you have a cargo loaded in a dangerous condition.

It is clear that many non-soluble commodities may become mobile under certain conditions, whether or not that particular cargo is recognized as having the property of liquefaction.

Mike has found one other factor common to all these cargoes; an exceptionally high proportion of fine grain material, almost powder-like, amongst the piles. The high concentration of fine powder apparently increases its ability to retain moisture within the bulk, the retained water being liberated rapidly with even the slightest working.

It is clear that further work needs to be done on this topic by the ‘Powers that be’ so that definitive guidelines can be produced.


Technical Challenges of Marine Surveyors in the PRC
Mr Lin Hong, Globe Marine Inspection Co., Tianjin, PRC

An excellent paper from one who practices our profession regularly in the PRC. Lin Hong outlined a surveyor’s tasks as understood by Principals, how such cases are handled and the technical challenges for surveyors in the PRC. Surveyors employed in the PRC must be able to predict, advise, negotiate, think as a lawyer, communicate and act impartially which would appear to fly in the face of Harry Hirst’s paper!

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Marine Surveying and Loss prevention on the African continent
Mr Graham Ashley, ETIC

Graham gave us a large brush stroke picture of the scene relating to marine surveying on the African continent. He stated that improved communication methods are in the process of changing the work methods of surveyors which will have a direct effect on survey activity particularly in certain parts of Africa, where there remains a lack of experienced marine surveyors. Traditionally marine surveyors have been drawn from the ranks of former seafarers and it is unclear as to where the future surveyors will come from. To find potential surveyor material in Africa, one has to look to those African countries which have, in the recent past, had a maritime sector or a national shipping line with sufficient activity to produce the human resource. The potential source of surveyors, with the declining state of many national lines, has disappeared with few converting their skills to surveying.

The advent and acceleration of containerised cargoes, particularly for those cargoes traditionally carried as break bulk to and from the African Continent has meant that African ports have seen a change in structure and organisation. These changes have in turn changed the face of surveying in the more important ports.


Marine Surveying Professional Institutes
Mr Norman Finlay, WNV (UK) & Partners, SCMS Council member

An outstanding presentation to finish our first day .... There is always one presenter in any conference who can stand up in front of a large audience and hold their attention for 20 minutes with the minimum of notes and no Powerpoint screen presentation, Norman being one of them. This is a man who knows and loves his profession deeply, needing no invitation to talk at length about it!

We were treated to his views on a number of aspects of our profession, including the role, importance and future of the professional institutes, skills required, the decline in European markets and how we can train the surveyors of the future, all of it from the heart blended with a sense of humour and sensitivity that kept us all mesmerised until he sat down. Norman, with his wealth of experience, clearly has a lot to contribute to the future of our profession and, judging from this performance, will probably die in his surveyor's boots!

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DAY TWO

Marine Surveying in the USA
Mr Lorne Gould, National Vice President of NAMS

According to Lorne, the nature of marine surveying is ever-changing due to the winds of the economy, disasters, government, labour and environmental changes and the surveyor must be prepared for these changes. The surveyor must keep abreast of such changes and how they affect our business. Lorne suggested that the ever-changing job of marine surveying in the United States may not have a great impact on surveyors in Asia, but the knowledge of what is happening in the rest of the world can only bring solidarity with our colleagues in marine surveying.

There appears to have been a general reduction in the amount of work available for marine surveyors, the only bright spot being the effects of 9-11, more people buying yachts so that the small craft surveying market has picked up. Lorne also reminded of us of how H&M and cargo deductibles were increased and how Class ceased using non-exclusives, reducing the amount of work available to surveyors. The use of non-marine cargo surveyors and inshore location of surveys is also affecting the amount of work available, but shoddy repacking after customs inspections is actually increasing claims!


General contract terms for marine surveyors
Ms Victoria Hughes, Galatea Underwriting Consultants, UK

I have heard Victoria speak on three occasions and she has never failed to impress with her knowledge of the professional indemnity insurance market. In a similar vein to Brian Jenner, Victoria suggested that there was significant risk of claims for malpractice, many spurious, in our profession. If we cannot eliminate the risk then we either reduce it or pass it on to others, ie, the PI underwriter. To ignite our interest in purchasing her services she related a horror story where a marine surveyor had a $750,000 claim against him for insufficient lashing of cargo. Whilst the claim was successfully defended, the costs were significant.

Victoria then gave us some guidance on how to compile contract terms to protect our interests, with one important suggestion, "Don't refer to PI insurance in your disclaimer as this will invite claims!"

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Updates on ultrasound equipment
Mr Mike Wall, Kiwi Marine Consultants Ltd, Hong Kong

This paper outlined previous research and testing carried out on the three previous ultrasound hatchcover testing equipment available on the market, followed by an update on equipment which has since been introduced to the market as a consequence of representations to the manufacturers. There followed a description of further tests carried out on the two most recently introduced equipment with some interesting results. The presentation was accompanied by a written paper and table giving a comparison of all five types of equipment which might be encountered by a marine surveyor in the field. The paper also covered Class approval, in its various guises, of the equipment, outlining the standards covering such approval. Recommendations were given as to how to use the equipment and to obtain training from an appropriate training organisation with experience of the equipment.


The Australian market
Mr Peter Lambert, Eastern Seaboard Marine Services

Peter, who has a wealth of experience in various sectors of our industry, summarised the development of the regulatory processes currently affecting our clients, and consequently, the marine surveyor's activities, stressing the reactive nature of our job with the problems
that brings.

Peter then treated us to his understanding of the 'Proactive Approach' and how it could be used in our profession for risk assessment/reduction, albeit where the surveyor is involved from the inception of a project. The need for open and direct communication between all interested parties was stressed, which can only stem from a well established trust between the Client and the survey company, together with correctly addressed risk factors will result in a win/win situation for all involved.

Peter also stressed that it is our responsibility to endeavour to promote, guide, assist and nurture the younger, upcoming group of surveyors and others who will replace us in future years, not too far away.


The Vietnam market
Mr William Wright, Matthews Daniel

Williams paper traced the historical development of key areas which have a major impact on the development of the marine industry in Vietnam namely; trade and port infrastructures, then went on to review the development of the shipping and insurance industry in Vietnam to date, including the current international perception of the shipping industry which determine marine surveying requirements in Vietnam. The presentation also covered the developments affecting the style and quality of marine surveying in Vietnam, raising a few comments from the Vietnamese surveyors in the audience.

William also summarised requirements to establish a business in Vietnam, including the different types of licensing and business restrictions, also covering the practical aspects of operating a surveying company in Vietnam with some practical aspects when conducting surveys. The paper concluded by looking at possible future developments in Vietnam, future requirements of the industry, future competition, summarising the key points required to successfully run a surveying business.

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State of the P&I survey market in Japan
Mr Hosotani Sadao, NAVREX & Corporation

Hosotani gave us some background on the Japanese marine insurance market with recent developments in the Japanese P&I and H&M markets. He detailed some recent casualties and how these were handled by all concerned. We were treated to an overview of the marine surveying market, the types of surveys carried out and intricate politics of control in carrying out damage surveys. With the size of the fishing industry the fishermen enjoy tremendous political power which can affect the way in which a Japanese surveyor can do his job.


Marine Surveying in China
Rules and regulations governing marine surveyors
Mr Feng Xiaodong, GM of China Marine Services, Beijing

This was an eagerly awaited paper by most of the delegates, many of whom were interested to hear about the development of a marine survey company in the PRC and Feng did not disappoint. He first outlined the organisations which are involved in the marine surveying sector, ie, Supreme People's Court, Ministry of Communication, Maritime Safety Administration, Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation and China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) . The last is notable as it sets examinations and approves Loss Adjusters in the PRC.

As in all countries, there appear to be different marine surveying sectors, eg, Government invested bodies, joint ventures between Government and foreign companies, domestic limited companies, professional experts and foreign independent companies. PICC established Hua Tai some nine years ago to carry out their survey work. Since then Thomas Miller P&I have established China Marine Surveys in association with China Classification Society to carry out survey work.

Unfortunately, foreign surveyors' reports are not allowed in PRC court cases so that a local surveyor must be appointed. Often this entails a duplication of effort with an expatriate expert supporting the PRC expert . Whilst the market is going through a transition from a Government controlled sector to a free market, foreign survey companies are not allowed to establish head offices in the PRC. However, they are allowed to operated 'Representative' offices, from which some expatriate surveyors are already operating.

Appointments are coming from the traditional clients. Sadly, there is no establishment overseeing the performance or marine surveyors and no code of ethics in place, with 'sink or swim' being the result.

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Where are the Surveyors of the future to come from?
Capt. Anne Rutherford, Briar Marine, Consultants, Tasmania

Anne's paper addressed an issue which concerns us all in our profession. The traditional sources of qualified personnel entering the profession are decreasing through natural attrition and shortfalls in senior officers are mean that this source could quickly dry up. Due to the fragmentation of our profession, little has been attempted in relation to career path identification or the establishment of recognised training. Anne's paper, to which a lot of thought and work had been given, suggested a career path for those wishing to become marine surveyors, including the development of an apprenticeship.

Anne also pointed out that there is often Government funding available for training in many countries. However, marine surveying is not seen as one of the professions that warrants such funding so that it is left to the larger companies to cough up.

The debate followed as to whether those entering the profession should have some sea time to fully appreciated the aims and objectives of carrying out the various types of survey.


“Frankly speaking” panel discussion between the instructed and the instructing

Mike Wall from Kiwi Marine Consultants Ltd, convenor
Mark Borkett from West of England.
Jacob Hogendorp, Smit
Feng Xiaodong, GM of China Marine Services, Beijing
Norman Finlay, WNV (UK) & Partners, SCMS Council member
Mr Li Zhen Jiang, China P&I Club, Beijing

Question and answer sessions after sessions were often lively with Chairmen having to cut them short for time keeping purposes. A number of themes came out as a consequence of the various papers and some of these were discussed during the open panel discussion:

1. Need for clear and unambiguous instructions from Principals.
2. Need for a clear career path and appropriate training programmes for future surveyors.
3. Need for the more companies to introduce a career path and training programmes.
4. Surveyors to do 'what they do best' and not attempt anything new without appropriate training.
5. When will expatriate surveyors be allowed to open companies in the PRC?
6. Need for further workshops to expand on some of the papers.
7. Need for Client recognition of professional societies/institutes.
8. Need for debt collection systems. Personal data privacy must be observed.
9. Observation that most marine surveyors seem ready to share information when Correspondents are not.
10. The Marine Surveying Diploma thought to be a good idea especially as supplement to the existing knowledge and experience. It will not turn individuals into surveyors overnight.
11. Training programmes could win government support and sponsorship because of their potential of reducing unemployment problems.
12. Ship and in particular sea-going experience were thought to be very important to any training for a marine surveyor since the potential surveyor might learn and fully appreciate the power of the sea and the damage that can caused to ships and cargoes.

The general feeling of the delegates and speakers was that the 2003 Asian Marine Surveying and Loss Prevention Forum' should be held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Dates and venue to be advised later.

Mike Wall

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Scuttlebut

NE P&I Club launches CD training package

THE North of England P&I club has launched the first module of an innovative CD-based training package designed to help shipowners provide familiarisation training to new crew members as required by the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Code 95. According to the club's head of loss prevention Phil Anderson: "Chapter VI of the STCW Code as well as section 6.3 of the ISM Code requires all seafarers joining a ship to receive suitable familiarisation training before being allowed to undertake shipboard duties. Understanding safety signs and alarm signals is one of the most fundamental requirements of the STCW Code so we felt this was an appropriate topic for the first familiarisation training module."

The launch is the latest in series of information technology initiatives being undertaken by the 39m gt club to enhance services to its 440 members. In February this year the club produced an electronic version of its unique distance-learning course in P&I insurance and in May it became the first club to trial Aon's on-line broking service. In November it will launch a new extranet through which members can directly access all underwriting, claims and accounting records.

(Courtesy MGN newsletter, newsletter3@mgn.com)

Fairplay Solutions

With a dearth of literature available to marine surveyors on their activities and responsibilities, it is good to report that 'Fairplay Solutions' is still alive and kicking. This publication monthly publishes incidents and accidents reported by marine surveyors with background, causes, consequences and ways of preventing reoccurrences. Well worth a read if you get chance as we can all learn from the case histories and articles.

Damnet

Surveyors can also contribute their experiences to Dammet on the web at: www.damnet.org/ where you have an opportunity to contribute to a database of information on marine incidents.

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Insurance News

Phantom ship alert

Shipers have been warned to take more care to prevent their cargoes being carried by unscrupulous shipping companies, following a landmark ruling by a Hong Kong court.

The owner of a missing cargo of palm oil worth US$2.5 million last month lost a long battle to recover insurance for the loss after the ship carrying the cargo disappeared on the high seas in 1998. The judge ruled that the cargo insurers could not be held liable for the risks of the voyage becvause it was different from the one described in the insurance policy. The insurer's defence was based on a 100 year old maritime law, Section 44 of the Marine Insurance Act (MIA) which states that a risk does not attach when a ship sets off for a destination other that that specified in the policy.

Although 'phantom ship fraud' is a sophisticated from of cargo theft, it can be avoided. The IMB maintains a database that has helped many cargo owners to avoid suspect ships.

(Courtesy of NUMAST 'Telegraph')

Hull losses set to push up premiums

RECENT hull losses, including the blaze on the passenger ship newbuilding Diamond Princess, could cost the global insurance market much as US$750m and are certain to push up premiums. The Joint Hull Committee in London says that the cumulative effect of these losses will result in yet more pressure being applied to rates for hull business, which it says are still considered uneconomic despite increases during the past twelve months. The "Diamond Princess" is the most significant in a string of expensive claims to hit the marine insurance market recently. The vessel, which had a Full Contract Value of up to $500m, was being built for P&O Princess Cruises at the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries yard in Nagasaki, Japan, when it was engulfed by fire, which caused extensive damage.

That incident followed rapidly on the grounding of the car carrier HUAL Europe", with an estimated insured value of over US$50m, in Tokyo Bay, off Yokohama, on October 1. Other major casualties include the Jolly Rubino, Hidir Bay, HUAL Troubadour, Treasure Bay, Alva Star and the Limburg.

The JHC says that it has been working with London brokers to try to assess the potential impact of recent big losses on the London market. JHC chairman Simon Beale says, "These events put huge additional pressure on rating levels within the hull account at a time when existing rates are well known to be at an uneconomic levels. At the recent IUMI conference in New York, various presentations showed the hull market still to be in loss and way off providing the required return on capital. There has been much talk of the market needing to strengthen considerably. These recent losses will give the underwriting market no choice but to take the necessary action to rapidly return the business to acceptable levels of profitability."

(Courtesy MGN newsletter, newsletter3@mgn.com)

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Epistles

Thanks to Robin Plumley in response to my question "What do you call a group of marine surveyors?"

- Collective Nouns for Marine Surveyors.

I suppose you could describe a school of ISM surveyors as a schism!!!

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People

This section of our newsletter is intended for those looking for jobs and those looking for people. It is also hoped to include information of movements of people in our business.

We hear that Peter Nation of Noble Denton, Singapore, is now out of danger and recovering in hospital.

We also hear that Jim Croall, Manager of the Technical Department of the
London office of Bilbrough has recently retired. He will be a hard act
to follow. Best wishes for the future Jim.

John Kingdom, Ship Surveys, was recently promoted to Director at Tindall Riley, Managers for the Britannia P&I Club.

When you are next travelling overseas on a job, why not contact Seafacs and let your clients know where you are to increase your chances of obtaining more work and cutting the clients expenses.

SIR ? Seafacs Information & Research PO Box 317, Welwyn Garden City, Herts AL8 6DP telephone: 01707 334192 fax: 01707 324615 email: seafacs@sir.co.uk web: www.sir.co.uk

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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.

Within your newsletter you mention web sites, I have a web site that you may
want to draw readers attention to, it is;

www.carrollmarine.co.uk

The web site contains a number of shipping related bulletins that have been prepared by myself. I would welcome any comments on the bulletins, especially CM003 that deals with towing equipment.

Best regards

John Carroll, Carroll Marine Ltd
E-mail: carrollmarine@aol.com
Web site: www.carrollmarine.co.uk

www.cfspencerandcoltd.com
C F Spencer and Co Ltd website has lots of technical notes on it, one just has to log in to download.

www.lrfairplay.com
Your readers might like to know that we offer a free-access website database on our homepage at 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.

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Conference Reports

See contributions above.

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Future Events

18 & 19 November 2002, MARE Forum Houston 2002, 'A Global Forum on the Maritime Transportation of Energy: Identifying the Priority Issues. Renaissance Houston Hotel Houston, Texas, USA.
To view the conference website and programme, please click on the following link:
http://www.mareforum.com/energy_maritime_transportation.htm
http://www.mareforum.com/energy_maritime_transportation_programme.htm
or email Catherine Kalamidas - Senior Conference Manager
Mare Forum - P.O. Box 30027 - 3001 DA Rotterdam - The Netherlands
Tel: +31.10.2057455 - Fax: +31.10.2055655 - info@mareforum.com

December 4 to 6, 2002, International WorkBoat Show, New Orleans USA. The world's largest trade show and conference focused on the construction and operation of commercial vessels 120 meters or less in length.

Marine professionals from 50 or so countries attend the International WorkBoat Show each year.
Website at www.workboatshow.com for the latest exhibitor list, travel information, and conference schedule. Register online to receive written confirmation of registration.

To plan a visit to the show or for more information, please contact Meg Handlin,
Marketing Manager, at mhandlin@divcom.com.

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NAMS 41st National Conference East, 13-15 April 2003, Tremont Hotel, 100 East
Chestnut Street, Chicago, Illinois.
Contact: Greg Davis. email information at www.daviscoltd.com

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From the Poop Deck

The Seaman

Between the innocence of infancy and the recklessness of adultery comes that unique specimen of humanity known as the Seaman. Seamen can be found in bars, in arguments, in bed, in debt and intoxicated. They are tall, short, fat, thin, dark, fair, but never normal.

They dislike ship's food, Chief Engineers, writing letters, sailing on Saturdays and dry ships. They like receiving mail, paying off day, nude pin-ups, sympathy, complaining and beer.

A Seaman's secret ambition is to change places with the Owner for just one trip, to own a brewery and to be loved by everyone in the world.

A seaman is a Sir Galahad in a Japanese brothel, a psychoanalyst with "Readers Digest" on the table, Don Quixote with a discharge book, the saviour of mankind with his back teeth awash, Valentino with a fiver in his pocket and democracy personified in a red Chinese prison cell.

A Seaman is a provider in war and a parasite in peace. No one is subjected to so much abuse, wrongly accused, so often misunderstood by so many as a Seaman. He has the patience of Job, the honesty of a fool and the heaven-sent ability to laugh at himself.

When he returns home from a long voyage no one else but a Seaman can create such an atmosphere of suspense and longing as he walks through the door with the magic words on his lips ...

"Have you got the ale in then?"

ANON

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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 responsibility 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: KiwiMarineHK@compuserve.com

  
     
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