97027 The Questionable Thoroughness of Surveys

27 Jan 1997 MARS

The Questionable Thoroughness of Surveys
Report No. 97027

I recently carried out a survey on board a FoC vessel and discovered a largenumber of defects. Just a few of these defects are listed below.

* oily water separator inoperative

* hatch covers corroded and holed

* absence of rubber gaskets in hatch covers

* leaking double bottom tanks

* draft marks and load lines not readable

* lifeboat launching arrangements defective and inoperative

* lifeboat engines inoperative

Believe it or not, the vessel had a complete set of valid certificatesissued the previous week by a Classification Society on behalf of a FlagState. I think that this reflects very well the attitude of some ownersand Classification Societies with respect to the safety of life at sea.

Return to listing