FLASHLIGHT is a free monthly emailed newsletter circulated to more than 5,000 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.  It is a collation of articles relevant to our profession taken from various publications together with contributions from readers.  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 readers this month:

Susann D. Hunt, Assistant Marine Security Inspector, Transport Canada
Anthony Fioravanti, NMCI Group, National Marine Consultants, Inc., Parlin, NJ , USA.
Tim Grime, AMS Shanghai Ltd, Pudong, Shanghai, PRC.

Crew fingered in ferry probe

QUEBEC 13 March – A federal government investigative report into the sinking of the BC Ferries, Queen of the North, released yesterday, has essentially come to no conclusions. Two years after the ferry sinking Canada's Transportation Safety Board (TSB) reported that the agency was unable to explain why the two crew members on the bridge, Karl Lilgert, the senior officer, and junior officer Karen Bricker did not carry out a routine course correction and aimed the ferry, at its full speed of 17.5kt, into Gil Island, resulting in two deaths. However, it is known that Lilgert and Bricker were lovers prior to the accident and that the lights on the bridge were dimmed. According to Canada's national broadcasting corporation (CBC), which obtained the document, the TSB report has not answered fundamental questions, especially why the two officers were unaware the ferry was off course and aimed to hit an island. The TSB report essentially confirms an internal investigation conducted by the ferry corporation last year. According to the CBC report the TSB criticises the ferry corporation for not having more qualified officers on the bridge at the time of the accident and the fact that some members of the crew regularly smoked marijuana. The report has already been criticised by some British Columbia politicians for being "too little too late". Two passengers died when the ferry sank enroute between Prince Rupert and Port Hardy 22 March 2006.

Congress to talk bilge

WASHINGTON, DC 13 March – Vessel discharges would get closer scrutiny from the Coast Guard (USCG) under a bill introduced this week in Congress. Alaska Republican Rep Don Young introduced the bill, which would apply to greywater, bilge water, cooling water, weather deck runoff, oil water separator effluent and any other pollutant discharge. The bill specifically excludes discharges like ballast water and sewage, which are dealt with in other laws. It covers discharges from the operation of a marine propulsion system, shipboard manoeuvring system, crew habitability system, or installed major equipment. The bill directs the Coast Guard to identify these discharges and to develop “an analysis of current technologies or best management practices, and their associated costs, used to control such discharges”. Finally, the bill directs the USCG to prepare management options to control and regulate such discharges.

Oz owners welcome coastal review

CANBERRA 13 March – Australian shipowners have welcomed their government's decision to conduct a full review of the country's coastal shipping arrangements. Transport minister Anthony Albanese yesterday confirmed that a bipartisan House of Representatives standing committee will make recommendations on the future of the coastal shipping sector. "The committee will also assess measures for developing an adequate skilled maritime workforce in order to facilitate the sector's growth," Albanese indicated. David Sterrett, chairman of the Australian Shipowners Association, said in a statement today that the review would "surely inject stability and confidence into the Australian shipping industry. For some time the regulatory environment for shipping in Australia has not been conducive to investment." Albanese also stressed that the Labor government wished to see "a viable coastal shipping industry in a competitive domestic transport sector – an outcome critical to Australia's economic future and long-term national security". This is something that the country's maritime unions and shipowners have long been seeking.

Rescue was a worrying omen

WASHINGTON, DC 26 March – SAVING 42 seafarers and fishermen from a doomed fish processing ship in the Bering Sea on Sunday was the largest such rescue mission in USCG memory and portends things to come as the region is expected to see growing commercial traffic. USCG Adm Thad Allen told Fairplay this week that he cannot recall a mission where the Coast Guard lifted that many crewmen from any vessel by helicopter – especially in the frigid waters off the Aleutians. Four other crewmen aboard the US-flagged fishing vessel Alaska Ranger (IMO 7303970) perished and a fifth missing man is now presumed dead. Allen says the region’s waters are challenging for vessel operations and search and rescue missions and he is keeping to plans to test the effectiveness of USCG vessels and aircraft in the region this spring and summer. The evaluation programme is being co-ordinated with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in hopes of making the region safer for both fishing vessels and commercial ships. “Fishing vessels are working waters farther north,” he said. “And with growing interest in using the Northwest Passage as a commercial waterway, we have to know more about the region.” The 1,562gt fishing factory ship began to take on water early Sunday when it lost its rudder and rudder shaft. It sank before rescuers arrived on scene to find the crewmen clad in survival suits floating in 36-degree Fahrenheit (2-degree Celsius) water.

(With thanks for Fairplay Daily News: news@fairplay.co.uk)

In Brief

Fishing call the Marine Accident Investigation Branch has called for urgent action to check the survey status and manning arrangements of the 113 foreign-owned fishing vessels flying the UK flag. The call for the Maritime & Coastguard Agency to carry out the checks followed findings from investigations into a fire onboard the Spanish-owned trawler Shark which, the MAIB said, raised doubts over the safe operation and supervision of the entire foreign-owned UK fishing fleet.

Safety alarm: ships today are twice as likely to be involved in a serious grounding, collision or contact accident than they were five years ago, according to a new study. Announcing the findings last month, the classification society DNV said the figures showed the need for immediate action by the industry. It warned that the cost of such accidents had more than doubled over the same period, and standards were at risk as a result of commercial pressures and skill shortages.

Tax appeal: organisations including the Baltic Exchange, the Chamber of Shipping and Maritime London last month jointly called on the government to scrap plans to change the tax rule for 'non-domiciled' UK residents. They said the proposals could undermine the UK's £1.5bn maritime services sector by forcing the departure of 'most, if not all, nondomiciled shipping businesses from the UK'

Teesport go-ahead: shipping minister Jim Fitzpatrick has given the go-ahead to PD Ports' plans for a E300 m deepsea container terminal on the south bank of the river Tees. The new facility will be able to handle ships of up to 10,000 TEU, with an annual capacity of around 1.5m TEU a year.

Aliens alert: a scientists have warned that alien marine species are wreaking havoc on the world's oceans and river systems. A study published by the Nature Conservancy organisation said that 84% of the world's coasts are now being affected by foreign aquatic species.

Southampton delays: the Freight Transport Association has expressed concern over continuing delays and diversions caused by a crane collapse at Southampton container terminal in January, which left five cranes out of action last month.

Sulphur cap: a worldwide 0.5% cap on sulphur could more than halve the number of deaths linked to air pollution from shipping, according to research by the US Clean Air Task force.

Loran lilt: the general lighthouse authorities of the UK and Ireland have welcomed a United States decision to implement eLoran as a complement to the Global Positioning System.

Dart service: Dart Line and Associated British Ports have announced an agreement for a new daily service linking Ipswich and the Belgian port of Ostend.

Box ship boom a record total of 399 containerships of 1.37m TEU capacity was delivered during 2007- with just 22 box ships going to scrap, according to a report from the analysts ASX-Alphaliner. The study adds that owners ordered 571 containerships totalling 3.5m TEU last year - some 50% of which were for vessels over 7,500 TEU.

State sued: the Gard PM Club says it is planning to sue the Norwegian state to recover damages it paid out following the capsize of the bulk carrier Rocknes in 2004. Eighteen seafarers died when the vessel sank, and the club alleges that government bodies were negligent in failing to properly chart shallows near the port of Bergen.

Shanghai surge: Shanghai has replaced Hong Kong as the world's second-ranking container port after Singapore, recording a 20.4% surge in traffic last year. Shanghai handled some 26m TEU during 2007, while Singapore grew 13% to 27.1m TEU and Hong Kong dropped to third place with 23.88 m TEU - a 1.5% increase.

Cherbourg suffers: the French port of Cherbourg says it suffered a 37.5% fall in the number of cross-Channel lorries last year following the suspension of Celtic Link's plan to establish a new freight link with Portsmouth. General passenger traffic fell by 3.5%, the port added, but increased by 8.6% on services to Ireland.

Dredging demo: demonstrations were staged in Australia last month when the Dutch dredger Queen of the Netherlands arrived in Port Phillip Bay to begin a controversial project to expand facilities to deal with new 'mega' containerships.

Bad reception: the tanker owners' organisation Intertanko is urging seafarers to report inadequate waste reception facilities in US ports. It claims that a dearth of proper provision is encouraging illicit dumping at sea.

Russian rush: new figures show a continued exodus of shipping from the Russian flag. The proportion of the Russian controlled fleet operating under foreign registers has risen from 31.5% a decade ago to 62.5% now.

Greek alarm: the heads of the Greek shipowners' association have urged their colleagues to step up training in response to the growing crisis in the supply of skilled seafarers. Nikos Efthymiou, president of the Union of Greek Shipowners, warned last month that Greece needs to crew some 15.5% of the world's fleet in terms of capacity, and urged the country's government to adopt measures to boost maritime education.

German drive: shipowners in Germany have promised to increase the number of vessels flying the national flag from just over 400 to 500 by the end of the year. The owners' organisation VDR is urging its members to bring ships back to the national register following an agreement with the maritime union Verdi on the language requirements for masters of German-flagged vessels.

Yachts sought: a conference was staged in Paris last month as part of a drive to promote the French International Register (RIF) as a flag for yachts of 24m or more. RIF authorities say they have already accepted yachts from seven owners, most of them transferring from the red ensign, and several more applications are under consideration.

LNGs idle: a record number of 35 LNG carriers were delivered last year - but many are lying idle because new gas liquefaction plants and terminals are not yet ready, says leading France-based ship broker Barry Rogliano Salles. About 250 LNGs are presently in service and delivery of a further 50 is expected this year.

SeaFrance flourishes: the cross-Channel operator SeaFrance has indicated that 2007 was a very good year'- with a 4.5% increase in passenger numbers and an 11.4% rise in cars carried. The company now claims a 14.5% share of regular non-freight traffic and 20% of the freight market on the Dover-Calais route.

Spanish protest: Spain has lodged a diplomatic protest with the UK over the way in which authorities in Gibraltar have handled the removal of the wreck of a bulk carrier following a collision last August. Spain has complained that oil leaking from the Panama-flagged New Flame is polluting beaches around Algeciras.

Scrap slump: the number of ships scrapped around the world has slumped from 646 in 2001 to 288 last year, according to the French environmental organisation Robin des Bois.

(With thanks to the Shipping Telegraph, journal of NAUTILUS)

THEFT OF MERCHANDISE FROM CONTAINERS WITH SEALS INTACT
By Anthony J. Coppola , NAMS-CMS

In recent months I have been involved in investigation of cargo theft from ocean containers.  This usually involves high value cargo such as frozen shrimp where the value of the shipments is in excess of $200,000.00.

It must be noted that the theft is not discovered until the shipment arrives at consignee's premises in a container with the original seal intact.  In the recent past, this involved containers coming out of Vietnam and being trans-shipped in Taiwan.

Normally, only one (1) locking bar handle on the container is utilized for the seals.  In each of the cases that I investigated, the locking bar handle is fastened by a rivet to the locking bar.  This rivet is drilled out or removed, allowing the locking bar handle with the seal intact on the outboard end to drop.  A bar is placed in the receptacle for the original locking bar handle, and the container is opened with seal still intact.  Part of or all of the contents are removed, and the doors are closed, and a new "dummy" rivet is placed connecting the locking bar to the locking bar handle.  In many cases, the forward end of the new rivet is not flattened out and is just sitting in its position.

Based on our past experience, the best way to determine when and where the theft took place is to check the Partlow chart or download the reefer records.  This usually pinpoints the time and possible location where the theft took place.  At the time of the theft, the temperature rises as a result of the door being opened while the contents are being removed.

If you run into a circumstance where the cargo has been pilfered with the seal intact, check the rivet on the locking bar handle to see if it matches the other rivets and/or is actually flared out at the forward end.   Covers for locking bar handle rivets have been developed to prevent drilling out the rivets.I would be interested in hearing about reports of similar incidents in various parts of the country.  

ISPS

Conflicts continue to develop with respect to the implementation of the ISPS Code.  Each 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 .....

Concern over Yacht risks

MARINE insurers have voiced concern about the increasing risk of significant claims coming from the large yacht sector.

The insurance company Aon says 'booming superyacht sales and spiralling values' are presenting a growing potential for a major incident

Since 2004, the number of 30m-plus 'superyachts' has risen from around 4,000 to some 7,000, with almost 480 newbuilds due to be launched this year.

'As well as increasing in numbers, the size and value of superyachts is also trending higher Aon's annual marine insurance market review points out. Several superyachts now under construction will have completed values anywhere between €350m and €500m, the report stresses.

'The yacht market has received very few claims,' Aon adds. 'But quite separately, the combination of booming superyacht sales and spiralling

values is starting to bring with it an increased potential for risk aggregation.'

Insurers are aware of the potential for a major incident involving large yachts, says Aon, and are considering ways to mitigate this.

The report also warns that the large yacht sector is starting to share commercial shipping's skill shortages, with the surge in sales meaning yacht owners are struggling to attract qualified crew members.

None this month.

Incite Claims Management Limited has changed its name to C Solutions Limited

The new website containing the details of the other 21 offices can be found at: www.csolutionslimited.com

Jim Allsworth has joined the group as Managing Director. Having worked at Ince & Co for nearly 20 years, Jim brings welcome legal and practical experience to the team.

Tiaras and T-Shirts:  A working life at sea, by Muriel Arnold (ISBN 1-904440-92-4).  Cost GBP9.99.  PUblished by Librario, Brough House, Milton Brodie, Kinloss, Moray IV36 2UA, United Kingdom.  www.librario.com

******

Managing Collision Avoidance at Sea, by Captain Gilber Lee and Julian Parker (ISBN 1 870077 86 5) Cost GBP27.50.  Published by the Nautical Institute.  www.nautinst.org/publications

******

Ship Steward's Handbook by JJ T Rayner and EC Plumb (ISBN 978 1844 860 562) Cost GBP6.99  Published by Conway.  www.anovabooks.com

None this month.

(ED: If you intend to attend a conference which you believe would be of interest to our readers, we would be grateful to receive a short synopsis.)

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.

For those of you who might also be interested, UK M Notices are available at:  www.mcagency.org.uk

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

NAMS Yachts and Small Craft Surveyor Education Program:

This is a recreational boating industry guided program for individuals planning to become certified yacht and small craft marine surveyors. NAMS participation has been organized by the NAMS Education Committee, Chaired by Greg Davis, NAMS-CMS, and has been formally endorsed by the National Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMS) Executive Committee.

The Marine Industry, represented by Boat US, NMMA, ABYC, NAMS, and SAMS, has produced a program that will instruct individuals wishing to enter the marine survey profession. Committee participants identified issues of importance that each industry segment had relative to marine surveyors, and incorporated elements into the program of instruction to address those issues. As a result, the content of the program has the support of the participating entities.

The program is a first in the Yacht and Small Craft marine survey profession. There are six components to the educational side of the program:

Basic Marine Electrical - ABYC Classroom Basic Marine Engines - ABYC Classroom
Valuation Concepts - NAMS Correspondence Standards Accreditation - ABYC Classroom
Composite Boat Building – ABYC Classroom Marine Corrosion - ABYC Classroom

The total cost of instruction is approximately $2,100. Program participants are expected to finalize work in no more than 3 years. Participants must be an active member of ABYC.

For NAMS aspirants, an applicant must also be an Associate or Apprentice member of NAMS. This will provide a “hands-on” component provided by their NAMS-CMS sponsor and or mentor.

Program Content:

Class Name
Class Provider
Class Location
Normal Class Cost NAMS Small Craft Apprentice Program Cost
Basic Marine Electric ABYC Classroom $495 $396.00 20% off
Basic Marine Engines ABYC Classroom $495 $396.00 20% off
Valuation Concepts NAMS Correspondence N/C
Standards Certification ABYC Classroom $525 $420.00 20% off
Composites Boat Builder ABYC Classroom $525 $420.00 20% off
Certification Marine Corrosion Certification ABYC Classroom $885 $442.50 50% off
Total $2925.00 $2074.50

It is recommended the member complete the basic classes first and the Marine Corrosion class last (in order to benefit the most from the 50% final class ABYC discount). With all the discounts the cost is a real bargain over normal registration . The ABYC 50% discount applies only to the last class taken, and the class must be taken within the parameters of this program’s requirements. Please call the NAMS office at 1-800-822-6267 to gain admittance to this program. Then contact ABYC at 1-410-990-4460, or www.abycinc.org., forward your NAMS acceptance letter, and schedule your first class.

Program requirements:
1. Must be a NAMS Apprentice, Associate or Certified member.
2. Applicant must be a member of ABYC.
3. Notify NAMS within your first year of membership that you are joining into this program.
4. Send a copy of your NAMS letter-advising acceptance into this program to the ABYC Education department when you register for your first class.
5. Complete the course of study above within three years of acceptance into this program.
6. Send copies of your course certificates of completion and request your CMS test to the NAMS national office.

******

14 April 2008.  London Marine Surveying Conference 2008, HQS Wellington, Temple Stairs, Victoria Embankment, London.  Organised by IIMS.  Email:  general@iims.org.uk
Followed by the conference dinner.   Following day is members' day concluding with the Institute's AGM.

13 – 15 April 2008.  NAMS 46th Annual National Marine Conference East, The Monteleone Hotel, New Orleans, LA.
Info: www.nams-cms.org for details; NAMS Headquarters Ph: 800 822-6267or (757) 638-9638

16 & 17 January 2008: Knox Marine Claims Conference, New Orleans at the Sheraton Metairie, Metairie, Louisiana. Both NAMS and SAMS have previously awarded 12 CEU's for attending the conference. For more details, and to register, go to the Knox Marine web site -
http://www.knoxmarine.com/conference/conference.html where topics and speakers are listed. Course tuition is $450. Groups of four or more receive a discount. For details contact Steve Knox at sknox@knoxmarine.com or 804.364.8738. We look forward to seeing you there.

10-13 April 2008.  China International Boat Show (Shanghai)
www.boatshowchina.com
 
24-27 April 2008, Boat Asia (Singapore)
www.boat-asia.com
 
28-30 April 2008, Maldives International Boat Show (Maldives)
www.saexhibitions.com/boatshow

9-11 May 2008, Boat Thai (Bangkok)
www.boat-thai.com

Bono, lead singer of the rock band U2, is famous throughout the entertainment industry for being more than just a little self-righteous.

At a recent U2 concert in Glasgow , Scotland , he asked the audience for total quiet. Then, in the silence, he started to slowly clap his hands. Once every few seconds.

Holding the audience in total silence, he said into the microphone,

'Every time I clap my hands, a child in Africa dies.'

A voice from the front of the crowd pierced the quiet ...

'Well, fookin stop doin' it then, ya evil b@stard!'

FOR OUR REGULAR READERS, NO NEW WEB SITES THIS MONTH:

We are no longer publishing our list of useful web sites for marine surveyors due to the eventual size of the email being sent out.  If you wish to receive the list, please contact the editor at the email address below.

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: