A refresher course in the operation of survival craft and rescue boats was being conducted at a marine training centre. One of the practice sessions was an exercise in rescuing survivors from the water using a lifeboat.
In a new edition of feedback, CHIRP Maritime contains several reports that involve loss of life to highlight never to relax our vigilance when onboard. One case refers to an incident involving main engine failure that revealed maintenance deficiencies.
On 6th of December of 2022 a Supramax Bulk Carrier Flying the Indonesian Flag, inspected in Port Elizabeth, South Africa (Port UNLOCODE ZAPLZ) resulting in a detention and 85 Deficiencies.
A vessel berthed at a terminal and some port personnel noticed that one of the monkey fists used on a heaving line was particularly heavy. The monkey fist was inspected, and it was discovered that although the outer casing was made from rope, the inner core was of compacted sand surrounding a large steel nut contained within a cotton casing. The total weight was 740g.
The vessel and company were advised and there was an internal investigation. It transpired that the vessel had five other heaving lines with monkey fists on inventory. After testing with a metal detector no metal parts were found and all weighed less than 500g, which is an accepted maximum limit according to best practice and certain codes. It would appear a crewmember had made the monkey fist on his own initiative, and this escaped supervision or detection.