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Recently there were repeated reports from the ship complaining of poor ship-shore interface at a north African terminal. The subject vessel calls at this terminal frequently and the reported incidents were observed during the first two months of this year. The reports indicated the following problems:
- A leak was detected on the shore flexible cargo hose during pre-discharging pressure test. The ship's staff requested the terminal to replace the leaking hose, which took place within next two hours;
- The terminal staff used only four bolts (instead of 12) to connect the shore reducer to the ship's cargo manifold. The ship's staff refused to accept such an arrangement and insisted that the correct procedures should be followed. The terminal staff reluctantly agreed and put in place the missing bolts without tightening them up. To avoid further delays, the ship's crew completed the work tightening up all the bolts. The incident was reported to the loading master with no apparent reaction from the shore authorities.
- Problems with ship-shore communications were encountered when the master requested suspending discharging operations due to the unberthing operation of another vessel moored ahead. The cargo operations were finally suspended 30 minutes after the first notification;
- The discharging pressure was reduced at the request of the terminal, due to a leakage in the shore flexible hose. The vessel was not advised that the request was as a result of the leakage. Later, the discharge operations were also suspended at shore request. Information about the hose leakage was found during discussions with the terminal staff at a later stage.
Recommendations
- The crew must adhere to the company cargo safety procedures with greater vigilance while in this terminal;
- The crew must be aware that the terminal staff may sometimes act in an unprofessional manner and even demonstrate negligent and unsafe behaviour;
- Double checking of the work quality performed by the staff attending the connection of the cargo hoses is essential;
- The problem with ship-shore communication should be protested from the vessel and requires action from the terminal (replacement of the personnel);
- Any abnormalities either on board or ashore should be immediately reported by the duty watch to the chief officer;
- This office should be informed in order to assist and clarify the issues with charterer.
Conclusion
We should be aware that not all the terminals and their staff are as professional as we would expect them to be. Although international safety standards for oil and gas terminals are specified and should be implemented, we can still meet the situations when those standards are not always maintained in the satisfactory level. The safety awareness of the ship's crew is therefore crucial. It is important that the crew do not compromise when safety issues are involved.
The crew of that particular vessel acted in a very professional manner and never hesitated to take action when it was required.
Editor's note: A true safety culture, and resultant reduction in accidents, can only be achieved when such bold shipboard decisions are fully backed and even appreciated by the management company, as in this case. Well done!
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