Below is an overview of some detainable deficiencies found during PSC examinations in 2020 as presented in recently released '2020 Annual Report' by USCG.
Safety Management Systems (SMS): SMS deficiencies evidenced by multiple uncorrected material and/or operational deficiencies are often the most cited. The most common SMS deficiency is where the crew failed to implement the SMS as it relates to the maintenance of the ship and equipment. SMS related detentions usually resulted from the failure of the master and or crew to report non-conformities to the company. Expanded ISM exams also turned up instances of logs not accurately reflecting the condition of lifesaving and firefighting equipment. In one case, the master provided documentation of regular testing of the ship’s water spray system despite the PSCO observing several nozzles that were corroded and clogged. During another exam, despite the ship’s records indicating weekly checks were performed on the low-pressure CO2 system, the PSCO identified a valve on the service line left in the open position with no blanking flange. Any release of CO2 from the system would have immediately caused that space to fill with CO2 and present a danger to life.
Fire Safety: The prevention of fires on board ships remains an area of particular concern for our PSC program. Deficiencies related to oil soaked lagging coupled with excessive fuel leaks were the most common cause of detentions in areas under fire safety. Several deficiencies related to fixed firefighting installations were also observed. During one exam, the PSCO noted all five of the vessel water mist system discharge valves in the closed position. Although the system was in automatic mode, in the event of a fire, the closed valves would not have supplied fire-fighting water as designed. On another ship, rags were found stuffed into all of the sprinkler heads of the fixed water sprinkling firefighting system in a paint locker. There were several issues related to the operation of the ship’s fire pumps. In one case, each of the ship’s required fire pumps were not able to deliver the required two jets of water due to malfunctioning impellers. The ship had to run both pumps simultaneously to supply enough pressure. Finally, despite only two issues related to inoperable smoke detectors, there were still a few deficiencies related to smoke detectors being found covered with plastic bags.
MARPOL Annex I: For 2020, there were seven detainable deficiencies related to MARPOL Annex I. In addition to the usual deficiencies related to oily water separating equipment, two ships were discovered illegally discharging oily waste. In both cases, a member of the crew initially informed the Coast Guard of situations on board the ship. In the first case, the crewmember provided evidence of modifications to the oily water separator piping system, which allowed oily waste to bypass the system and be pumped directly overboard. In the second case, the crewmember demonstrated how the bilge piping arrangement was modified, including the hand wheel on the bilge isolation valve. The modifications allowed the valve to open without breaking the tamper seal. Officers on both ships were subject to criminal investigations for illegally discharging oil waste.
Lifesaving Appliances: Overall, detainable deficiencies related to lifesaving systems have remained steady over the years accounting for less than 10% of the total. Deficiencies related to rescue boats and lifeboats generally lead this category most due to them not being ready for immediate use. During one exam, the PSCO observed six to eight inch long cracks along the bow, center, and stern sections of the upper rails due to contact with the davits in both port and starboard life-boats. On another ship, 30 of the ship’s 31 immersion suits were taken out of service due to their poor condition
*This highlights only a portion of the detainable deficiencies discovered in 2020. The Coast Guard stresses that if any ship’s system required by international conventions is not in working condition, the master and crew should take necessary actions to remedy the situation in accordance with their SMS before the ship enters port and report any unresolved issues on their advance notice of arrival.
Source: http://mariners.coastguard.blog