FUNCTION 3 – MISCELLANEOUS

It is an emergency that requires urgent precautionary, protective, and early responsive action.

The signal is composed of seven or more short blasts followed by one prolonged blast.

M notices are published by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA), U.K., which are applicable for all ships.

MS notices are published by DGS India & apply only to Indian ships, crew, and ports.

A convention is an agreed set of rules related to a particular matter. The need for a convention is triggered by a major incident or after a major research study.

For example, we needed to have the SOLAS convention after the sinking of the Titanic.

                         We need to have the MARPOL convention after a number of pollution incidents.

                         We need to have the Ballast Water convention after research where found that the discharge of ballast water is harmful.

The draft is discussed and set by the relevant committee of IMO. The convention is adopted once the number of states agrees to that.

Let us say we are drafting the requirements for a lifeboat. Then, we also require a description for that, which adds another 3-4 pages. This will increase the size of the convention.

It is not a matter of 3-4 pages; imagine having all the codes like FSS code, LSA code, ISM code, and ISPS code inside a SOLAS. In this way, we will face issues.

So, what we can do is provide all this information as a “code” and mention the code reference in the convention.

• International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)
• International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)
• International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW)
• Maritime Labour Convention (MLC)
• Ballast Water Convention (BWC)

Some other IMO conventions are

• Convention on the International Regulation for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), 1972
• Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL), 1965
• International Convention on Load Lines (LL), 1966
• International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR), 1979
• International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC), 1972
• International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (CLC), 1969

The Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL) came into force in 1967.

The purpose of the FAL convention is to prevent unnecessary delays in maritime traffic.

Since April 2019, the FAL convention has made it mandatory for ships and ports to exchange FAL data electronically.

Athens Convention for the Carriage of Passengers and Their Luggage by Sea came into force in 1987.

This convention establishes a system of liability for damage suffered by passengers carried on a seagoing vessel.

It declares that a carrier is liable for damage or loss suffered by a passenger.

Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wreck, adopted in 2007, entered into force in 2015.

This convention provides international rules to ensure prompt and effective removal of wrecks located beyond the territorial sea.

The convention makes the shipowner liable or provide financial security to cover the cost of wreck removal.

• The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 was passed by the United States Congress and signed by President George H. W. Bush.
• It requires a specific operating procedure for tankers in U.S. waters.
• It provides facilities for the removal of spilled oils.
• It defines responsible parties and financial liabilities.
• It assigns liability for the cost of cleanup and damage.
• It resulted in instrumental changes in oil production, transportation, and distribution industries.

• The Civil Liability Convention was adopted to ensure that adequate compensation is available to the owner of the ship from which the polluting oil escaped or was discharged.
• In case a shipowner is found guilty of oil pollution, the convention does not cap liability.
• The new amendment of the Civil Liability Convention is the 2000 Amendment.
• The CLC deals with pollution from persistent oil, which persists longer in the environment.
• The 2000 Amendment set out the limit of liability:

→ For ships under 5000 GRT, liability is limited to 4.51 million SDR (Special Drawing Rights).

→ For ships between 5000 and 140,000 GRT, liability is limited to 4.51 million SDR + 631 SDR for each additional GRT over 5000.

→ For ships over 140,000 GRT, liability is limited to 89.77 million SDR.

• It is the first-ever global convention to protect the marine environment from human activity.
• It has been in force since 1975.
• Its objective is to promote effective measures against all sources of marine pollution.
• It takes all practicable steps to prevent pollution of the sea by the dumping of wastes.

• The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea was adopted in 1982.
• It lays down a system of law and order in the world’s oceans and seas.
• it establishes the rules regarding uses of oceans & their resources.

(a) Base line

• A baseline, as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), is the line along the coast from which the seaward limit of a country’s territorial sea (and other maritime zones of jurisdiction) is measured.
• Normally, the baseline follows the low-water line of the coastal state

(b) Territorial water

• Territorial water, as defined by the UNCLOS, is a 12-nautical-mile zone measured from the baseline.
• This zone is part of the territory of the country.
• Within this zone, the country has complete freedom to do what it wants because the law of the country is applicable within this zone.
• After that, international law will apply.

(c) Contiguous zone 

• The contiguous zone of a country is a 24-nautical-mile zone measured from the baseline. (Basically 12 + 12 nm)
• This zone is not part of the territory of the country, but the country can claim some specific rights for some specific purposes.
• Within this zone, the country can claim rights for customs, immigration, fiscal, and health enforcement purposes.

(d) Exclusive economic zone (EEZ) 

• The exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of a country extends up to 200 nautical miles measured from the baseline. (Basically 12 + 188 nm)
• Within this zone, the country can claim exploration and exploitation of the marine resources for its own commercial purposes.
• Exploration and exploitation of the marine resources means oil and gas exploration, fishing, etc.
• The country can also lay submarine pipelines and cables.
• When EEZ overlaps between two neighboring countries, they mutually agree on a limit (which will be, of course, less than 200 nm for each country).

(e) Continental shelf 

• The continental shelf (CS) of a country extends up to 350 nautical miles measured from the baseline. (Basically 12 + 350 nm)
• Within this zone, a country can claim seabed mining and conduct marine scientific research.
• The term “continental shelf” is the area of seabed around a large landmass where the sea is relatively shallow compared with the open sea.
• It typically extends from the coast to a depth of 100–200 meters.

(f) Right to innocent passage

• Innocent passage is a concept in the law of the sea that allows for a vessel to pass through the territorial waters of another state, subject to certain restrictions.
• The passages are innocent until you are not engaged in activities like fishing, pollution, weapon practices, spying, etc.
• The submarines & other underwater crafts are required to navigate on the surface and show their flags.
• Nations can also suspend innocent passage in specific areas of their territorial sea if doing so is essential for their security.

Safety Equipment Survey (SEQ survey)

• Check lifeboat.
• Check the davits of the lifeboat.
• Check the inflatable life raft.
• Check handheld radios, smoke signals, and lifebuoys.
• Check life jackets.
• Check pyrotechnics.
• Check the fire control plan and system.
• Check the fire detection system and firefighting equipment.
• Check pilot ladders.
• Check the IG system, fixed firefighting system & sprinkler system.

Loadline survey

• Check all the access points, their moving parts, gaskets, and watertight packing.
• Check ventilators and air pipes, and their flaps and closing mechanisms.
• Keep the deck free from unnecessary tools lying around.
• Check hatches and booby hatches, their butterfly screws, and weather tightness.
• Check tarpaulins for good condition.
• Check manholes, scuppers, and other similar parts for watertightness.
• Ensure proper working of non-return valves.
• Keep machinery spaces clean.
• All ports under the freeboard deck were strictly checked for watertight integrity.
• Fractures in guardrails and bulwarks must be repaired.
• The deckline, loadline marks, draft marks, etc., should be de-rusted & painted for inspection.
• All safety equipment must be in order.

• It provides guidance to the vessel in case of an offshore spill.
• It is required by the USCG for vessels carrying certain quantities of chemicals or refined petroleum products.
• It contains general particulars of the ship, a list of zones that the vessel intends to operate in, and information about the person or authorities that are to be notified in the case of a spill.
• In a recent article by the USCG, they point out that VRP is not limited to spills; it also includes conditions such as engine casualty, grounding, fire, or flooding.

• Docking plan
• General arrangement plan
• Capacity plan
• Shell expansion plan
• Mid-ship section
• Assembly drawing of propeller shaft, propeller, and stern frame
• Antenna rigging plan
• LSA plan
• Fire control plan

1. Position of drainholes, seachest, and other underwater components
2. Structural stability points (where the ship can be set onto keel blocks)
3. Layout & design of the ship
4. Location of propeller, shafts, etc.

A docking plan is a document that is prepared for every ship during its design phase. It contains all the information required to bring a ship to dry dock.

Harmonized system of survey and certification.

• The purpose of HSSC is to simplify and systematize the survey and certification of ships.
• Its purpose is also to reduce the total number of surveys by conducting various surveys together.
• HSSC covers all the certifications under SOLAS, MARPOL & ILLC.

• Type B ships are ships over 100 m in length that are assigned, with freeboard, less than that required normally, when the flag state administration is satisfied that she meet the rules related to the protection of crew and single compartment damage stability.
• The hatch covers are to be steel & weathertight.
• The ships may be called B-60 or B-100 ships.

B-60: In a type-B ship, the reduction in freeboard is increased by 60% of the total difference between Type A & Type B freeboard values.

• The ship must meet single-compartment damage stability requirements.
• Most of the large Panamax & Capesize bulk carriers are B-60.

• The steps should be made of hardwood and in one piece.
• The steps should be horizontal and should rest on the ship’s side.
• The last four steps should be made of rubber.
• The 5th step from the bottom should be a spreader. It should be a minimum of 180 cm.
• Maximum 9 steps are allowed between 2 spreaders.
• The steps should be slip-resistant.
• Side ropes should be a minimum of 18 mm in diameter.
• The gap between side ropes should not be less than 40 cm.
• The step should be 115 mm wide and 25 mm thick.
• The steps should be equally spaced, and the distance between each step should be not more than 35 cm and not less than 31 cm.
• It should be marked about height at every meter.

1. Fire drill
2. Abandon ship drill

              → Each crew member shall participate at least once every month.

              → The drills shall take place within 24 hours of the ship leaving a port if more than 25% of the crew have not participated in abandon ship drill and fire drill in previous month.

              → Each lifeboat shall be launched at least once every three months during abandon ship drill. For freefall, it is at least once every six months.

3. Man overboard drill – at least once every month.
4. Emergency steering drill – at least once every three months.
5. Oil spill drill – every one month.
6. Enclosed space entry & rescue drill – every two months.
7. Flooding, collision & grounding drill – every six months.
8. Security drill (ISPS drill) – at least once every three months.

• Vessel name / IMO number
• All emergency alarms and signals
• Emergency duties of all crew and personnel on board
• Person responsible for LSA/FFA maintenance
• Substitutes for the person in charge
• Master’s signature
• Location of the muster station and SOPEP gear

• General
• Safety and environmental policy
• Designated person
• Resources and personnel
• Master’s responsibility and authority
• Company’s responsibility and authority
• Operational procedures
• Emergency procedures
• Reporting of accidents
• Maintenance and records
• Documentation

• It is the guidelines set by the master to ensure safe navigation and operation of the ship at sea, at port, or at anchor.
• It contains a very wide aspect of navigation and rules of conduct for the officers.
• Standing orders are to be followed at all times by the officer on duty and duly signed by every officer on board.

Air-polluting substances

• Sulphur oxide (SOx) & Nitrogen oxide (NOx)

Ozone-depleting substances

• Chlorofluorocarbon (from AC)

Greenhouse gases

• Carbon dioxide (CO₂), Methane (CH₄), etc.

International medical guide for ships

• It provides guidance to the first-aiders for diagnosis & treatment of seafarers on board ship.
• It contains information for different types of symptoms, their diagnosis, and treatment. It has 33 chapters.
• The last chapter, i.e., the 33rd, contains information on the ship’s medicine chest.

Who issues the IMGS?

International Maritime Health Association (IMHA)

• Each ship is required to carry a medicine chest, under which certain medicines are required to be carried.
• It contains a range of medicines for most common emergencies.
• The medical chest is prescribed by the competent authority, taking into account factors such as the number of persons on board and the nature and duration of the voyage.

• It decides the quantity of medicine to be carried.
• It depends on various factors like the number of crew, duration of voyage, etc.
• There are 3 scales/categories:

                   Category A: for all ocean-going vessels.

                   Category B: for which it goes 150 NM from the nearest land.

                   Category C: harbor vessels, crafts, lifeboats & liferafts.

The medicine, medical stores, and appliances, and their records are to be inspected once in 12 months by the Port Health Officer.

30 chest compressions & 2 rescue breaths.

• Apart from the flag state requirement, the company also has its own requirements for medicine to be carried on board.
• Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) manual is provided on the ship by the company as part of the ISM code.
• The HSE manual specifies the exact quantity of medicines to be maintained on board.

• To separate oil from water.
• To give an alarm if the oil content is higher than 15 ppm.

a) Testing requirements

• Testing by ship staff: By entering the data manually and comparing the result with the approved test condition.
• Annual testing in the presence of the class: During the annual class survey, it is tested in the presence of the class surveyor. The printout of the result will be signed & stamped by the surveyor, and it has to be kept on board for records.
• Testing for certification: Testing to be carried out on board in the presence of the class.

b) Documents required for loadicator

• Loadicator approval certificate.
• Class approved the loadicator manual.
• Class approved the loadicator test condition.

• The Code of Safe Working Practices is published by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), U.K.
• It provides guidance on improving health and safety on board vessels.
• It highlights the safety management & statutory duties.

Bilging is the condition where the hull is damaged due to grounding, collision, etc., and water enters the hull, which is free to flow in and out of the tank.

a) Initial survey is held on a new ship or when a new device is added to an existing ship.

b) Annual survey is held once a year with a leeway of 3 months. It consists of a certificate examination and a visual examination of the ship to ensure it is being maintained in accordance with the regulations.

c) Intermediate survey is held 2.5 years after the previous survey. It is to ensure equipment is in good working condition & fit for service and voyage & is seaworthy.

d) Renewal survey is held before the appropriate certificate is renewed. All certificates, record books, checklists, and manuals are checked.

e) Other surveys are:

• Docking survey
• Damage survey
• Repair survey

1948-82: Inter-governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation

After 1982: International Maritime Organisation (IMO)

a) Assembly

b) Council:- Category A: 10 states with the largest interest in providing international shipping services

                       Category B: 10 states with the largest interest in international seaborne trade

                       Category C: 10 states not elected under (a) or (b) above

c) Maritime Safety Committee (MSC)

d) Maritime Environment Protection Committee (MEPC)

e) Sub-committees

• It deals with Merchant Shipping in India.
• It came to ensure effective maintenance of an Indian marine merchantile ecosystem.