U.K. Detains 15 Foreign Ships in August

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) detained 15 foreign ships in U.K. ports during August 2002 after failing port state control safety inspections. The latest monthly figures show that eight foreign ships were detained in U.K. ports during August 2002 along with 7 other ships still under detention from previous months. The overall rate of detentions compared with inspections carried out over the last 12 months in 6.3 percent, an increase of .1 percent on the 12-month rate to July. August was the second month of the Paris MOU concentrated inspection campaign on ISM, and one of the eight vesels detained half were found to have ISM related deficiencies. The vessels detained included an Antigua and Barbuda flagged general cargo vessel detained in Teeside with 22 deficiencies. Both lifeboats were damaged leaving buoyancy tanks exposed, and seized sheaves prevented the correct lowering of the port boat. The vessel was found to have other serious deficiencies for example the radar was found to be inoperative and nozzles were missing from the accommodation hose box. The ship’s ISM maintenance procedures had failed to ensure compliance with SOLAS requirements. A St. Vincent Grenadines flagged general cargo vessel was also detained for failures in the implementation of the maintenance program required by ISM, with 33 deficiencies recorded against the vessel. The emergency fire pump would not pump water and the lifeboat was incapable of being brought alongside the boat deck. Severe corrosion was also found throughout the ship, with the front accommodation bulkhead being corroded through at the main deck level, and the forecastle deck being holed in at least 3 places. The list details the name, flag state, owner or operator and classification society of each detained ship together with the summary of the main grounds for detention.