Surveyor Guide Notes on Safety Equipment Certificate Deficiencies

Understandably, Port State Control Inspectors are thoroughly inspecting safety equipment.

Unfortunately, the majority of the deficiencies found (around 80%) pertain to violations of safety equipment requirements. The real problem areas are firemains and survival craft. Following is a breakdown of the deficiencies found:

Survival Craft and Lifesaving Appliances

a. Launching device to be freed up.

b. Releasing gear not operating properly.

c. Inoperable lifeboat motor.

d. Inadequate lifeboat equipment, including missing food rations, spotlight, tin opener, sea sickness pills, fire extinguisher, fishing tackle, radar reflectors, portable flashlights and batteries, axes, oil, sea anchor and line, and lifeboat cover.

e. Name of vessel/port of registry not on lifebuoys.

f. No embarkation ladders for lifeboats.

g. Lifeboat embarkation stations not illuminated.

h. Wasted water containers in lifeboats.

i. Lifeboat davits not operating properly, were wasted, or were seized.

j. Lifeboat’s keel rivets corroded.

k. Grab rails on lifeboat to be replaced.

l. Lifeboat fuel tank rusted through.

m. Plugs for lifeboats not properly marked nor indicated.

n. Retro-reflective tape was not placed on the bottoms of lifeboats that are not self-righting.

o. Bilges of lifeboat to be cleaned.

p. Missing weak links on liferafts.

q. Man rapes to be repaired on lifeboats and length not long enough.

r. Braces for lifeboat covers need repair.

s. Holes in lifeboat.

t. Free fall lifeboat not secure in its cradle.

u. Lifebuoy lights not working.

v. Lifeboats not on board vessel.

w. Additional lifejackets to be provided for forward liferafts.

x. Containers for liferafts not marked with inspection stickers.

y. Operating instructions for lifeboats and liferafts missing.

z. Rotted wood seating and flooring in lifeboats.

aa. Food and equipment storage lockers not water tight.

bb. Lifeboat wastage found in way of rivets, and doublers to be removed.

cc. Lifejacket rights not working.

dd. Lifebuoys on navigating bridge not of the quick release type.

ee. Limit switches on davits not working.

ff. Lifeboat bilge pump hoses rotted.

gg. Lifeboat davits not turned end-for-end or not renewed.

hh. Tracings pennants for lifeboats incorrect length.

ii. Liferafts not serviced al proper intervals.

jj. Exposed, loose lifeboat equipment not lashed to lifeboat.

kk. Lifeboat engine exhaust pipe to be renewed.

ll. Fwd and Aft lifting hook check plates to be renewed.

mm. Lifeboat engine cover not watertight.

nn. Becketed life lines wasted or not connected lo lifeboat.

oo. Lifeboat rudder cannot be operated and rudder pulling away from hull.

pp. Lifeboat flemming gear does not operate.

qq. Lifebuoys found with serf- igniting lights and lifelines attached.

rr. Retro-reflective tape not found on lifebuoys or to be renewed.

ss. Lifeboat painter lines were not stowed far quick release and wooden toggles missing.

tt. Forward six man liferafts found locked in storage locker.

uu. Lifeboat tricing pennant connectors to be repaired.

vv. Liferafts were not free floating and weak links missing.

ww. Lifeboat oar locks frozen, missing, or not lashed to lifeboat by chains.

xx. Embarkation gates for lifeboats cannot be opened with boats in way.

yy. ER lifejackets missing for men on watch.

zz. Skates missing on lifeboats.

aaa. Emergency lighting near lifeboats to be repaired.

bbb. Lifeboat oars missing and not marked with name of vessel

cee. Davit hand cranks to be repaired.

ddd. Total number of persons not marked on lifeboat.

Fire and Emergency Equipment

a. Emergency fire pump not working

b. Wasted firemains and firemains leaking.

c. Defective or missing fire hoses.

d. Smoke detection system to be repaired.

e. Main fire pump, Engine Room, not working satisfactorily.

f. Paint locker without fire extinguishing arrangement.

g. Flammable materials and paints stowed in forward stores, steering gear room and ER instead of in paint locker.

h. Muster list not satisfactory, does not define alternatives for key personnel.

i. IGS system, pv valves on branch lines to cargo tanks frozen and deck water seal and loop arrangement missing; piping deteriorated; portable instruments for measuring 0₂ and flammable vapor Inoperable.

j. Emergency generator not working.

k. Table of lifesaving signals not on bridge.

l. Muster point to be defined for fire and emergency.

m. Luminescent emergency posters/IMO symbols to be posted.

n. Fire dampers inoperative (unable to close/open) or not marked.

o. Spanners missing from fire stations; nozzles not of dual purpose type.

p. Fireman’s outfits missing equipment and not ready for immediate use.

q. Instructions for C0₂ release missing.

r. Fire station handles, hinges broken, and hand wheel missing.

s. Fire hoses not connected to fire main and ready for immediate use.

t. Flexible loops on C0₂ system twisted, creating blockage for C0₂ to pass.

u. Fire nozzles missing or wasted, gaskets to be renewed.

v. Main fire pump missing.

w. Lighting fixtures missing globes.

x. Insufficient portable extinguishers in accommodation spaces and ER.

y. Risk of fire due to oil accumulation in ER, steering gear room, galley, mast house.

z. Lifeboat drills not satisfactory; crew not prepared.

aa. Fire control plan to be updated and written with correct IMO symbols. Fire control plan container, frozen.

bb. Oxy/Acetylene cylinders found stowed in crew’s quarters and in ER.

cc. Doublers on fire main.

dd. Line throwing apparatus not on board.

ee. Galley’s flame/grease screen missing.

ff. No valid sample test certificate for foam on board.

gg. C0₂ bottles to be serviced.

hh. Storage locker far fireman’s outfits not properly marked.

ii. ER firebox without sand or scoop.

jj. Breathing apparatuses not maintained.

kk. Fire flaps in ER to be serviced.

ll. Foremast electrical supply dangerously exposed.

mm. Flame screens on battery room vents missing.

nn. Fire doors to be repaired (closing arrangement), and some provided with hold back hooks.

oo. Oily rags stowed near ER air receivers and in ER.

pp. Excessive oil found, in ER bilges.

qq. Guard missing on belt drive for emergency fire pump priming pump.

rr. Emergency generator room not properly marked.

ss. No safety/fire control plans on the bridge and inside accommodation passages.

tt. Entries far abandon ship/boat drills not made in ship’s lag.

uu. Fire hydrant fire valve stems loose.

vv. No operation instructions for fire emergency pump.

ww. C0₂ piping crimped, in way of paint locker.

xx. Fire hose nozzles not of dual purpose type in ER.

yy. Fire extinguisher in radio room, missing.

zz. Safety training manual not adapted for vessel.

aaa. C0₂ stations, no door alarm, no instruction panel, door not properly marked, instructions in Spanish only; door seized.

bbb. Instructions in use and maintenance of firefighting equipment are missing.

ccc. C0₂ cylinder room to be cleared of all items stored in it.

ddd. Fireman’s suits to have lanterns, not flashlights.

eee. SOLAS training manuals not installed in every mess room.

fff. All paints to be removed from ER and stowed in proper paint locker.

ggg. General emergency signal not in compliance with Regulation III/60. See SOLAS Chapter III

hhh. Electric wiring on Christmas tree (navigation lights) unsafe.

Navigation Equipment

a. No navigation charts of area navigated.

b. Compass deviation chart missing or to be updated.

c. Charts, Tide Tables, and List of Lights outdated.

d. Gyro compass repeater, 30º off.

e. Echo depth sounder not working.

f. Pre-arrival tests not logged.

g. Radar not operating properly.

h. Latest Notices to Mariners not on board.

i. Pilot ladder steps painted and embarkation station stanchions corroded.

j. Small pilot ladder, no spreader.

k. Sailing Directions missing, and Supplements to Sailing Directions outdated.

1. Abandon ship drills not being held.

m. Magnetic Compass/spare has 20% of liquid missing.

n. Navigation lights repaired.

o. Charts not corrected and chart catalogues outdated.

p. Navigation light door hinge broken.

q. No ITU volumes available. International Code of Signals missing.

r. Gyro repeater in steering gear room to be aligned.

s. Rudder angle indicator missing.

t. Speaking tube between magnetic compass and bridge missing.

Documentation/Certificates

a. Improper keel date on Safety Equipment Certificate.

b. Records form E. P. do not indicate proper number of persons being accommodated by lifesaving appliances.

c. Manning Certificate expired.

d. Manning exceeds number indicated on Safety Equipment Certificate.

e. Copy of SOLAS and all amendments not on board.

As can be seen from the above listed deficiencies, Port State Control inspectors are carrying out very detailed surveys, looking specifically for fire hazards, condition of equipment used for fire and emergency, and crew preparedness. Surveyors shall remind the Owner to remove any fire hazards they come across during the course of the survey.